Tag: christianity

A Preposterous Faith

Christ-followers live in an increasingly secular world where we are loudly told our faith is stupid, unbelievable, and pointless, and that we should not voice opinions or vote our beliefs because our views are reactionary and preposterous. These voices blast us with the message to sit down, shut up, and be tolerant.

Wait – what?

Tolerance? As Inigo Montoya would say – I don’t think that word means what you think it means. In our weird, uneducated world, many believe tolerance only works one way, as in (and I have actually been told this): “You need to be kind and tolerant and vote according to MY opinions because I am a victim and I am right. I do NOT have to tolerate YOUR opinions – you are privileged and wrong, so you have no right to speak.”

In the name of a false tolerance and under threat of verbal (and sometimes physical) violence, opponents of Christianity do their best to silence us with shouts, ridicule, and guilt-triggering – which often works because we actually do care about others.

But submitting to this kind of beatdown is not what Scripture teaches. Our faith is magnificent, not preposterous.

We are to love profoundly – not just our friends, but also our enemies. We are to pray for those who hurt us. We are to boldly speak about Christ and live our faith courageously, because here’s the truth: Life is short and eternity is forever. Good news for us, but not so much for the nonbeliever (although they don’t know it). Think a minute – is there anyone you really dislike enough to wish them in Hell? I think not.

In his letter to the Corinthians, Paul said, “I have become all things to all men, so that by all means I might save some.” This is not a call to compromise (or live in “tolerance”) because – of all people! – Paul lived an uncompromising life. Instead, it meant he was contented with a hard life, accepting suffering as a result of speaking boldly about Christ, and continuing – no matter the risk – to make every effort to understand, befriend, teach, and relate to those from all walks of life in an effort to bring as many as possible to his magnificent faith – even his persecutors and jailers. Paul knew that every soul is worth saving.

So be Paul every chance you get. Follow Christ, love others, speak boldly, pray hard, be intolerant when necessary, and live your faith to a preposterous degree. Be magnificent.

Save some.

32 Million

According to a recent Barna Poll, 32 million church-going Christians will fail to vote on November 5, 2024.

No. Words.

Kidding.

I always have words. 

But I am pretty appalled. Because – what does this mean?

32 Million Christians will fail to attempt to correct injustice. Hmmm . . . Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, and plead the widow’s cause. Isaiah 1:17

32 million Christians will, in essence, passively vote for things they don’t want by failing to actually vote their conscience. So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin. James 4:17 (No whining later!)

32 million Christians will fuss about problems with the major parties and whine about flawed candidates. So – Hey! Let he who is without sin among you cast the first stone. All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Do your best – work with what you’ve got.

32 million Christians will fail to impact our incredibly flawed political culture by honoring their legal obligation. Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. Romans 13:1

32 million Christians will stand aside, claiming that God will handle it all. These people do not know their Bible because God acts through His children. For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. Philippians 2:13

The 2020 election came down to an average of 60,000 votes in five states. That’s 300,000 votes. Let me repeat, in case you missed it: 32 million will fail to vote. Correct my math, if you will, but I am pretty sure 32 million swamps 300,000. In spite of what your cynical brain (or your cynical friends) tells you – your one little vote actually really, really matters.

Yes, both political parties are rife with issues – obviously. Vote, anyway. Select the party that most closely aligns with your Biblical principles and vote. I really don’t care if you feel the election is fixed. Vote. The more overwhelming the numbers, the harder it is to fix – so vote. I also don’t care if you’re mad about the available choices, the corrupt government, or problems in America. Vote, anyway. Actually, I DO care if you’re mad about those things, because that means you have convictions – so why aren’t you voting them?

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is going to be revealed to us. Romans 8:18

Remember who you are and set the example.

You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16

You are an overwhelmingly blessed child of our wise, passionate, and eternally loving God. Read your Bible. Educate yourself about what matters to Him and vote.