Being Avoided by Those Who Disagree with Us
Bereans,
I recall reading a survey as part of a project when I was in college (30+ years ago!) that asked people about their preferences for commercial property near their neighborhood. The vast majority said that they preferred a church to locate in their neighborhood over a bar. It was assumed that the church would bring a good influence and that the bar would bring a bad influence.
Sadly, about 7-8 years ago, I read an article (I believe it was in the Alliance Defending Freedom magazine) about the growing opposition in many cities to churches building near neighborhoods. People were protesting and petitioning their local zoning boards to deny churches the necessary zoning permits because they would bring a bad influence. Of course, their complaints were against evangelical churches, and the "bad" influence was "intolerance" of diverse lifestyles.
The righteousness of the church is something the world hates because fallen men and women actually resist the preserving influence of the salt and the guiding influence of the light that the church of Christ brings to them (Matthew 5:13-16). Some surveys over the past year highlight this growing phenomenon of backlash against the righteous influence of the church. These surveys revealed that those who are liberal are more than twice as likely to cut off a relationship (family, friend, neighbor) over political or religious differences than those who are conservative. One survey revealed that double the number of liberals than conservatives would refuse to share a college dorm room with a conservative than vice versa! They simply do not want to consider that their worldview may be in error.
We should not be surprised about this because Scripture is very clear: Those in darkness hate the light because the light exposes their darkness. (See 1 John 2:9-11; Ephesians 5:6-14). (Note: I am not saying that all "conservatives" are genuine believers, but a genuine believer will identify as "conservative" based on the criteria these surveys use to classify people. For example, a conservative would be someone opposed to abortion and same-sex "marriage" while a liberal would support those issues.)
Though unbelievers do not want to hear the truth, believers must evangelize the lost. We are to be in the world, but not of it. We cannot disengage simply because we disagree with their worldview or because they don't like us. They will never hear unless someone proclaims the gospel to them (Romans 10:14-15). The worst thing they can do is remove themselves from the sources of truth that they need most.
References
https://www.tampafp.com/survey-tolerant-liberals-more-likely-than-conservatives-to-ditch-friends-over-politics/
https://thepostmillennial.com/most-college-democrats-would-not-share-a-dorm-with-a-conservative
I recall reading a survey as part of a project when I was in college (30+ years ago!) that asked people about their preferences for commercial property near their neighborhood. The vast majority said that they preferred a church to locate in their neighborhood over a bar. It was assumed that the church would bring a good influence and that the bar would bring a bad influence.
Sadly, about 7-8 years ago, I read an article (I believe it was in the Alliance Defending Freedom magazine) about the growing opposition in many cities to churches building near neighborhoods. People were protesting and petitioning their local zoning boards to deny churches the necessary zoning permits because they would bring a bad influence. Of course, their complaints were against evangelical churches, and the "bad" influence was "intolerance" of diverse lifestyles.
The righteousness of the church is something the world hates because fallen men and women actually resist the preserving influence of the salt and the guiding influence of the light that the church of Christ brings to them (Matthew 5:13-16). Some surveys over the past year highlight this growing phenomenon of backlash against the righteous influence of the church. These surveys revealed that those who are liberal are more than twice as likely to cut off a relationship (family, friend, neighbor) over political or religious differences than those who are conservative. One survey revealed that double the number of liberals than conservatives would refuse to share a college dorm room with a conservative than vice versa! They simply do not want to consider that their worldview may be in error.
We should not be surprised about this because Scripture is very clear: Those in darkness hate the light because the light exposes their darkness. (See 1 John 2:9-11; Ephesians 5:6-14). (Note: I am not saying that all "conservatives" are genuine believers, but a genuine believer will identify as "conservative" based on the criteria these surveys use to classify people. For example, a conservative would be someone opposed to abortion and same-sex "marriage" while a liberal would support those issues.)
Though unbelievers do not want to hear the truth, believers must evangelize the lost. We are to be in the world, but not of it. We cannot disengage simply because we disagree with their worldview or because they don't like us. They will never hear unless someone proclaims the gospel to them (Romans 10:14-15). The worst thing they can do is remove themselves from the sources of truth that they need most.
References
https://www.tampafp.com/survey-tolerant-liberals-more-likely-than-conservatives-to-ditch-friends-over-politics/
https://thepostmillennial.com/most-college-democrats-would-not-share-a-dorm-with-a-conservative
A New Song
We will introduce a new congregational song this Sunday. Our music team selected this for its themes of praise to the ascended Christ in all the glory of His throne. The ladies participating in the Hebrews study will be able to relate to the mention of the angels encircling the throne. The second verse emphasizes how the humility of the Son, giving His life as a sacrifice for sinners, should bring about a resounding response of praise from those He saves. The final verse calls for a symphony of voices from all the nations to sing eternal praises to our Lord! Our desire is for this song to become a beloved anthem of the saints at BCC. Listen to it a few times so you'll be ready to sing it this Sunday.
"All Hail the King of Heaven"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jkCF19Si8g4
Grace and peace to you,
J.W.
"All Hail the King of Heaven"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jkCF19Si8g4
Grace and peace to you,
J.W.
Recent
Archive
2024
2023
January
March
April
May
August
September
October
November
2022
September
October
November