Hattie’s Hangout: Christian Need To Be on The Frontline’s Of The Culture War

Standing up for righteousness means refusing to bow to tyranny.

Christians need to be on the frontlines of the culture war. Not retreating.

For years, Americans who profess Christianity have, on many levels, lived comfortable lives. We have been given freedom to worship, to preach freely and share the gospel openly. 

These blessings, this reality we have lived in, is the exception, not the rule.

For centuries, Christians faced opposition, affliction and suffering. Even now, believers are being persecuted overseas. The apostle Paul was followed by affliction as he traveled on his ministry to share the Gospel. He continually asked the churches for prayer, specifically seeking strength and relief from the wicked men who tried to thwart him from his Gospel mission (2 Thess. 3:1-3). 

Opposition from the world must be expected. Unfortunately, many professing American Christians choose to kneel to cultural norms instead of refusing to conform. 

For too long, American Christians have been ceding ground under the cloud of “tolerance.” 

We have regrettably become comfortable with being mainstream and now buckle under the pressure of a hostile culture. 

If you find yourself asking why or how we got here, the answer is simple–a compromise to the Word of God and a neglect to his commands for holiness.

Currently in America, many Christians are surrendering the culture war.

We see many of our government leaders neglecting to uphold the truth of the book they lay their hand upon as they swear into office. While this is sad, this shouldn’t feel unexpected. 

Opening the Bible and reading about the various kings of Israel reveals the ongoing truth found in Ecclesiastes 1:9 “there is nothing new under the sun.” Tyrannical leaders and a sinful society are ever present in a world corrupted by sin. 

Tolerance is not a command, and comfort is not promised. So, why do we worship these things? This acceptance of sin means millions of unborn babies get murdered each year. The unwillingness to be uncomfortable has paved a way for God-hating tyrants to demand we accept a transgender male as female. This is what Christians hiding in the closet have allowed and tolerated. 

James says friendship with the world and tolerance to sin is hostility toward God (James 4:4). 

When people’s gospel sharing tactics make them fearful to offend someone, I suggest rereading the gospels. Nowhere does the Bible reveal Jesus buckling under the fear of offending someone. He never tolerated sin, so why should we?

There is no question of “when” we should stand boldly on the convictions of the Bible. The answer is then, now and forever. Courage will incite confrontation from a culture set out to silence any mention of Christ.

This reality however must not scare us, in fact it should compel Christians forward to share Christ with a society that desperately needs him. 

Choosing daily to obey God is one of the most radical things we can do to stand against tyranny. We saw this in Corrie Ten Boom and in William Wilberforce. The same spirit of the Lord that moved them is moving in you.

The wind of affliction and corruption blows fiercely upon the church. When this gust of suffering touches the flame on a candle, it blows out instantly, but when the puff of adversity reaches a bed of coals, the flame grows.

Through God, we can face anguish and not fear being uncomfortable knowing it is the name of Christ that ignites our hope and feeds our souls. Paul displays an “eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or death” (Philippians 1:20). 

With one collective voice, Christians must fight for the culture by taking back the conversation and pointing people toward Christ.

The battle for our culture is here. I am excited to fight, are you? 

Hattie Troutman is the Editor-in-Chief. Follow her on Twitter at @hattrout.