There is a popular movie out at the moment, the title of which is Divergent. I have not seen it, nor do I plan to. It's not that I have anything against it; I just doubt the opportunity will present itself. They say that the central character, Beatrice, learns that she is "divergent", that she will not fit in and that she will have to fight for her survival.
The word "divergent" is defined in the online dictionary as "developing in different directions" or "dissimilar".
I thought of that word this morning while reading 1 Thessalonians 2:13-16. In this passage, the apostle Paul is reminding the Thessalonians that the persecution they received at the hands of their countrymen was not unexpected nor uncommon among those who bear the name of Christ. Similar treatment had happened to the Christians in Judea, Paul reminded them.
There is a Christian conservative media figure, Erick Erickson, who uses the expression, "You will be made to care", when exhorting people concerning the issues of the day. What is happening in America is that the Christian belief system is becoming more and more openly divergent from the belief system of the world in general. I say "openly" because the world has always been opposed to the message of Jesus Christ. But, over the past 60 years in this country, that divergence has become more flagrant and more socially acceptable as the people of God, the church of Jesus Christ, has "fallen asleep at the wheel".
The Thessalonians were not asleep. They were actively imitating other heroes of the faith and Jesus Christ in particular. They were standing firm against the world's belief system, the adherents to which can be described with Paul's words in 1 Thessalonians 2:15-16 - - {The Message version}
They make themselves offensive to God and everyone else by trying to keep us from telling people who’ve never heard of our God how to be saved. They’ve made a career of opposing God, and have gotten mighty good at it.
I wish that I could tell you, Christian, that things in this old world are going to get better, that the culture will become less hostile to the gospel and the Christian worldview. However, that would be an unscriptural position. Unless God has mercy on America and brings a great, cataclysmic spiritual revival, things are going to continue to become increasingly hostile for American Christians as they are currently in many other parts of the world.
The questions for us are these: What is our responsibility toward this divergence? How shall we react when confronted with positions/beliefs/practices that are contrary to the Word of God? Should we continue the pattern of the past 60 years - - - "going along, to get along"?
Consider what is going on in Alabama right now. "The Supremes" (the US Supreme Court) has trampled all over states' rights by overturning several of the peoples' initiatives to keep marriage between one man and one woman. They have basically told Alabama that they WILL legalize gay marriage, or else. In response, led by Judge Roy Moore, many judges and municipalities have risen up to say that they will not obey that judicial "mandate", arguing that it is unconstitutional. What do you think of this response?
Psalm 33 is particularly pertinent here, verses 9-11 especially.
9
For he spoke, and it came into existence,
he issued the decree, and it stood firm.
10
The Lord frustrates the decisions of the nations;
he nullifies the plans of the peoples.
11
The Lord’s decisions stand forever;
his plans abide throughout the ages.
Stacked up against the Lord's decrees and decisions, the legal dictates of man matter not one bit. When there is such divergence that we are forced to choose one or the other to obey, there is no contest. Jesus made this plain when asked about paying taxes. His reply? "Give to the government the things due the government and to God the things due God." (Matthew 22:21).
"You will be made to care." I firmly agree that, for each of us, a time is coming when we will be unable to escape the consequences of our lethargy as Christians. When given an opportunity to speak the truth and to take appropriate action, we must do so, instead of putting it off, relying on someone more vocal to do it, etc. Every time we demur and defer action in a critical situation, we further marginalize our biblical positions and further jeopardize our religious freedom. Rise up, Church!
Although each of us is called to speak the truth, we are required to speak it as would our Savior, with love. Our message will not be received as "loving", but we are not responsible for its reception. We have been tasked with delivering the truth with compassion and with genuine love and concern for our fellow man.
Most of us dislike conflict of any kind. It is distinctly unpleasant. What we often fail to recognize is that our lives are characterized by this ever-present, foundational challenge: "Will we seek to please ourselves and the fallen world around us, or will we seek to please God?" If we choose the latter, we will be distinctly divergent. It is inescapable. Incompatible "truths" are irreconcilable.
Yes, there is extreme divergence: diametrically opposed positions to reality, the nature of man, the origin of evil, and other bedrock issues of life here on earth. But, the GOOD NEWS is that God, through Jesus Christ, has the answer to man's miasma of despair!
Will you share it, as did the Thessalonians?
You know, O Lord, that we are largely chicken-hearted. This must be because our belief in You and Your truth is weak. So, open our eyes, Lord. Strengthen our weak faith. Give us the courage to be boldly, blatantly divergent, shining like the brightness of the heavens, clothed in the righteousness of Jesus Christ, our Savior, in order to lead many to righteousness. In Jesus' name I pray, amen.
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