We have a dichotomy (mutually opposing views) between the World system and the Christian Church system. These two are mutually exclusive; they are governed my different sets of principles. We should not be surprise that the value systems of these two worlds are different. The Church must not feel slighted when the world does not agrees with its values. In John 4:4, John said, “You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than dhe who is in the world. eThey are of the world. Therefore they speak as of the world, and fthe world hears them.” The last part of the verse caught my attention. John told us that the world system is understood and accepted by the world. As such, the Christian worldview is antithetical to the world and its views.
What then is our posture or role in this dialog? We are to speak truth into the world systems even if it is not popular. We should be the counter balance to the world systems. When we are given the opportunity to speak into the lives of others we must not shy away from declaring the truth. Our current generation has moved to a point ignoring difference. The idea of relativity and no losers has begun to silence the voices of truth and conscience. Therefore, when the Church speaks out on an issue and declares what is truth it is branded as hateful and intolerant. Some in the church would be willing not upset the “apple cart” so as to be included in the “in crowd”. We cannot be silent because the truth is not always popular.
The challenges to all those that represent the truth of the Christian worldview are to speak truth even when it is not popular. You might not get the most likes on Facebook or have the most followers on Twitter but you must still speak the truth. I have come to the understanding that John refers to in 1 John 4:6 that because, “we belong to God, and those who know God listen to us. If they do not belong to God, they do not listen to us. That is how we know if someone has the Spirit of truth or the spirit of deception.” Therefore, when those that support the world system do not provide us with a platform we should not be amazed by such actions because we are faced with a dichotomy. We cannot make up the rules since God is the one we please as J.C. Ryle stated, “Beware of manufacturing a God of your own: a God who is all mercy, but not just; a God who is all love, but not holy; a God who has a heaven for everybody, but a hell for none. Such a God is an idol of your own.”
We, the church, must live out the principles of the Bible in our everyday life. It is through our principled living that we will have the authority to speak truth into this world system. I am reminded of Ezekiel, in chapter 33:7, warning to the watchman on the tower. “Now, son of man, I am making you a watchman for the people of Israel. Therefore, listen to what I say and warn them for me.” The Church is the watchman for this world and we must speak truth as God directs us not as the world wishes. Let us speak truth into this world.