The world is becoming increasingly polarized, yet modern progressive thought is really no different than the Socratic thought in ancient Greece, where those claiming to be Enlightened thought it was their responsibility to drag everyone who didn’t agree with them into their Elitist run Utopian dream.  “Woke” is just another word for “Enlightened.”  It is ironic, since the Bible teaches that it is those who, by Holy Spirit’s help, understand God’s Word and respond in repentance and receive Salvation who are truly enlightened. 

There are so many angry people, accusing others of forcing their views on them while doing the very same thing to everyone else in the process. Social media is full of arguments in comment sections of posts, where people who don’t even know each other are slinging accusations and justifying their actions and beliefs. I think the real enemy is dividing and conquering by getting us to focus on the symptoms instead of the root problem, because if we never recognize the problem, we will never find our way to the Remedy.  

Christians have to realize that preaching to someone who isn’t a Christ follower about the evils of abortion, sexual perversions, lying, addictions, or any other sin, whether or not they affect our freedoms, educational choices, and other consequences, is a bunny trail that leads away from the solution.  Browbeating someone with the 10 Commandments is ineffective because if they do not have a healthy fear of God, they don’t care, and we can’t make them. Discussions should be civil and thought provoking, not heated or sarcastic.  

The Bible said that it is God’s kindness that leads us to repentance.  (Romans 2:4)

Are you familiar with the initials B.T.C. ?

Some of you might connect it to the expression, “Be The Change” and how we so often think that if we want to see generosity, we need to be generous.  If we want to see goodness, show goodness, etc.  It’s a sort of “Lifestyle Evangelism” that is great when practiced with the gospel, but on its own it is pretty much worthless because if others are trying to duplicate our good fruit without the help of the Holy Spirit, it is what the Bible calls “dead works.”  There has to be faith.  For at least the past couple decades, Lifestyle Evangelism has been a popular idea, but more people are leaving the Church than becoming part of the Church.

So what do we need to do?  

B.T.C. is also an abbreviation for Bitcoin, which is a digital or “crypto” currency.  According to their website, “At a deeper level, Bitcoin can be described as a political, philosophical, and economic system” (Bitcoin.com).  Hmmm. To trade Bitcoin, you have to invest.  Imagine that.  God’s Kingdom is like that too.  It requires investment, only instead of linking your bank account to your Bitcoin “wallet,” to grow your Kingdom “wallet” you have to invest in people.  

Lets coin a new phrase. B.T.C. = Build. The. Church.

In order to change our world, we have to get back to the basics of recognizing that we are called to love people where they are at and lead them to Christ.  Ignore how they dress, talk, and ‘identify.’  Those are peripheral issues, and if we argue over the individual sins, we will lose the opportunity to love the person.  Loving them means developing a relationship in which we can share Christ.  If they love Christ, and receive the Holy Spirit who brings conviction and discernment and sanctification, true repentance will lead to a changed life (one step at a time).  This is one of the things I have learned through motherhood. I can require that my children behave according to my standards, and they may to keep the peace, but if their hearts aren’t in the right place, they aren’t any closer to heaven.

Unsaved people who act right are still unsaved people. God loved the world–you and me–when we were yet sinners, and Jesus died for us so that we could be saved. And so that they, who are still His enemies, can repent and be saved. After they are saved–That’s when we hold others to God’s standards.  Discipleship teaches and models what it looks like to follow Christ, coupling the study of God’s Word with obedience to God’s Word.  

If you do not know who Rosaria Butterfield is, I recommend reading her short biography on her website: rosariabutterfield.com. Her story is compelling, explaining how, as a lesbian activist, she used her position as a writer in the world of academia, and her distaste of religious people, to speak out against Promise Keepers. A pastor answered her article with an invitation and friendship, and today Rosaria’s life has been completely transformed because she chose to embrace God’s love and love Him back. Her journey is inspiring.

People are not our enemies. The devil and the world system are. We have to get back to the gospel, and we need to develop a mindset that it is our calling to build the church. It is our first job, no matter what our occupation.

Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary:

“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;

if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.

In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Romans 12:17-21

---

Photo by Jukan Tateisi on Unsplash