Commonality

Jesus died for all, and those who receive Him can experience salvation and enjoy a relationship with God. Peter declared in Acts chapter 10:
(34b) "In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality.
35 But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him.
36 The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ--He is Lord of all--
37 that word you know, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, and began from Galilee after the baptism which John preached:
38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.

This is a concept under the New Covenant, which declared that salvation, as brought to us for Christ, was extended to all who would believe in Him. But, while God invites all to know Him, in our flesh, we are not so charitable; we, like culture at large, become divided in a variety of ways, and that results in a lessened sense of effectiveness for the sake of the gospel.  The enemy is a master of a "divide and conquer" strategy, and we need a strong body of Christ to exemplify Him, not one weakened by division.

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There is an important exhortation in Scripture, in the book of James chapter 2, that is extremely applicable in today's culture. Verse 1 states:
1 My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality.
2 For if there should come into your assembly a man with gold rings, in fine apparel, and there should also come in a poor man in filthy clothes,
3 and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say to him, "You sit here in a good place," and say to the poor man, "You stand there," or, "Sit here at my footstool,"
4 have you not shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?

Later in the chapter, we can read:
8 If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself," you do well;
9 but if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors.

You could say it looks good on paper, but in the end, it is becoming more apparent that initiatives that promote more "inclusive" workplace policies have produced division.  The National Religious Broadcasters Convention this past year even had a workshop devoted to exposing the agenda that claims to be attempting to bring a more equitable workplace.

Quite frankly, it seems to be falling apart.  WORLD Magazine notes that the position or role of "chief diversity officer" "...incurs 40 percent higher turnover than other human resources jobs and saw a 75 percent dip in the number of searches in the past year, according to a new report from the Wall Street Journal."

The article notes that:

Disney CDO Latondra Newton is out after leading the park to end “gendered language” and promoting progressive ideas within movies, leading to a nearly $900 million dollar loss in revenue. 

When it comes to raw dollars and cents, extraneous positions harmful to a company’s bottom line are first to go. After Newton’s exit from Disney, a wave of diversity heads from Netflix, Warner Brothers, and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences left. 

The article goes on to say:

When USA Today chooses a biological male as a “woman of the year,” political leaders grant interviews only to people of one color, and “inclusion” means allowing men to compete in female athletics, it’s no wonder people are more skeptical than ever of what “diversity and inclusion” actually means. 

Furthermore, Harvard Business Review found that “diversity programs” have made little progress since they began, their studies revealing that most are merely designed to “preempt lawsuits by policing managers thoughts and actions” and may actually exacerbate bias due to increased focus on race, gender, ethnicity, or sexuality. 

The writer of the article, Ericka Andersen, also notes, "As Christians, we know God is not partial to any individual based on immutable characteristics, and the Bible consistently commands us against unequal treatment or twisting justice toward the rich, poor, or any other category of people."

The Bible is certainly not opposed to diversity, but also teaches how to live in unity with one another. Alliance Defending Freedom has created a Viewpoint Diversity Score, which is devoted to highlighting how companies can affect the workplace by allowing employees to freely express their viewpoints in a productive way. Its website notes, "Viewpoint Diversity Score brings together leaders from business, civil society, and academia who are committed to preserving the freedom of expression and freedom of religion or belief in the market, workplace, and public square."

A recent article at the website highlights the work of former Vanderbilt University professor and Christian thought leader Carol Swain, who is quoted as saying, “The current diversity training makes people feel miserable. Everyone’s miserable at the end of the training. No one’s better off,” adding, “Instead, we can actually present people with a historical background of discrimination and the law, and then present them with positive principles and training that bring people together and educate them.”  It goes on to say, "Crafted for use in corporations, as well as churches and other groups, Swain’s material was recently adopted by the Tennessee Board of Education, marking a major step forward for the upstart venture."

Swain's comments are taken from an article at The Federalist written by Alliance Defending Freedom Director of Strategic Campaigns and Initiatives Jay Hobbs. He notes:

At least 78 percent of the 50 Fortune 1000 companies evaluated on the Viewpoint Diversity Score 2022 Business Index utilize employee training that undermines trust, respect, and openness in the workplace.

Rex Rogers, President of the international Christian media organization, SAT-7, wrote recently at The Christian Post website on the topic of "diversity, equity, and inclusion," or DEI:

The list of “dos and don’ts” and verbal faux pas are enough to put anyone into a state of social anxiety.

The Christian faith, however, has embraced and practiced the true meaning of diversity, equity and inclusion for some 2,000 years since the birth of the Church recorded in the book of Acts.

True DEI, as I call it, is totally different from the warped version that the world is pushing so hard to force upon us all. True DEI is not living in rebellion and opposition to God’s moral code. It’s living in the freedom that only Christ can give. As Galatians 3:28 says: “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”

Rogers notes:

We won’t be “programmed” by woke DEI practitioners who’ve twisted God’s original plans for His creation. As Christians, we will follow the teachings of Jesus who showed us how to live rightly, how to treat others with compassion and respect, and how to invite others into the most loving, diverse, equal and inclusive body that has ever existed — the Church.

There is a well-known author who has been quoted as saying that you combat discrimination with more discrimination.  Discrimination based on immutable characteristics is blatantly unbiblical - but the answer is not to punish people because of those characteristics.  ADF's Viewpoint Diversity Score website notes that Andrea Lucas, a commissioner on the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, wrote this at Reuters:

A general interest in diversity or "equity" is not sufficient to allow race- or sex-motivated employment actions. Nor are references to societal discrimination, or differences between the composition of a company's workforce and "society," or the company's customer base.

Again, in matters concerning the workplace, the Bible has answers.  I mentioned the plan developed by Christian believer Carol Swain to promote cohesion and effectiveness and to limit divisiveness.  Coca-Cola Consolidated is a company known for its Christian values.  The ADF site states:

On the other hand, businesses that reject narrow-minded ideologies like DE&I and instead embrace viewpoint diversity are better equipped to serve people with diverse values, recruit and retain top talent, and promote a culture of respect and civil discourse. For example, Coca Cola Consolidated is leading the way in an alternative approach to DE&I by emphasizing “teamwork,” “excellence,” and “personal growth” – goals that are attainable for everyone regardless of their background or creed.

The Bible warns against showing partiality. In the words of the late Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., we should judge people by the content of their character, not the color of their skin.  By viewing one another in an impartial way and not drawing conclusions about people based on their race and biological sex, which is all too common these days, we can develop a sense of unity, fairness, and common purpose. 

We are called to walk in love based on the One who gave of Himself so that all might be saved. Our race or sex should not be weaponized to bring division by manipulating circumstance, but we should seek to affirm one another and carry the presence of Christ into human relationships. 

Pushing Christianity Out

Christians should be distinctive in the way that we handle those who oppose us - throughout the world, we see some religious groups that use religion as a club or sword to bludgeon or destroy those with whom they disagree. We can aspire to a higher call - Jesus taught in the Sermon on the Mount, in Matthew 5:
44 But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,
45 that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.

46 For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?
47 And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so?

So, what's going on here?  What is our Lord challenging us to do?  Well, he does not necessarily call us to agree with everyone we meet and interact with - but He does want us to be so concerned for their needs, including their need for a Savior, that we will live a life in front of them and speak the truth so that they will want to come into a knowledge of Him.  Our purpose is not to eliminate opposition, but to win those who are hostile to Christ by living according to the compelling love of God.

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Our Lord has taught us to have a loving, charitable attitude toward those whom we regard as our "enemies," recognizing that they are human beings created by God and people for whom Jesus died. In Romans 12, we find these words:
17 Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men.
18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.
19 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord.
20 Therefore "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head."

I don't think it's too much of a stretch to regard the events of September 11, 2001 as not only an attack on America, but on the principles on which it was established - principles that are consistent with the Scriptures.  You could even extend it to an attack on Christianity.

And, this is not uncommon these days.  I related a conversation last week with Judd Saul of Equipping the Persecuted, which is helping to protect and educate Christians in Nigeria, where brutal attacks are all-too-regular.  Faith Radio airs the Voice of the Martyrs radio program on Saturday mornings at 11:30, bringing you stories from all around the world of Christians who are facing opposition, but who are continuing to trust in the Lord.

Early last month, I brought you an update on the number of violent incidents against Christians in the nation of India. And, recently, the CBN website highlighted a dangerous new strain of thought that threatens to intensify the hostility toward Christianity in this increasingly large nation, where some of our world's most powerful leaders gathered just days ago for the G20 Summit.

The website notes:

Millions of Indians believe the country belongs to Hindus and that all other religions, including Christianity and Islam, must be eliminated from society.

Human rights groups have accused India's Prime Minister and his government of supporting the extremist view. It's led to a surge in violence against Christians often with tacit approval from the central government.

The article told the story of a 16-year-old young man who was recruited by a militant organization called R.S.S., described as "a radical Hindu paramilitary organization." CBN quotes him as saying: "Since I was a Hindu and part of the R.S.S., I became a staunch follower of their Hindu principles, and because of that, killing Christians and pastors became my goal..." It goes on to relate:

He says the R.S.S. singles out Christians because so many Hindus in India are abandoning their faith to follow Jesus Christ. One of the group's early founders said Christians are "anti-national" and "hostile" and should be treated as such.

R.S.S. members often combine religious Hindu education with self-defense classes and exercises.

This young man was dedicated to the cause - that is, until he received a visit from a Christian pastor who shared the gospel with him.  The article says:

"My heart was breaking when I heard that Jesus Christ's blood was sacrificed for me, that Jesus Christ loved me, and He gave his blood for my sins. I dedicated myself to Christ right there and then," Paul said.

Paul now serves as a traveling pastor in remote areas of India's Karnataka state, often referred to as a graveyard of pastors because of the intense persecution Christians face here.

His church is repeatedly attacked by R.S.S. gangs. He's been put in prison for preaching. Yet, it hasn't stopped his ministry.

Out of 1.4 billion people, 80% of those are Hindu and another 15% are Muslim. Christianity is at just over 2 percent, but experiencing growth.   CBN notes...

...human rights and religious freedom advocates say democracy has been in retreat ever since the Hindu-led BJP government and its leader Narendra Modi took power in 2014.

"It's really the most sophisticated government as far as restricting religious freedoms outside of China," said Dr. David Curry, a commissioner on the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom.

USCIRF has documented an unprecedented uptick in violence against Christians under Modi's rule. The majority of attacks are carried out by R.S.S. and other Hindu extremists groups with ties to the prime minister's political party.

Modi is accused of fanning the flames of Hindutva, a radical ideology that teaches only Hindus are true Indians and that all other religions, especially Christians and Muslims, are foreigners who must be removed from society.

Out of 28 states in the country, almost half of them have laws in place prohibiting conversions to another religion besides Hinduism. 

Don Shenk leads a ministry called, The Tide, which uses radio as a tool to reach people inside India. He is quoted by CBN, stating: "It is amazing how Christians are standing firm in their faith..." The article goes on to quote Shenk as saying: "It is amazing the number of people who are being banned from going to the village well, not allowed to purchase foods at the market and endure anywhere from being chased out or being ostracized from family and community to actually being beaten, being killed, having their property destroyed..."  The article states:

Although India's Constitution gives Christians the right to preach, Shenk says the church in India must still be careful.

"Pray for the believers to stand firm in their faith and pray for those who are doing the persecution that their hearts will be changed because we have seen that happen," Shenk said. "A village priest threatened to smash a radio that somebody was using for outreach but as he made those threats he also came close and listened to the radio and he himself embraced Jesus Christ as his savior."

Here we find a radical group that is devoted to eliminating its opposition in a very large, influential country. This is so insidious: in the name of religion, the members of R.S.S. and adherents of Hindutva are systematically silencing, attacking, and even killing their enemies.  And, unfortunately, religious fervor and authoritarianism is destabilizing a pluralistic society. 

Such is not the case for Christianity - even in the U.S., a nation that is built on Judeo-Christian principles, the watchword for Christian believers is to follow the words of the Scriptures - we are called to love our enemies; to love our neighbor as ourselves.  That does not mean that we don't attempt to lead those with whom we disagree to the Lord.  Our purpose is to win them to Christ, not to eliminate them.  We can be very careful to make sure that the influence of the Church is consistent with the mission for which God has placed us here. 

Sovereign In Terror

Romans 8 poses a question:
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?

We can have hope in our hearts because of the steadfast love of the Lord.  We pick up in verse 37.
37 Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.
38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come,
39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Words from Romans 8 were spoken by former President George W. Bush in the service following 9-11 at the National Cathedral.  In Montgomery, I remember standing in front of the Alabama State Capitol in a gathering at which the late Carmen Falcione quoted from that chapter.  We need to be reminded, in times of trial or triumph, of the assurance of God's presence with those who come to Him through our Lord Jesus Christ.  Times of grief and loss can be an opportune time for us to show and share the love of God. 

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We can have hope in the Lord because of His great love for us and faithfulness to His people. Paul experienced that faithfulness, which produced hope in his life; he wrote in 2nd Corinthians chapter 4:
6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.
7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.
8 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair;
9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.
10 We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.

For a young man attending the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, the events of September 11, 2001 were pivotal. He recounts: "I remember a friend of mine came out and said, ‘Did you just hear? A plane crashed into the World Trade Center,’” adding, “So, a plane, I’m thinking, like, a Cessna. We walk up and there’s a TV in the corner of my physics classroom. And we’re watching the smoke billowing out, and I’m like, ‘That’s not a Cessna.’”

He went on to serve in Afghanistan, where he was not only fighting for the military, but who was involved in ministry work there in the turbulent times surrounding the U.S. withdrawal from that country.

Just days after the tragic events of 9-11, his grandfather stood on a podium and delivered these words:

Today we say to those who masterminded this cruel plot, and to those who carried it out, that the spirit of this nation will not be defeated by their twisted and diabolical schemes. Some day those responsible will be brought to justice.

But today we come together in this service to confess our need of God. We’ve always needed God from the very beginning of this nation. But today we need Him especially. We’re involved in a new kind of warfare. And we need the help of the Spirit of God.

The Bible says, “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea.”

As you are probably aware, that was from the sermon given at the National Cathedral in Washington, DC by the late Billy Graham, which was published at BillyGraham.org. While he stressed the importance of viewing the devastating events through spiritual eyes and trusting in God, his grandson, Edward Graham was a student at West Point and fought in Afghanistan in the War on Terror. 

Meanwhile, Edward Graham now serves in ministry with his father, Franklin Graham, through the international Christian relief organization, Samaritan's Purse. I quoted from him earlier, from another piece at BillyGraham.org which featured comments from an interview on the Fearless podcast, hosted by his sister, Cissie Graham Lynch.  That article went on to say:

Lynch shared how she knew the attack would change the trajectory of her brother’s career and life.

“Your whole career was defined by this war in Afghanistan,” Lynch said, referencing all the things that happened during his time in the military. “You got married. You’ve raised your family. You’ve lost friends.”

That article echoed the theme that was touched on by Billy Graham in the National Cathedral sermon:

A tragedy like 9/11 can have a deep impact on our walk with God. We may question why a loving God would allow such a horrible event to happen.

But through it all, Lynch said, God is still sovereign.

“My hope was never in man, but in Jesus Christ,” Graham added. “God’s in control, but I pray for a miracle in Afghanistan.”

Graham works for Samaritan’s Purse, which is assisting Afghans in need who have escaped from the evil grip of the Taliban.

Billy Graham said, "I have been asked hundreds of times why God allows tragedy and suffering. I have to confess that I do not know the answer. I have to accept, by faith, that God is sovereign, and that He is a God of love and mercy and compassion in the midst of suffering."

But, he left the attendees that day by emphasizing hope that comes through Christ:

Yes, there is hope. There is hope for the present because the stage, I believe, has already been set for a new spirit in our nation.

We desperately need a spiritual renewal in this country, and God has told us in His Word time after time that we need to repent of our sins and return to Him, and He will bless us in a new way.

There also is hope for the future because of God’s promises. As a Christian, I have hope, not just for this life, but for heaven and the life to come. And many of those people who died this past week are in heaven now. And they wouldn’t want to come back. It’s so glorious and so wonderful. That is the hope for all of us who put our faith in God. I pray that you will have this hope in your heart.

It was 22 years ago today - can you believe it?  And, while we were certainly hoping for a spiritual renewal to occur, with the catalyst being the 9-11 tragedy, it seems as a nation, we did not learn.  The COVID pandemic, while it held a certain amount of promise, as well, that people would turn to God in the midst of tragedy, we are still seeing the Church as a whole trying to get back on its feet.

But enough of the pessimism, right?  As Billy Graham said, "There...is hope for the future because of God’s promises."  We serve a faithful God who has provided a way for us to know Him, to be forgiven, to be redeemed.  I think about the dual message of the Old Testament directed at the people of Israel - 1) you have sinned against God, but 2) God loves you and is still reaching out.  That message is true for us today.  The Bible teaches in Romans 3 that all of us, without exception, have sinned against Almighty God, but...we can find forgiveness and victory by placing our trust in Jesus Christ.

He is the One who gives us the promise of eternal life in heaven and abundant life today.  He speaks to us even through our pain, tragedy, and disappointment and says to us that He loves us and desires for us to know a Savior who died for us.  While some would try to hold God responsible for human suffering and allow that to keep them apart from Him, we recognize that He is sovereign, and even in our difficulty, He is showing us His love and extending the invitation to come into His presence and trust Him.  One of the lessons of 9-11 is that through unspeakable destruction, we can trust in the One who can restore us.

Pursuing His Purpose

Our faith in Christ can propel us to go into the places where God wants to take us, but we have to be willing and have a submissive heart. Hebrews 10 directs us to where we can place our confidence:
35 Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward.
36 For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise:
37 "For yet a little while, And He who is coming will come and will not tarry.
38 Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him."

Even in the midst of pain and struggle, we can persevere through Christ - He gives us abundant grace to be able to withstand the onslaught of the enemy's discouragement and to develop confidence in Him. He is our source of strength; He is the One who gives us hope even when we feel weak.  We can place our trust in a God who loves us, who sent His Son to redeem us, and who has an incredible purpose that He wants to fulfill in us.

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God is present with us, even during our times of pain - when we encounter challenges, we can look to Him and be confident that He is at work. James chapter 1 provides these reminders:
2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,
3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.
4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

He grew up with a serious spinal deformity and had to wear braces as a child.  He had surgery numerous times.  But he desired to play baseball.  He is quoted in a Faithwire article: "I had no disk in my spine,” he said. “People didn’t realize, I was born with no disk. My grandmother and my great-grandmother were in wheelchairs; I’d never seen them any different, and I was headed in the same direction.”

But, Rickey Hill wanted to play baseball. So, as the article reports:

...at just eight years old, he walked out of the clunky supports that straightened his legs, which were twisted around one another at birth, and picked up a baseball bat.

“One day, at eight years old, I busted those braces off,” he said. “I never put ’em back on.”

The boldness and reckless courage it took Hill to walk away from the physical limitations dictating his future “came straight from God Himself,” the unlikely athlete reflected.

When he was 19, he actually was given the opportunity to try out for the Montreal Expos and signed a contract.  He was released, but still spent four years playing minor league baseball before his physical limitations got the best of him.

But, he felt satisfaction; Hill said: “I knew one day that I would make it, somehow, someway,” adding, “It didn’t matter the pain. I weathered the pain, because it was very painful, but I weathered that storm through the pain and I just had it built in. My father had it; I had it.”  

Rickey's father was a Baptist preacher who wanted him to follow in his footsteps - the father is played by Dennis Quaid in the recent movie release, The Hill, in which Colin Ford plays the role of Rickey.

The article goes on to say:

“I was probably the only baseball player ever that never said a curse word,” he said with a laugh. “I would get on the buses and I’d start preaching to the guys on the bus, the guys that would listen, and singing Gospel songs, leading Gospel songs while we were on the road traveling. That carried on through my baseball career.”

Even in moments when he didn’t understand God’s plan — like when he was paralyzed on the field — Hill said he never abandoned hope or trust in God’s sovereignty.

About the film, the culmination of a long journey to get the movie to the big screen, Rickey says: "Even this movie has brought me just closer — just closer to God,” adding, “Because of what I went through, it brings me closer to Jesus Christ, because I know that this story was ordained before I was even in my mother’s womb.”

And, that's the first point I'd like to make.  Rickey Hill recognized the purpose for his life.  A purpose ordained before he was born. He now recognizes more of the specifics of that.  But, we can all recognize that God has a plan for each of our lives - of course, He wants each of us to be saved, to come into a knowledge of Jesus, who gives us the power and direction to fulfill that call God has on our lives.

Rickey Hill, in his baseball journey, experienced pain, which became a motivating force. We can develop a proper attitude toward our pain.  I think back on my conversation at this summer's Christian Product Expo with Dr. Michelle Bengtson, who has written a book called, The Hem of His Garment: Reaching Out to God When Pain Overwhelms.  She is a neuropsychologist, and wrote in a blog post a few years ago:

...our pain is not for nothing. God is true to His word, and really will use our pain for good and for His glory. Our pain is not wasted.

In Isaiah 61:3, God promises to give beauty for ashes, the oil of gladness for mourning, and festive praise for despair.

I don’t know what you are going through today. I don’t know what painful trial you or your family are suffering. But I know God can and will use it for good. Your pain is not wasted. Will you give it to Him?

What do you need to give Him today?

Rickey, as the Faithwire article said, "...grew up trusting God’s plan and his prognosis were at odds."  His physical challenges were obstacles, but Hill demonstrated perseverance to overcome. There will be trials in our lives, but those trials can produce the fruit of patience, as James chapter 1 teaches us. At the first sign of a barrier, we might be tempted to quit, but by so doing that could keep us from accomplishing what God wants to do through us.

Dechurched

The Church is the body of Christ, built on the firm foundation of the Word of God, established by Jesus Himself, as we can see in Matthew chapter 16:
15 He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?"
16 Simon Peter answered and said, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God."
17 Jesus answered and said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.
18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.
19 And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven."

In verse 18, Jesus illustrates for us that there is a spiritual battle that is taking place - the "gates of Hades" that He refers to indicates that evil forces are aligned against the Church. That calls for the Church issuing a spiritual response, reliant on the power of God.  This doesn't come through a casual attitude toward the things of God, but a serious desire to follow Christ, to lay down our lives, put on our armor, and advance the Kingdom.  Church is not a social club or entertainment venue, but a living, breathing organism, ordained by Christ to profoundly impact the world.

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In 1st Timothy 3, Paul wrote to Timothy about the attitude by which we are to approach church, recognizing that we don't merely "go to church," but we are the Church. Paul writes:
14 These things I write to you, though I hope to come to you shortly;
15 but if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.
16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, Justified in the Spirit, Seen by angels, Preached among the Gentiles, Believed on in the world, Received up in glory.

A recent Breakpoint commentary cited a 2021 article regarding a Gallup poll about church membership, stating that "U.S. church membership, as a percentage of the population, is now at a record low—down more than 20 points in the twenty-first century."  That Gallup article noted that:

Americans' membership in houses of worship continued to decline last year, dropping below 50% for the first time in Gallup's eight-decade trend. In 2020, 47% of Americans said they belonged to a church, synagogue or mosque, down from 50% in 2018 and 70% in 1999.

Furthermore, as an aside, another Gallup survey taken earlier this year, indicates a decline in church attendance overall coming out of the COVID pandemic.  Another Gallup article related:

U.S. church attendance has shown a small but noticeable decline compared with what it was before the COVID-19 pandemic. In the four years before the pandemic, 2016 through 2019, an average of 34% of U.S. adults said they had attended church, synagogue, mosque or temple in the past seven days. From 2020 to the present, the average has been 30%, including a 31% reading in a May 1-24 survey.

Less than half of Americans belong to houses of worship, less than a third of American adults are attending.  

The Breakpoint commentary, by John Stonestreet and Shane Morris, explored why church participation is on the decline. They stated: 

Faith, particularly Christian faith, is an irreplaceable force for good in society. Its decline will leave America less healthy, less charitable, less connected, and less capable of dealing with major social ills without government intervention. Evidence suggests it already has.

At the same time, it is essential to remember that these benefits are byproducts of faith, not the main point. Anyone who hopes to halt and reverse church decline must remember what that main point is.

Well, as the authors note, "it's not to entertain people."  The commentary referenced a recent piece from WORLD Magazine written by Carl Trueman of Grove City College.  And, when entertainment becomes the focus, it shuts the door to people experiencing the presence of God.  He writes:

There is only one description in the New Testament of how an outsider should react when he blunders by accident into a church service. It is in 1 Corinthians 14:24–25. Paul tells us that such a person will be convicted and fall on his face, knowing that God is there. Presumably, this is because he finds himself in the presence of a holy God and is overwhelmed by his own sense of unworthiness. Turning worship into a comedy skit seems unlikely to produce the same result. In fact, far from being sensitive to the needs of any seeker, it sends a clear signal that the gospel is unworthy of attention by any serious-minded person, believer or unbeliever.

Trueman adds:

When worship is turned into a clown show with a religious patina, Christianity and Christians are infantilized and God is mocked.

Our God, our New Testament God, is a consuming fire and to be approached with awe and reverence, as the book of Hebrews teaches. And those incapable of acting in accordance with that have no place in the pastoral ministry.

Stonestreet and Morris made mention of an upcoming book called, The Great Dechurching.  They write that its authors...

...suggest that low expectations of those in the pews and widely embraced individualist assumptions have led to fewer and fewer Americans finding time for church. If Christianity is merely a kind of hobby or weekly pep talk designed to enhance psychological wellbeing or career success, then we can find better stuff on YouTube or Spotify. Why make time for this type of church every week?

But what if Christianity is a way of life, the thing it’s all about. What if it demands our allegiance? What if following Christ restructures our priorities and pursuits, our beliefs and our behavior—including career, family, and even personal identity?

Everything else in our society directs our gaze inward, to ourselves, our feelings, our priorities, and our problems—as if every individual is the center of his or her own universe. Churches that accept and even participate in this idolatry may be leading millions away from Christianity, not by demanding everything of them but by demanding nothing.

Study the ministry of Jesus, explore the book of Acts - when we look at how God was working during those times, we see distinct supernatural activity as He responded to the obedience of His people, including His Son.  There was certainly a dependence and expectation upon the Lord - and, I would also say, a devotion, a seriousness, about the things of God.  We need to make sure we are walking with that sort of mindset.

We also have to rid ourselves of the consumer mentality, i.e. going to church and being involved in church activity as a spectator, not a participant; as a giver, not a receiver.  If we make church attendance all about us, then we can find ourselves in control of the course of our spiritual life, which actually cuts off the flow of the Spirit of God. 

The stakes are high in the world in which we live - in which God has placed us - and to walk through life with a casual attitude about spiritual things can leave us far beneath the life God desires for us to walk in.  We have to possess a sense of seriousness about the things of God and yield ourselves to the activity of His Spirit through us. 

Late-Term

The Bible teaches us in Job 31 that our value as human beings is not determined by our social status or occupation, nor by location inside or outside the womb. We find these words:
13 "If I have despised the cause of my male or female servant When they complained against me,
14 What then shall I do when God rises up? When He punishes, how shall I answer Him?
15 Did not He who made me in the womb make them? Did not the same One fashion us in the womb?

The Bible shows us God's viewpoint on life in the womb.  We find instances, such as with David, who recognized God's handiwork in crafting him in his mother's womb, Jeremiah, who had the call of God placed on him before he was born, and John the Baptist, who responded to the presence of Jesus while still to be born. What a disservice we do to our Lord and His intentions as a culture by refusing to acknowledge His hand and taking life in the womb. 

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I want to go to the first chapter of Luke and capture one aspect of the Christmas narrative - the meeting between Mary and Elizabeth, the mothers of Jesus and John the Baptist, respectively. We see that John the Baptist in the womb recognized and responded to the presence of Jesus. Beginning in verse 41, we can read these words:
41 And it happened, when Elizabeth heard the greeting of Mary, that the babe leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.
42 Then she spoke out with a loud voice and said, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb!
43 But why is this granted to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?
44 For indeed, as soon as the voice of your greeting sounded in my ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.

As candidates for President gathered on a stage in Milwaukee recently, they - at least some of them - had their opportunity to address the issue of abortion.  I believe one component of a winning political strategy for pro-life candidates is to continue to point out the support of some politicians for abortions at any point of pregnancy, even up until the time of birth.

But, a former White House press secretary believes that to be a myth.  The Daily Citizen of Focus on the Family reported that Jen Psaki, who is now a host on MSNBC...tweeted, 'No one supports abortion up until birth.'”  To which the article said, "There’s just one problem...Psaki is dead wrong."

The proof, according to the article:

There are seven states in the Union – Alaska, Colorado, Minnesota, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon and Vermont, plus Washington, D.C. – that currently have no gestational limit on when a woman can obtain an abortion. These states permit women to get abortions when their preborn baby is 25, 30, 35, 38 or 40 weeks old. There is no age limit.

Obviously, in these states, there are individuals – state lawmakers for example – who support abortion up until birth. Otherwise, abortion would be restricted at some point in a woman’s pregnancy.

Various other states – including Michigan and California – passed ballot measures last year that enshrined abortion as a “right” in their state constitutions. These measures ensured abortion was legal up until viability – generally 22-weeks gestation – but also permit any abortions if an abortionist determines it is necessary for a woman’s “heath” or “mental health.”

As the article notes, "These “health” exceptions are so broad as to effectively permit abortion up until birth."

These positions are clearly out-of-step with the American people.  Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America cites a poll from last year, stating, "A Harvard-Harris national poll found 72% of voters would limit abortions by no later than 15 weeks..."  Support for the position of "abortion until birth?"  Only "10% of voters," according to the same poll.  There is hardly an overwhelming pro-abortion consensus in our country; I believe that you have many who realize that the taking of unborn life is wrong, but for whatever reason, they have been condition to think that to allow abortion is somehow acceptable. You have majority support for limits because there is not majority support for unfettered abortion, like some espouse.

Another so-called "journalist," Katie Couric, tweeted recently: “Worth noting that fewer than 1% of abortions occur in the third trimester.”

The Daily Citizen article, written by recent Meeting House guest Zachary Mettler, stated:

It’s true that most abortions occur early in a woman’s pregnancy. However, that doesn’t mean it isn’t important to consider how our laws should govern late-term abortions.

An estimated 15,000 late-term abortions occur every year in the United States alone. The issue of late-term abortion surely matters to these preborn babies and their mothers.

The article quoted another poll which shows greater support for late-term, relating that, "according to an NPR/PBS NewsHour/Marist poll conducted in April 2023, a small minority of Americans – 22% – say abortion should 'be available any time during a pregnancy.'" Mettler notes:

This would equate to tens of millions of Americans who support absolutely no limits on abortion – obviously, this means there are many who “support abortion up until birth.”

And, the Charlotte Lozier Institute noted that statistics on late-term abortion are inadequate.  An article updated last year said:

Data from both the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Guttmacher Institute on total abortions and late-term abortions suggests that approximately 1.1 to 1.3% of abortions are carried out at 21 weeks of gestation and later. The true percentage may be even higher, as the CDC estimate does not include multiple states where late-term abortions take place (including California and Maryland). 

And, the article notes that, "Each year, over 50,000 abortions are performed after 15 weeks of gestation, when unborn babies can feel pain."

So, we certainly have a national moral and spiritual problem: hundreds of thousands of babies each year are losing their lives to abortion.  The Dobbs decision didn't eliminate abortion, it just moved the locus of control to legislative bodies.  States - and even the federal government - have to decide what their policy on the taking of unborn life actually is. Some have even done that directly through the ballot box, and voters in Ohio will be voting in November on whether or not to allow abortion through a woman's pregnancy.  

Fortunately, there have been numerous legislative and judicial victories along the way and the recent Fifth Circuit decision that would ban mail-order abortions and restore restrictions on the distribution of the abortion pill is a positive step forward, subject to the review of the U.S. Supreme Court.   We can be encouraged that the right to life is being upheld in many corners of our great country.

The Church is uniquely positioned to reduce the number of abortions in America.  We have the power of prayer as a powerful component of our strategy to do that.  We have pro-life pregnancy centers and churches who can minister effectively to women and their families in crisis pregnancies and proclaim the sanctity of life and help a person considering abortion to see clearly the importance of a choice for life.  There are factors that can cloud a person's judgment, and we, the Church, can recognize those and help a person to see clearly as she is met with the compassion of Christ.

Compelling Evidence

In the ninth chapter of the book of Acts, we can see how God raised up His people to further the growth of the first-century Church. We can find these words:
26 And when Saul had come to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, and did not believe that he was a disciple.
27 But Barnabas took him and brought him to the apostles. And he declared to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that He had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.
28 So he was with them at Jerusalem, coming in and going out.
29 And he spoke boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus and disputed against the Hellenists, but they attempted to kill him.
30 When the brethren found out, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him out to Tarsus.
31 Then the churches throughout all Judea, Galilee, and Samaria had peace and were edified. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, they were multiplied.

Yes, I can understand the skepticism that the early disciples had about Saul, later called Paul - after all, he was a leading persecutor of the Church.  But, he began to win their trust as he preached the gospel of Christ.  Peter, John, Barnabas, Silas, and the apostle Paul - these and so many other provided leadership who sustained the early Church.  We can be thankful for believers throughout the years who have been used of the Lord, who dared step out in faith and continued in the way that God had shown them.

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One of the notable things you notice in the book of Acts is the activity of God through His people - in the faith practice of the early Church and the fervent proclamation of the gospel. In Acts 4, we can see these encouraging words:
31 And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.
32 Now the multitude of those who believed were of one heart and one soul; neither did anyone say that any of the things he possessed was his own, but they had all things in common.
33 And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all.

It's quite an astonishing discovery, and even though there has been a bit of controversy regarding where it may be on display, that should not take away from its significance.  And, it has to do with the early Church.

It's called the Megiddo Mosaic. WORLD Magazine notes:

Archeologists discovered the mosaic in 2005 while clearing the ground to expand an Israeli prison. The centuries-old decorated floor was the site of one of the oldest Christian prayer halls. The mosaic contains one of the earliest references to Jesus as God and currently sits where some Christians believe Armageddon will take place.

The article reported that the Israel Antiquities Authority has been "considering lending the Megiddo Mosaic to the Museum of the Bible in Washington, D.C." But, as WORLD states, "some secular academics have said they oppose the Museum of the Bible getting the mosaic, or even moving the mosaic in any way."

Last year, The Jerusalem Post reported:

The mosaic was excavated between 2004 and 2008 in an Israel Antiquities Authority salvage dig ordered by the Israel Prison Service (IPS) before it began construction of a new prison wing. It is thought to have been part of an early Christian prayer house and includes a Greek inscription dedicated “to the God Jesus Christ.”

The article said that the mosaic was found at the Megiddo Prison. It went on to report: "The inscription on the north side was dedicated to an army officer...who contributed the mosaic floor. The east inscription is dedicated to the memory of four women...," adding, "The name Akaptos is memorialized in the western inscription as 'Lover of God who contributed the altar to the God Jesus Christos, as a memorial.'”

Dr. Yotam Tepper of the Israel Antiquities Authority supervised the dig and is quoted in the article, which says:

Finds from the site area – including remains from a Roman period Jewish village having both Jewish and Samaritan residents, a Roman army legion camp and a Roman-Byzantine city – indicate the presence of diverse cultural, religious and ethnic population groups, he said.

Archaeological evidence also points to an early Christian community – whose members included Roman army officers – and tells the story of Christianity before it became the official religion of the empire.

The mosaic is named after the site at which it was found - the area of Megiddo. Faithwire reports:

As explained by GotQuestions, Megiddo has been predicted as the location of Armageddon, the coming battle between Jesus and the forces of evil in this world. The word “Armageddon” originally comes from the Hebrew “Har-Magedone,” which is translated to “Mount Megiddo.”

This is certainly an amazing discovery, and it will be interesting to see where it ends up - at the current site, or perhaps in Washington at Museum of the Bible.  But, again, while "where" it was found is certainly interesting, "where" it will end up has become a story in and of itself.  But, that aspect should not overshadow what is contained within it - a clear affirmation of the presence of Christianity in the Roman world.  A declaration of the Lordship and divinity of Jesus Himself. 

This discovery lends credence to the pages of the Scriptures, which reported on the First Century spread of Christianity. It's evidence of the Biblical account of the early Church. It is evidence of the authority of Scripture. 

And, I think it lends itself to our own thinking about the evidence that we are leaving.  We can consider if the seeds we are planting here and now will have any effect on this world in the years to come.  And, we can even think about how our works here might be rewarded in eternity.  The Bible teaches that our faithful service will be recognized when we stand before God.  

We can also think about how Christianity has survived.  In this discovery, the actions of believers many centuries ago are echoing throughout the years and telling us about the faithfulness of God to and through His people.  Even during times, such as that of the Judges, when a generation came that did not know the Lord, or the 400-year period after the last prophet, Malachi, a time of supposed silence, God was still working His plan, still fulfilling His Word to His people.  He has given us a Savior and given us the Scripture, and we can be thankful for His great love for us.