How to Show Christian Charity Whilst Being Hated by the World

Undoubtedly, secularists are increasingly hostile against The Gospel and Christians. There’s no shortage of politicians, commentators, personalities and other assorted talking heads employing vicious rhetoric, inclining many hearts to view believers with utter contempt. Much of this is due to the manner in which they’re presenting Christians, using loaded terms such as “bigoted”, “intolerant”, “hateful”, “deplorable”, “racist”, “homophobe” and the like.

These classifications are completely euphemistic – therein lies the whole purpose of such name calling. Christ’s disciples are supposed to be human waste in the eyes of anyone who isn’t a believer.

The question is how to minister to those who are increasingly turning against Christianity?

Historically speaking, such hostility against The Faith is not new. Anyone who reads the Gospels, Acts and some church history will note that disdain and outright persecution of Christ and his followers has been a reality since the beginning. Yet in the midst of such fiery antipathy the Good News continued and continues to spread. How so?

The answer lies in not reciprocating the world’s hatred.

Christ makes this explicitly clear when he teaches that Christians ought to love their enemies and pray for those that persecute them. (Matthew 5:43-48) This is an important personal reminder: consider that not a few non-secular persons will, intentionally or unintentionally, influence us to view sinners as abhorrent people, worthy of our scorn, instead of lost folk needing redemption. We mustn’t forget that we were once alienated from God because of our own sin. (Colossians 1:21-23) It took a loving Christian or Christians insisting we hear the Gospel regardless of our antipathy toward them. Imagine if they would have come to despise us instead – what then?

A last word: Not repaying the world’s disdain shouldn’t be conflated with a call to refrain from discerning and denouncing sinful, malicious activity. (John 7:24; Titus 2:15) Some have come to advance the erroneous idea that non-judgment is a virtue, a demonstration of not repaying evil with evil (in truth, refraining from judging at all is a virtual impossibility), when all it is is cowardice in disguise. Also, loving one’s enemies doesn’t give a sinner permission to abuse Christians.

Sermon: An Ode to Christian Responsibility

Description: We live in an age where most will take credit for doing good. However, when most fall short, they seek to blame others for their misdeeds. This is a hypocrisy that shouldn’t be a part of a Christian’s character. In this message, we visit Matthew 25 in order to learn from Christ how to assume responsibility with the things God has given us, being good stewards and reaping the benefits of being responsible people.

Podcast: Modern Society is Built on Fakery

Description: We examine the multitude of ways modern society has exalted that which is fake. From carefully curated social media posts with flattering pictures which tell a false tale of happiness to the vanity that is glorified through Hollywood productions, modern culture is an expert on producing and consuming that which isn’t real. And the worst part of it is that many whom are a part of the religion of fakery cannot diagnose why they are constantly despondent. In this episode we discover why this is so and the Biblical remedy to one of the worst ills of contemporary society.

Sermon: Christian Love vs Secular Love

Description: We return to Titus 2 in order to examine the differences between how Christianity defines love and how sinners define love. In essence, Christian love is superior because it is God personified. Secular “love” is hedonism repackaged. In this message we detail how it is imperative to reject the world’s redefinition of love and put godly love into practice.

Sermon: When Christians Imitate Sinners Instead of Christ

Description: We visit Titus chapter 2 and examine how believers are called to imitate Christ and then model such maturity unto others. With the increasing secularization of Christianity in the West, this order has been abandoned in favor of a sinful inclination – namely, the imitation of all that is wicked and contrary to Biblical godliness.

Jesus Christ: A Grand Mirror

Who, in their right mind, would eschew being praised by the public? Why wouldn’t a person desire to be lauded and applauded by the masses – even if it meant sacrificing one’s soul? This is one of the central themes promoted by secular culture. It’s most visible personalities routinely demonstrate this “morality on the sacrificial altar for fame” mentality. Why is it that Christians, who are called to adopt a more sublime mindset, fall for the trap?

Sermon: How to Endure in a Time of Increasing Iniquity

Description: In lieu of a podcast episode, I’ve decided to post the recorded audio of a message I recently shared with our church’s youth group. It is based on Jesus’ prophetic words found in Matthew 24, seeking to demonstrate how Christ’s counsel to endure and grow in Christian behavior and thought in the midst of growing deceit and wickedness is as relevant as ever. I apologize for the quality of the audio. Although it is intelligible, it isn’t as pristine as I would prefer it to be. (That’s the musician of 20+ years speaking in me.) We are in the process of upgrading the recording equipment so that we can continue to post these messages regularly. I pray that the listener will be edified and informed through this sermon and will share it with others needing a word of encouragement and examination of the times.

Tucker Carlson’s Solution for Adolescent’s Smartphone Vice is Lunacy and Contradictory

I’ve almost finished reading Tucker Carlson’s new book, Ship of Fools. In said publication, the author rightly denounces Republicans, Democrats, conservatives, liberals, the punditry class and special interest groups for supporting certain policies that have had and continue to have deleterious effects on the US population. A good amount of the book is a breath of fresh air for those of us who continue to remind others that blind loyalty to party and indiscriminate acceptance of mainstream narratives, instead of faithful adherence to first principles, is what has led to America’s precipitous moral, social and political decline.

Nevertheless, a good portion of Carlson’s book reveals how flawed the talk show host’s views are with respect to free market economics, certain conservative ethics and his proposed solutions for America’s ills.

Intolerance is a Virtue

Historically, toleration has been understood to mean different things within two particular contexts – one personal and one political. In a personal sense, a tolerating person is said to be an individual that valiantly resists bad times and evil influences. In a political sense, toleration has meant that society as a whole permits ideological differences within itself with the implicit understanding that no harm should come to those that express differences of opinion. Both definitions have been contorted into a newfangled and pernicious notion that reeks of malicious intent.

How Manly Men Run the Risk of Becoming what They Criticize

I’m all for personal, orderly independence. This being said, it is imperative that the Christian temper his enthusiasm for liberty lest it become an idol which replaces Christ’s position on the throne of the heart. Allow this writer an explanation.