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| Garrett Kell, Pastor Del Ray Baptist Alexandria Va |
America is facing turbulent
times. Political unrest is unceasing. The racial divide
is deepening. Fear and frustration swirl frantically.
This leads to only one
logical conclusion: It’s a wonderful time to be a Christian.
Christians are uniquely
equipped to thrive in tumultuous times, not because we are great, but because
our God is. As we consider the darkness of our days, I’d like to share
five reasons I think it is a wonderful time to be a Christian in America.
1.
People are intrigued by real Christians.
Whether it be through media stories,
political reports, or comedy sets, “evangelical Christians” are characterized
as whiny, entitled children. We are perceived as bigoted hate-mongers looking
down on others while blinded to our own shortcomings. We are seen as outdated,
overrated, and irrelevant.
Yet, when someone meets an
actual Christian these days, they often are intrigued.
Our convictions are peculiar, but
the gentleness and respect with which we hold them is refreshing (1 Peter 3:15). We don’t demonize those we
disagree with, but treat them with charity, as we want them to treat us (Matthew 7:12). We engage with humility because we
know that we too are imperfect and need God to change us as well.
“The peace Jesus provides is
strong enough to hold back the gates of hell, and weather the storm we
face today.”
Our community is also peculiar. When
they observe the church, they find a people who are not naturally united. We
come from different cultures, vote for different candidates, march for
different causes, and often have little in common — except Jesus. When
people spend time with us, they perceive a love marked by patience,
charity, and heavenly-mindedness.
Now, not everyone will like real Christians
when they meet them. But God’s word promises that he will use our love to
change people’s opinion of us and (more importantly) of our God:
Keep your conduct among
[non-believers], so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see
your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation. (1 Peter 2:12)
If Christians will engage their
neighbors with courageous, humble, honest, servant-hearted love, people
will be pleasantly surprised.
2.
Christians have the answer for racial reconciliation.
The rock of racial unrest has been
rolled over in our country. Out from the darkness have crawled
sorrowful reminders that our progress is incomplete. The anger and apathy that
swirls around our brokenness tempts many to despair.
Yet Christians know Jesus provides a
better way. On the one hand, we cannot simply say Jesus is enough and
expect peace. The issues are far too complex and wounds too deep for a
superficial balm. The hard work of praying, fasting, listening, learning,
confessing, repenting, forgiving, and changing is required.
White brothers and sisters ought to show love by learning
about the deep roots of social, institutional, and communal
injustices that affect many today. Read the Scriptures
alongside historical books that recount the black experience
in America. Talk about what you are reading with African-American
friends and include other minority friends in the discussion. Don’t be
defensive or quick to make excuses. Listen. Learn. Repent of sin
that is exposed. Empathy is developed when education occurs in the context of
relationships.
Black brothers and sisters, I encourage you toward a resilient
faith. Many of your forefathers endured oppression, were denied membership in
white churches, and grew despite a lack of access to theological education. We
need to see that resilience now. Systems of injustice will not be corrected
overnight, which means that testing will continue. But as tests come, please
ensure that your hearts are being purified and not petrified. White Christians
are not your enemy. Jesus says they are family. The Lord calls us to “hope” all
things, including the best in fellow believers, even when we hurt, confuse, or
disappoint each other.
On the other hand, we must
say Jesus is enough, for he himself is our peace.
[Jesus] is our peace, who has
made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of
hostility. (Ephesians 2:14)
We have already been reconciled in
Christ (2 Corinthians 5:16–20). While
laboring to apply this reconciliation takes hard work, we must remember that he
has made us one — even if we don’t feel like it (Ephesians 4:1–3). The peace Jesus provides
is strong enough to hold back the gates of hell and weather the storm we
face today.
The world does not have
an answer like Jesus. They have no power and no lasting solutions.
But we have an opportunity to show them the unity that Jesus prayed for
and purchased with his blood (John 17:20–21).
At the cross alone, fear mongering,
finger pointing, and apathetic indifference are put to death, and
real reconciliation comes to life.
3.
God has brought unreached peoples to us.
For centuries, the
American church has been praying, raising money, and sending workers to
take the good news of Jesus to people who have not heard. This work is
important and must continue, but we can’t overlook what God is doing
in our own backyard.
God has brought unreached peoples to
us.
“What would happen if Christians
opened their homes and their lives to the strangers who live next to them?”
Though policies
surrounding immigration are debated, the reality of immigration is
not. Tens of millions of legal and illegal immigrants have settled in
the United States. Many have fled war-torn countries and are seeking a
fresh start. Many are seeking hope which cannot be found in Allah or
any other supposed god.
Regardless of your political views,
if you are a Christian, your theological convictions should spur you to
action. What would happen if Christians opened their homes and their lives
to the strangers who live next to them? Showing Christlike hospitality to
Muslim neighbors is essential for them to understand the true message of
Christianity.
I do not say this lightly — we
are positioned to fulfill the Great Commission.
Dispersed peoples and advances
in technology have opened unparalleled opportunities to advance the
gospel. While we are able, we must steward this opportunity and make disciples
among the nations, and by his grace, many are in our backyard.
4. Persecution
is purifying us.
Jesus promised that following
him would be costly. He warned, “If they persecuted me, they will
also persecute you” (John 15:20). Ostracism and
affliction have marked the church since its beginnings. Yet, the United
States has been largely spared this common experience of believers.
Many minority groups have
tragically endured oppression, but as a whole, the church in America has
known freedom to worship Jesus. In fact, public worship has not only been
allowable, but advantageous. Churchgoing opened doors for business, made one
appear trustworthy, and was required for social acceptability.
But the tide is changing. And
as it does, Christians are experiencing increasing pressure from the world
to conform or be conformed. This pressure will expose some so-called
“Christians” as imposters, but for true believers, it will produce maturity.
Pressure from the world pushes
Christians deeper into Christ. As this happens, we will be pruned
and purified. We are forced to search his word to explain our
convictions (1 Peter 3:15). The
importance of prayer becomes undeniable. Political power is exposed as
a mirage. Sin’s offerings are less desirable. Our affections
are reoriented toward heaven.
In his mercy, God uses persecution
to purify our profession of faith to the point that we can honestly
say, “Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I
desire besides you” (Psalm 73:25).
Persecution should never be sought, but when it comes, we can trust that
God will use it for our good.
5.
We are closer to seeing Jesus than ever before.
The hour has come for you to wake
from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed. (Romans 13:11)
Every generation since Christ’s
ascension has clung to this promise. As time has passed, it has only
become truer. Whether Christ will return in our day is yet to be seen, but the
horizon is brightening as the day is darkening. The believer sees this hope
with unveiled eyes and senses the sweetness of approaching glory.
Until now, many of us have gone days
or weeks without even giving thought to the Lord’s return. Our love for the
world has drowned out the need to hope in the world to come.
“Whether Christ will return in our
day is yet to be seen, but the horizon is brightening as the day is darkening.”
Yet, in God’s kindness, today is a
new day. As we grow in our love for Christ, our hearts will be oriented toward
heaven. We will find the chatter of the world emptier and the promises of
heaven fuller.
The Lord’s return cannot leave us
unaffected. Let it move you to prayer for perseverance (Mark 14:38). May it press you to risk all to
reach the unreached (Matthew 24:14). Ready
yourself for your heavenly bridegroom, and let his coming keep you sober,
knowing it could interrupt your next breath (Luke 12:40).
It is a wonderful time to be a
Christian. God is working among all nations, including ours. Let us not despair
or be deceived, but lift our eyes in hope to him who is coming soon.
Garrett
Kell (@pastorjgkell) is married to Carrie, and together
they have five children. He serves as pastor of Del Ray Baptist Church in
Alexandria, Virginia.
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