The Daily Jot: Having done all, stand

The hostility toward Christianity, fueled by the Supreme Court’s decision redefining marriage, is hitting a stride in America where religious freedom and freedom of speech are also being redefined as hateful and supremacist. Already, the secular anarchists are demanding that the government tax churches like any other business, that Christian chaplains who teach biblical marriage should be removed from the military, and that husbands and wives should be referred to as “partners.” A rainbow cross, for example, signifies the “Queen James” bible, with this description on Amazon: “The Queen James Bible is based on The King James Bible, edited to prevent homophobic misinterpretation.” More is to come for sure.

This display of soft tyranny–where one experiences pressure to not exercise rights such as freedom of speech or religious expression because of fear of retribution by society or the government–has many Christians perplexed. Some want to draw the sword and harshly attack, others–probably most–want to shrink back and cede the ground to the intolerant crowd that demands tolerance. In short, we as Christians must find our war footing. The atmosphere is such that a harsh response only fans the flames of those pointing their hypocritical fingers at Christians who have been labeled religious supremacists, racists, bigots, hypocrites, etc. Too soft a response is surrendering good to evil.

Washington Times contributor Robert Knight warned Christians against complacency in his recent column “The Danger of Complacency”: “Taking leave as “outsiders” might have made sense in an authoritarian regime like ancient Rome, but America was created as a self-governing republic where “we the people” are Caesar. When people of faith shrug and let the God-hating secular left dominate the public square, they’re not only being bad citizens but, as Edmund Burke noted, aiding the advance of evil. Sharing the Gospel and actively engaging in citizenship are not mutually exclusive. Recent events should shake people from complacency and spur them to get more involved in public policy, not less.”

Herein is a dilemma. What is the balance between aggressively fighting a political agenda and showing the light of Christ to a very dark and dying world? We cannot give up. But it is all in how we present ourselves. We need to change the conversation and take a stand or we are going to lose our freedom. In doing so, we cannot be haughty and belligerent, rather we must present the truth in love. That doesn’t mean being submissive and walking around like we are on a different planet. It means we must engage society as Jesus has instructed. Our lack of proper engagement has resulted in this slippery slope of tyranny. Remember Romans 12:21, “Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.” Study the depth of these words and then speak boldly as you ought to speak, and having done all, stand.