So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 10:32,33 ESV)
Fear Not… Then Ignore the World
When we were first married, we were in Amway. Yes, we drew circles on a white board and tried to convince people to join our money-making plan. We did not do very well at it.
Mostly because we were ashamed of our Amway membership. In western Michigan (Amway’s home) most of us rolled our eyes at the thought of Amway. We belittled anyone who announced they had ‘joined.’ Amway, despite’s it’s contribution to Michigan’s economy, was not respected, liked, or appreciated.
So we did not admit it to our family, our friends, or our general community. This makes it difficult to build an Amway group!
Some of us treat our Christianity in the same way. As modern America forgets our Biblical roots, it is less socially acceptable to be an unabashed Christian. As the world despises our desire to adhere to God’s Law, it is dangerous to announce that God’s Law is our standard. As the entertainment industry mocks us, our educational system derides us, and our government appears to be conspiring against us, it sometimes feels good to hide.
But do not hide.
Our world, one of God’s three enemies, seems to have power, but the world can not hold a candle to God’s light. Our world, one of God’s three enemies, seems to have the future planned out, but the world knows nothing about tomorrow, where God already dwells. The world, one of God’s three enemies, clamors for our attention, but God shouts more beautifully and louder in every atom, galaxy, minute, decade, event, word, and activity we might see.
AND His message is better! Instead of offering doubt, He offers faith. Instead of bringing fear, He brings hope. Instead of cultivating selfishness and cruelty, He is love.
Fear not, then ignore the world.