What is a Christian to do?

Jane and I recently had the privilege of being on a roundtable podcast with several other Christian leaders. The subject was “How Should Christians Engage Their Culture?” It was an extremely relevant discussion. Another way of asking this question would be, “What’s a Christian to do?”

We live in a culture that is not always supportive or “friendly” toward those of us who are committed to and passionate about our faith. “Hot button” issues like abortion, gay rights, and transgenderism sometimes divide even those who count themselves as Christian, but almost certainly set us apart from most of the non-believing world. Dozens of divisive topics like these put us at odds with our society and create an adversarial relationship that often ends with Christians disengaging from their culture instead of engaging with it.

Although it is undoubtedly vital to insulate ourselves from the worldview of those who don’t know Christ, it is not acceptable to isolate ourselves from those who hold different values and beliefs. There has been a trend during the last half-century, especially in evangelical circles, to withdraw as much as possible from the world to keep ourselves and our families “safe.”

The World Isn’t Safe

Here’s the thing: The world isn’t safe. It isn’t now, nor has it ever been, a safe place for Christians. From the first century, when almost all the apostles faced martyrdom and lions devoured Christians, through the many centuries when God’s remnant sacrificed their lives to defend God’s Word’s, declaring the true gospel has never been comfortable in this world. In the twenty-first century, in many parts of the world, you can lose your life or be imprisoned just for declaring Jesus Christ as your Savior. Even in the land of the free and home of the brave, prejudice, shunning in the workplace, and disenfranchisement by family and friends can affect a passionate Christian.

According to Mosaic’s pastor Erwin McManus, we have preached and taught far too long that being in the center of God’s will is the safest place to be. He believes that it is the most dangerous place to be. The famous quote from C.S. Lewis’s “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe” sums it up as brilliantly as anything: “Safe?” said Mr. Beaver. “Who said anything about safe? ‘Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good. He’s the King, I tell you.”

For those who want to continue believing that God’s desire for us on earth is to be safe, may I cautiously remind you that being in the center of God’s will cost Jesus His life. It also cost Peter and Paul theirs. It has cost countless missionaries like Jim Elliot their lives. Many have been tortured, burned alive, drawn and quartered, boiled in oil, beheaded, crucified, and drowned. Living on the edge for Christ is not safe.

So, what is a Christian to do?

So, what is a Christian to do? It depends on whether your highest priority is to be safe, accepted, and blend in, so as not to be identified. If that’s your goal, it will be easy to accomplish. Just don’t take a stand for the truth, don’t share your faith, and adopt the lifestyle of those around you. 

But, if you desire to make an impact for the Kingdom of God, to be used by the Savior to influence others to be drawn to Jesus, and to one day hear the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant,” you’re in for a ride…a wild ride!

You will be described as radical, a maverick, a troublemaker, a Jesus Freak, or worse. You’ll be laughed at, belittled, frowned upon, shunned, and you might even lose friends and family. You will certainly reduce the number of Facebook and Instagram friends who follow your posts. Jesus reminded us that they hated Him and would hate us, too. 

No Pity Parties

This realization shouldn’t lead to a pity party, though. This reality isn’t permission to have a persecution complex. It is simply a statement of fact: Those who live “all in” for Christ will ultimately be “all out” from the world. You cannot be friends with both. You cannot serve two masters. We must live our lives sold out to Jesus and let the chips fall where they may. We don’t obsess about what people think. Instead, we search for ways to live our lives in a way that demonstrates our extreme and total devotion to the Lord. That’s what a Christian is to do!