This Living room big title caught my attention: “Hobby Lobby-funded Jesus Super Bowl ads can’t hide the hatred fueling the Christian right. » The article castigated the “He understands usas a “bait and switch, trying to lure non-believers with a false message of love and acceptance, and then trick them into joining the MAGA movement.”
The writer notes that the campaign is partly funded by the Green family and claims that “their life mission, aside from getting rich selling cheap trinkets, is to promote their far-right brand of Christianity in the country “. The writer then uses more hateful rhetoric by continuing to accuse the family of hatred.
I can’t imagine she actually met the Green family. If she did, she would have to know that they are the furthest thing from a hateful threat to our country.
A few years ago, I had the privilege of spending time with them before an event in Washington, DC, at which we both spoke. They were remarkably kind, humble and caring. Their extreme generosity has touched millions of lives around the world with compassion and grace.
The day before we met, one of our team members was in our hotel lobby when David Green, the founder of Hobby Lobby, checked in. The receptionist noticed his badge and asked, “Do you work for Hobby Lobby?”
He smiled and replied, “Yes.” »
You are called to this cultural moment
Does seeing such animosity against a family that upholds orthodox and historic Christian beliefs seem disheartening to you? In the face of such growing threats to our faith and our future, do you ever feel overwhelmed and wonder if you can make a difference that matters?
My wife and I were discussing this issue yesterday and she noted: We are not responsible for changing the world, only our part of it. We may not be able to impact “culture,” but we can impact the lives we influence. We are not personally responsible for the direction of our nation, but we are personally responsible for how we interact with the people we encounter today.
God has called me into this ministry to speak truth to the culture. But while I can write words that will be read by a wide audience (for which I am honored and grateful daily), you can actually live biblical truth in a way that will make you the salt and light that your part of our world desperately needs.
In fact, God has given you abilities and influence that He has not given to anyone else. He has called you both to the place where you live and to the times in which you live. If he couldn’t use you in this cultural moment, you wouldn’t experience this cultural moment. He has not charged you to fail, He has charged you to advance His kingdom through your intercession and influence.
What are practical ways to be cultural missionaries today?
One: Expect opposition from those who oppose our Lord.
As the “father of lies” (John 8:44), Satan “has blinded the minds of unbelievers” (2 Corinthians 4:4). Therefore, to quote my wife again, we should expect lost people to behave like lost people. You and I did the same thing before experiencing God’s transforming love and grace.
Jesus was blunt: “If the world hates you, know that it hated me before you” (John 15:18). When we suffer for our Savior, we can choose the example of our spiritual ancestors who, when beaten for their faith, “left the presence of the Sanhedrin, rejoicing that they had been counted worthy to suffer dishonor to because of this name” (Acts 5). :41).
Second: Treat others as Christ treats us.
You and I are no better than those who have not yet experienced the grace of God’s love. So, like Jesus, we must “pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44), forgiving them as we have been forgiven (Colossians 3:13).
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. observed:
Returning hatred for hatred multiplies hatred, adding deeper darkness to an already starless night. Darkness cannot come out of darkness; only light can do that. Hatred cannot drive out hatred; only love can do that.
Third: Share the grace we have received.
When we truly experience God’s love, we cannot be the same. As Pope Saint Clement I (35-99 AD) wrote to the Corinthians:
If we review the different eras of history, we will see that in each generation the Lord offered the opportunity to repent to all those who would turn to Him. When Noah preached God’s message of repentance, all who listened to him were saved. Jonah told the Ninevites that they were going to be destroyed, but when they repented, their prayers won God’s forgiveness for their sins, and they were saved, even though they were not God’s people .
Therefore,
We must obey His sovereign and glorious will and pray in prayer for His mercy and goodness. We should supplicate Him and turn to His compassion, rejecting vain works, strife, and jealousy that lead only to death.
And we should share the gifts of grace we have received, remembering Jesus’ promise:
“It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35).
Will you be “blessed” today?
Thursday’s news to know
Quote of the day
“Witnessing is the deep conviction that the greatest favor I can do to others is to introduce them to Jesus Christ. » —Paul Petit
