I’ve been thinking and reading a lot about the church in America recently, especially through this last election season.

When I observe the American church, I see some Christian speaking prophetically and faithfully. I see some grasping for political power, justifying whatever means for what is seen as a desirable end. Some go to war with the culture against the radical “other” on the other side. I see others withdraw into Christian “bubbles,” isolated from the culture of the world in a comfortable cultural Christianity. Others are compromising, looking in life and in tone more like the culture than the Kingdom.

I’ve been thinking about the role of believers in our increasingly multicultural, secular, and pluralistic society. This may be a new situation for American Christians to navigate, but surely not for our “cloud of witnesses” in the historical and first church, not to mention the worldwide church, right?

I wonder if the solution is to neither go to war with our culture, nor isolate from it, nor compromise with it, but be transformative agents as we represent the culture of a completely different Kingdom?

I came across the collection of verses below in an introductory book on the integrated story of the Bible (The Drama of Scripture by Craig Bartholomew and Michael Goheen*) that I think they help point us to the answers. They also build on the idea of “the common good” that I reference in my last post about Biblical justice:

“Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all.” (Rom 12:17 ESV)

“Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand;” (Philippians 4:5 ESV)

“Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.” (Col 4:5-6 ESV)

“But we urge you, brothers, to do this more and more, and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one.” (1Thessalonians 4:10-12 ESV)

“Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us.” (Titus 2:7-8 ESV)

“Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel,” (Philippians 1:27 ESV)

“Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. Even if I am to be poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrificial offering of your faith, I am glad and rejoice with you all. Likewise you also should be glad and rejoice with me.” (Philippians 2:14-18 ESV)

I want to note that an unhealthy takeaway from these verses would be that our goodness is enough to draw people to Christ. Personally, I know that’s just not true. I’m not that good. But it is Christ in us, Christ in our weaknesses, in all our mini-deaths and resurrections that is powerful:

“But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh. So death is at work in us, but life in you.” (2Corinthians 4:7-12 ESV)

What does it look like to shine in our world today? Here are some ideas:

In a worried world, be faithful in prayer.

In a selfish world, practice generosity.

In a bitter and jaded world, be joyful in hope.

In a dishonest world, seek and tell the truth.

In a vengeful world, offer forgiveness and mercy.

In a violent and divisive world, be a peacemaker.

In a compromising world, maintain your integrity.

In a world that calls you to exercise your rights, lay yours down.

In a hateful and scornful world, love deeply and assume the best in people.

In a world that gives weight to the powerful, look out for the marginalized.

In a world that jumps to conclusions, be reasonable and gentle.

In a boastful world, be humble, aware of your own sins.

In a loud world, have a gentle and quiet spirit.

In a demanding world, be sacrificial.

In a prideful world, be confessing.

In a busy world, be restful.

As Bartholomew and Goheen write:

“By being visible and involved in the life of surrounding culture while avoiding the pollution of that culture’s pervasive idolatry, Christians will shine ‘like stars’ ‘in the midst of a warped and crooked generation.'”

Not everyone will enjoy your light or find it comforting. Some may find it annoying, even. But it should be undeniably attractive as you, along with the community of believers, like the galaxy in the my coloring page, reflect the glory and character of our God.

You can download your coloring pages by clicking on the images below:

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Inspiration picture of a galaxy

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