Conflicting countercultural living

Christians live in conflict because we are attempting to find the proper balance between life in the world and separation from the world. The Bible is completely clear that Christians are not of the world. John 15:19 states “If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you (NASB).” There is a gap between the standards of the world and the ideals for Christians. While on the other hand the Bible teachings Christians to live in the present world. Matthew 5:14 commands “You are the light of the world.” Also, Paul implored the Corinthians to not reject association with all the unrighteous people in the world because “for then you would have to go out of the world” (1 Cor. 5:10). These verses that teach, separation as well as attachment to the world, leads us back to the common slogan “in the world but not of the world.” But this slogan is easier said than lived. There is the constant conflict within Christians to discover the balance in becoming a “particular people” (Titus 2:14).

Our history in the churches of Christ bears out this struggle of locating the proper balance between living in two worlds. Many Restoration leaders were against getting entangled with the affairs of this world. In David Lipscomb’s book “Civil Government”, he argues against Christians even voting. Also, there was a strong sense of pacifism in the Restoration Movement. Christians were encouraged to avoid the current political affairs of the world. But as time elapsed, this anti-world basis began to shift to a stance that embraced influencing the present reality of the world’s affairs. Now young Christians are encouraged to seek positions that can persuade others to embrace Christian values. It is now desirable for Christians to hold political offices in government. Even through our history has the conflict of living counter-culturally been presence.

Since this conflict of living with the “elementary principles of the world” and maintaining our “heavenly citizenship” is a constant concern to grapple with, how can we live in balance with these seemingly contradictory principles (Col. 2:20; Phil. 3:20)? There are three earthly realms Christians must maintain balance with to fulfill God’s desire for us to be “in the world but not of the world.”

A Christian must live between the worlds. Paul was torn between existing in two worlds. He says in Philippians 1:22-25 “But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which to choose. But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better; yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake. And convinced of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy in the faith.” Christians may be tempted like Paul to left the struggles of this evil world but are committed to fulfilling the ministry of reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18). Without the leavening influence of faithful Christians the world will only continue to slide into the wicked hands of Satan. Christians cannot flee from the streets of sin for the holy sanctuaries of the monasteries. Disciples of Christ are the living lights for the current world.

A Christian must live between the extremes. Christians must manage the extremes of complete separation from the world and complete acceptance of the world. A good example of extreme separation from the world is the Amish people. The Amish people of America have removed themselves from mainstream culture. They have rejected all modern technology and movements. With this choice, the Amish people have eliminated their influence upon culture. Their genuine desire to please God has lead them to forsake the command to be “the light of the world.” On the other hand, some Christians tie their happiness to the affairs of this world. Some Christians falsely rely on every new philosophy and deceptive tradition of man, which ultimately causes their destruction (Col. 2:8). Christians must not embrace the declining debauchery in the world (Eph. 5:11), but rather judge the changing events according to the eternal principles in the Word of God. All Christians must follow the timeless example of Christ: “While I am in the world, I am the light of the world” (John 9:5).

A Christian must live between the times. A constant certainty in the world is change. The world, America, and the times are changing. Culture will never became stagnant. Members of the church may desire the “good old days” but these are a thing of the past. Therefore, the church must offer a redemptive message for the present age. This message is derived from the eternal principles of the Holy Scriptures. The conflict arises when Christians must discern between Biblical precedent and cultural customs. This exercise has happened in two places in the Bible—the custom of women wearing veils and the holy kiss as a greeting (1 Cor. 11:1-16; 1 Pet. 5:14). The solution to the cultural conflict is wisely discerning between the morally neutral customs of the times and sin. It would be erroneous for Christians to replace the message of the cross with merely a derogatory campaign against morally neutral changes. There is a huge difference in amoral actions of culture that some Christians may dislike and downright sin. Christians must save their redemptive message for cultural battles worth fighting or their message will become ineffectual. A harping on amoral dislikes will drive others to tune out the message of Christians. But when sinful destructive behavior begins to sweep through society, Christians need to rally to defeat the increasing presence of Satan on earth.

The struggle to find the balance between “being the light of the world” and “not being of the world” is a constant conflict for the Christian. Christians cope with maintaining an influence in society while also avoiding being unspotted from the world. At all times disciples must “therefore be shrewd as serpents, and innocent as doves” when it comes to dealing with the world’s affairs (Matt. 10:16).