Christians, especially those who live in the United States, have become so used to religious freedom and the general acceptance of Christianity, that many have been lulled into a degree of complacency. It’s no wonder, that recent encroachments on freedom of speech, may seem shocking and unfair. But, what’s perhaps more disconcerting, America finds itself in a culture that “cancels” everything and eventually, the church will have to take up a position on the front lines to serve Christ and defend His community of faith.
We all have heard recently, terms like “Snowflake”which implies a person or persons that are fragile, easily damaged, or emotionally volatile. The great irony, is the very people that we assign into this category are systematically defeating Biblical principles that were once considered morally right and acceptable and now are considered morally repugnant by many Americans.
Gone are the days of cordially discussing such differences. People would rather unfriend, condemn, attack and demonize individuals, businesses, and churches for believing and practicing values contrary to their own. Instead of fearing the effects the cancel culture, what if we recognize that Almighty God maybe trying to get our attention and compel us to act.
Scripture tells us in 1 Peter 3:15-17 “But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God's will, than for doing evil.”
There are those that would have you to believe, that somehow, this is an unintentional consequence of modern society. A mere fad that capriciously made its way into the mainstream psyche by happenstance. No my friends, this is spiritual warfare and it’s very much intentional.
So how does God say we should respond to satanic attacks and those who would seek to do us harm? The Bible says in Proverbs 24:24-25 “Whoever says to the wicked, "You are in the right," will be cursed by peoples, abhorred by nations, but those who rebuke the wicked will have delight, and a good blessing will come upon them.” God is telling us in this passage of scripture, that the church needs to be active rather than passive in its faith. We must prayerfully mobilize and stand united in our defense of the Gospel.
John 15:18-19 “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.”One’s beliefs determine how one lives. But in a culture that divides people politically, racially, and religiously, you can be “canceled” just for being associated with a particular group or belief.
When the church and its believers are being attacked, the doctrine of the church is naturally the root cause or basis for the attack. But how many churches today make clear to their members where they stand on certain issues like racism, sexuality, abortion, and more? Bible believing churches must be able to articulate why they believe biblical truth and morality are absolute and true descriptions of reality.
The hope of the church is found in Christ Himself. Hope is what allows the church to live beyond the chaos while amid the chaos. It’s also what allows followers of Christ to endure when it seems like their efforts are in vain. They are not and although throughout history leaders have tried, God’s Word is eternal and Jesus Christ cannot be canceled.