Our discussion this past Sunday was prompted by an item in the news recently regarding Carrie Prejean (Miss California). This young woman, a contestant in the Miss USA Pageant, was asked a question regarding the “right” of same-sex couples to marry. Miss Prejean had the courage to answer the question from the heart, and replied that marriage is to be between a man and a woman. Some believe that her honest, non-politically correct answer cost her the Miss USA title.
Prejean said that officials from the Miss California USA pageant were worried that her comments could cost her their contest financial backing; they also tried to prepare her for a number of media interviews by advising her not to discuss her faith, according to the Associated Press. Her sponsors told her that she needs to apologize to the gay community, and that you should not discuss your faith. Prejean had said that she was representing California, and that she represents a majority of people in California. This response pales in comparison to the vile, venomous attacks of Perez Hilton, a pageant judge who is happens to be a homosexual.
I shared with you an article written by David R. Stokes. His article, although related to the Miss California “controversy” dealt primarily with an opinion piece written by a young man named Jonathan Merritt. It was entitled, “An Evangelical’s Plea: ‘Love the Sinner.’” Merritt is a 26-year-old graduate of Liberty University, the school founded by the late Jerry Falwell. Stokes described the essay as “thoughtful and thought provoking.”
The gist of Merritt’s piece was that too often those of us who stand for traditional values express ourselves as angry and mean. Stokes agreed, but proceeded to warn conservative Christians of the dangers of allowing the message of the Gospel (which includes agreeing with God that sin is indeed sin, and a turning away from that sin) to become watered down by political correctness. (I encourage you to read the entire Stokes’ article here.)
As often happens, this “current event” led us into some deep discussion.
It is obvious to most of us that the cultural tide has shifted. We live in an age when people do not wish to put up with sound doctrine, rejecting the truth (see 2 Timothy 4:3-4). We are witnessing the world becoming more and more organized against God (see the commentary for The Truth Process IV, Lesson 4).
Sometimes I feel overwhelmed by what is going on “out there”. How about you? Sometimes it feels like it’s an “us vs. them” battle, or “me against the mob.” Although it may feel like this, I am becoming convinced that this is the wrong perspective.
Who makes up the group we refer to as “them” or “the mob”, or the “secular humanist” or the “pro abortion”, or “gay activist” groups? Are these groups not comprised of individual people? And do we not share something in common with them? Certainly our world views are drastically different, assuming we have not been taken captive through hollow and deceptive thinking (Colossians 2:8). But are they not, just like us, made in the image of God? (Genesis 1:27)
This so important to remember because it impacts the way we look at those who oppose the Christian point of view. When we recognize them as fellow individuals created in the image of God, I believe it becomes easier to see them as “captives”, rather than the “enemy”. I know that I have too often been guilty of feeling (and expressing) anger, frustration, and intense dislike with people like Perez Hilton. When I experience this type of reaction, it’s a strong indication that I am operating in “enemy” mode. In “captive” mode, I am more likely to feel a sense of pity and a longing for their salvation.
Now don’t misunderstand. We must do all that we can to stand against the continuous wave of evil schemes (Ephesians 6:11). We must participate in the political process, speak the truth in love at every opportunity, support financially the organizations that align themselves with God’s truth… But equally, and perhaps more importantly, we must engage the culture – the individuals who constitute the culture. When we engage, we must remember the words of C.S. Lewis –
“There are no ordinary people. You have never met a mere mortal.”
Sunday afternoon, I received an e mail from one of The Truth Process class members. These words capture the essence of our discussion better than I ever could –
"Although I did not share it today, what kept playing in my mind was "Do I really believe that what I believe is really real?"
If I "really believed". I would see others (even haters of the gospel) as not "mere mortals." But I don't. I see them more as my parenthetical comment, and ignore them because I am busy doing church work. I see "Expanding His Kingdom" more as an initiative on a church meeting agenda, than as revolutionizing how I personally look at non-Christians one at a time. I am self-righteousness in the fact that I don't "judge" or "hate" the non-believer, while I miss the greater sins of "unbelief" and "not loving"."
Romans 12:2 comes to mind -
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
In this individual, we see God at work – transforming him by changing the way he thinks.
May it be so with all of us.
In Christ –
John
Soli Dei Gloria
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Amen, and AMEN!
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