Are you changing the world?

My study in the book of Daniel has led me to think deeply about how we live in the middle of a post-Christian, Babylonian culture. Some of our methods are good, some of them not so much.

About 15 years ago the missional conversation hit the church like a run-away train. I read everything I could get my hands on and it had a strong impact on me and the way that I think about the church. One of the passages in Scripture that was frequently mentioned was Jeremiah 29. Now that I am digging into Daniel I have an even greater appreciation for the message that Jeremiah was communicating to the Jewish exiles who were living in Babylon.

4 “Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, to all the exiles whom I have sent into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: 5 Build houses and live in them; plant gardens and eat their produce. 6 Take wives and have sons and daughters; take wives for your sons, and give your daughters in marriage, that they may bear sons and daughters; multiply there, and do not decrease. 7 But seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the LORD on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare.

The Jews were living in captivity to a empire that was 100% at odds with their Jewish faith and way of life. Yet, God was telling them that they are to embrace everyday life, put down deep roots, pray for the people and the culture all around them. Daniel was not asked to fight a culture war. To use a phrase from the New Testament, Daniel was called to live as salt and light. As American Christians we don’t always choose the path that Daniel took. Perhaps more importantly, we don’t always seek to walk in the ways of Christ. Here is what I mean…

Changing The World Through A Culture War

1. You watch the news too much
2. You feel anxious, worried, and angry
3. You are trying to treat the symptoms of the world’s problems
4. People on the other side of the political aisle don’t sense that you care about them
5. Your social media comes across as harsh
6. You are focused on winning arguments
7. You talk about politics more than Jesus
8. You see the people in this world as your enemies
9. You are not involved in the life of the church and you don’t think it is important when it comes to changing the world
10. You don’t pray very much
11. You are not discipling anyone

Changing The World By Following Jesus

1. You immerse your heart and mind in the Word of God
2. You feel hopeful because God is in control
3. You know the key to change is the gospel impacting the human heart
4. People on the other side of the political aisle sense that you love them
5. Your social media comes across as kind and gracious
6. You are more concerned about winning people than arguments
7. You talk about Jesus more than politics
8. You see the people in this world as your mission field
9. You are actively involved in the life of the church for the good of the world
10. Your life is filled with prayer and especially for the lost and hurting world
11. You are discipling others

11 Beloved, I urge you has sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. 12 Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation. -1 Peter 2:11-12