Archaic

Suggest to most anyone around you that it's good and right to remain celibate until you marry and they'll consider you an anachronism, a throwback, archaic. That's old stuff. We've moved on. We know better now. "Come join the 21st century."

Just an example, of course, because, as it turns out, if you argue for the bulk of Christian moral values, you're going to find yourself out of sync with the rest of the world. Indeed, a large portion of Christianity. Clearly the world has rejected Christian values in realms of sexual morality and marriage, divorce, work ethics, views on authority, and much, much more. But Christians are right behind. It is common for self-identified Christians in church settings to admit to living together without being married. Divorce is perfectly acceptable in most churches. The overarching biblical command to love God and love your neighbor is barely grasped among believers because "love" is barely grasped anymore. Let's face it. Genuine, Bible-believing Christians are on their way out.

It's not like this is a new thing. The first century Christians counted themselves genuine Jews following the Jewish Messiah. They weren't deviating; it was the rest of Judaism that was leaving. It wasn't long before they were being arrested, tortured, and killed. Luke records that Herod had Peter arrested and sentenced for execution because, when he beheaded James, the brother of John, "it pleased the Jews." (Acts 12:1-4) The first Christians didn't move; the rest of Israel did.

So it is today. America was founded on Christian principles with Christian guidance. It was these principles that made America strong and guided her through the pitfalls of a government built on the will of the people. As is inevitably the case, though, the farther we got from the roots, the less the roots were visible. America, now, has moved on. From the 1950's when the president of the country prayed openly to Christ on a Christmas radio broadcast, we've now moved to an America where God isn't welcome anywhere near government. From "Freedom of Religion" to "Freedom from Religion." Institutions like Princeton and Harvard, founded by Christians, are now Christianity's foes. And so goes the nation. When "freedom of religion" is consigned to "hate", you can rest assured that your faith will be classified as archaic.

That it is happening is without doubt. It is, in fact, to be expected. Jesus promised it. Not a big deal. The question is what will you do with it? Will you allow yourself to be "archaic" when it means siding with God, His Word, and the values and views found there? Dr. Mohler refers to us as the "moral minority" today. He's right. The question is, will you stand there? Or will you follow the tide? I suspect too many of us already are, possibly without even recognizing it. So the question is large because it will require greater strength and diligence. Will you view "archaic" as a good thing in this case? "As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." (Josh 24:15) Archaic.

The Bible tells us to "hold fast" many things. "Hold fast to what is good." (Rom 12:9; 1 Thess 5:21) "Hold fast to the Word." (1 Cor 15:2) "Hold fast our confidence." (Heb 3:6) "Hold fast our confession." (Heb 10:23) "Hold fast to the hope set before us." (Heb 6:18) "Hold fast My name." (Rev 2:13) "Hold fast what you have." (Rev 2:25; Rev 3:11) Hold fast, Christian. It's going to be a bumpy ride.