These questions all share a common underlying assumption – that Christians should be fighting against or resisting the surrounding culture. But is that the biblical response to a culture in moral decline?

The premise is that it’s “us vs. them”; Christians versus the broader society. Is it possible that these questions distract us from Jesus’s kingdom, which transcends culture?

[Matthew 5:13-16]

“You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless. “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden.  No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.”

[Ephesians 6:10-20]

“A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.  For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

“Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.  In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere. And pray for me, too. Ask God to give me the right words so I can boldly explain God’s mysterious plan that the Good News is for Jews and Gentiles alike. I am in chains now, still preaching this message as God’s ambassador. So pray that I will keep on speaking boldly for him, as I should.”

[Luke 19:25-30]

“One day an expert in religious law stood up to test Jesus by asking him this question: “Teacher, what should I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus replied, “What does the law of Moses say? How do you read it?”The man answered, “‘You must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.’ And, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” “Right!” Jesus told him. “Do this and you will live!” The man wanted to justify his actions, so he asked Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”

Jesus replied with a story: “A Jewish man was traveling from Jerusalem down to Jericho, and he was attacked by bandits. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him up, and left him half dead beside the road…”

Jesus ends by asking “which of these three would you say was a neighbor?”

[John 18:36]

“My kingdom is not an earthly kingdom. If it were, my followers would fight to keep me from being handed over to the Jewish leaders. But my Kingdom is not of this world.”

• It’s like we’re trying to make America Christian. But America can’t become a Christian. BUT Americans can!
• Why are we so upset that people who aren’t Christians don’t act more Christian? Because I think THEY wonder why CHRISTIANS don’t act more Christian!

[Judges 21:25]

“In those days Israel had no king; all the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes.”

We’re focused on the wrong target

We think we can fix our culture through the two party system or through the legislature

• If you want to fix the culture, heal the people IN it!
• People create culture, they write the curriculum, they sing the music and make the movies
• Win the hearts of the people and we’ll find our way through this moral milieu, this unhealthy context in which we live
• WIN the people, don’t fight them!

[Ephesians 6:12, 18]

“For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places…18 Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.”