This is the third in a three-part series. The first post is here and the second one is here.
We are called to be leaven in our society, but pursuing social change can sidetrack congregations if they are not vigilant. Congregations easily veer away from pursuing Christformation in their members because inner transformation is more challenging than any other calling on the body of Christ.
The pursuit of social transformation is one of the great temptations that draws congregations away from their mission of making disciples (Christformation). Making it their top priority to achieve certain social results puts them on a path to spiritual decay. Some congregations pursue social transformation by engaging in “culture wars”; others try to gain political influence to Christianize their society; others find their identity in helping the needy and others focus on transforming institutions causing systemic damage to society. Congregations may not even be conscious of this distortion of their priorities. They gradually elevate their societal goals above their commitment to discipleship and start to focus on political events, power, influence, fundraising, image, platform etcetera.
If a leader is teaching that this is “our time” to see the kingdom realized in our society then they have already crossed over into spiritual decay. They are forgetting that we always live “outside the camp” (Heb. 13:13) even though we seek equality and security for our citizens. They are forgetting that we live in the overlap of the present age and the age of the kingdom. They have become triumphalists and turned away from the way of the Cross.
Our mission is to walk as Jesus walked and be a light in a dark world as God empowers us to live a kingdom life in community, make disciples and do many works of the kingdom. In other words, our mission is to love God and love others in Christ.
Jesus describes what this looks like in the beatitudes in the Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 5:3-12). He announces to his followers that God will bless the humble (“poor in spirit”), those who mourn, the meek, those who seek righteousness, the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers, and those who are persecuted for righteousness. And the blessing such people receive can be summed up as possession of the kingdom of God (vv. 3, 5, 8, 9, 10). This is the new shape of the New Adams of God, formed in the image of the Second Adam who is Christ. The beatitudes describe the culture of the kingdom and the character of its citizens. To the extent that God gives grace, we transport the glorious goodness of God displayed in these traits into every corner of society. Will this not impact our society and its institutions?
How should we respond to our society when the dominant culture devalues Christians, excludes them from public discourse, denies them basic human rights, or even physically persecutes them? Scripture plainly teaches us what our response should be. In Matthew 5:7 Jesus taught: “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy” (NIV). In Matthew 5:44 (NIV) he taught: “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (NIV). In Luke 6:35 he said: “love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back” (NIV). Paul said: “When we are cursed, we bless; when we are persecuted, we endure it; when we are slandered, we answer kindly” (1 Cor. 4:12-13).
It is encouraging to remember that countless thousands of sincere believers throughout the centuries have died to self in order to be channels of the coming of the kingdom; they have been faithful lights. This is the glory of the church and something that should inspire us and make us proud of our predecessors. Let us emulate them.
