War? What War?

I read an article yesterday that announced that Christians have lost the culture war. This Christian hasn’t lost anything.

In fact, I’m feeling mighty fine and pretty victorious.

If I’m completely honest, I know what the author of the article meant. This country is less “Christian” than it used to be. Our country doesn’t seem to be based on Christian values and, in fact, seems to work against them. It isn’t really comfortable to be a Christian in America any more. I still don’t think I’ve lost any war.

When America began, our laws were loosely and imperfectly based on what God says is right and wrong as expressed in Scripture. That has changed. Our laws are now loosely and imperfectly based on what our representatives believe is most expedient regardless of right and wrong. I would say our culture is worse for that.

Most of us still believe in “thou shall not kill” unless we are mothers and are talking about our unborn children, or we are talking about those convicted of capital crimes, or we are talking about those we view as enemies, or those who threaten our life or property. I would say our culture is worse for that.

I know “Christians” have failed in convincing the world that some sins are worse than others. Personally I think that argument was wrong-headed from the start.  We might disagree as to whether certain things are sin. Even if we leave out the “questionable” sins, each of us is guilty of plenty enough sins to keep us out of heaven. Even if it makes us feel superior to point to others who commit more public sins, it doesn’t get us where we want to be, Heaven. I would say our culture is worse off for that debate.

I think the real problem is that even Christians forget what our guide (The Bible) has to say. We like to believe that if we try hard enough and yell loud enough the world will get better. If you believe that you better read the book. It’s going to get worse before it gets better. When it does get better it won’t be because of anything we’ve done. It will be because the King has returned.

There’s a war going on all right. It’s not against flesh and blood. Try loving a bit more. It won’t get you loved in return, but it’s what Jesus asked us to do and considering what He did for us, can we do any less, no matter how distasteful or difficult it is. When the sins of our culture start to overwhelm and discuss, spend some time in front of a mirror.

The battle isn’t for cultures. It’s for souls. We shouldn’t forget that.