Christian Living in Today’s World is Challenging
Christian living today is challenging. Our society has become the most godless it’s ever been because people have rejected God, and they engage in immorality and sin. Some people have adopted alternative, unnatural lifestyles and try to impose them on others. And those in authority implement policies legitimizing and normalizing such lifestyles.
Things that were considered bad in the past, are now considered good. And what was considered wrong is now right. They have changed the school’s curriculum to include lessons inappropriate for younger aged children, indoctrinating and influencing them. And have removed any mention or symbols of Jesus. We live in an upside-down world that is only getting progressively worse for Christians. This is why Christian living today is challenging.
Isaiah 5:20 “Woe to them that call evil good and good evil; that put darkness for light and light for darkness. That put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter.”
This is the kind of world Christians have to contend with today. Then again, we are just pilgrims passing through this world – it doesn’t belong to us. We live in a world of cancel culture, where we are pressured and shamed to conform. And when we resist and speak out about ungodly things contrary to God’s Word, we face the consequence of “cancellation.”
What’s worse, is that some Christian leaders have now conformed to secularized ways of living and ideologies and, have encouraged their congregants to accept these ungodly, new social norms in the name of love and acceptance. Why? In order that they may keep their pews filled and their tithes coming in, and avoid being cancelled. This is another reason why Christian living today is challenging and is becoming increasingly worse.
Christian Conformity to this World
It is difficult to tell the difference between a Christian and a non-Christian today. A lot of Christians live the same lifestyle and engage in the same behaviours and activities as non-Christians.
Romans 12:2 “Be ye not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
Christians today have become so secularized and immoral, themselves, that they do the opposite of what Paul taught us: “prove what is good, acceptable, and perfect.” And, some church leaders are unashamedly leading them astray by going against Paul’s teachings, and Jesus’ Word.
If You Don’t Stand for Something, You’ll Fall for Anything
Remember the old adage, “if you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for anything?” Well, it’s like that with some Christians today. A lot of them are lukewarm, on the fence, which is the most dangerous place to be. They are not sure what they believe, and this makes it easy for them to conform to this immoral world, especially when their own leaders are encouraging them to be tolerant.
It is human nature to want to belong and be valued and accepted. So, you acquiesce to someone’s will. But, when that goes against your Christian principles and beliefs, how do you reconcile this with your convictions? Even when your church leader goes against God’s Word?
For these reasons, Christian living in today’s world is challenging. And this is why it’s important to have an individual spiritual relationship with God. When you find yourself in a compromising position and are told by your leaders to accept new social norms, in the name of acceptance and tolerance, you’ll be able to choose God’s Word, and reject everything else.
Romans 12:9 “Abhor that which is evil, and cleave to that which is good.” So, when you truly love God and carry His Word in your heart; and reject evil and choose good, you’re honouring Him and proving your stand for Him.
A Lot of Christians Today are Religious
A lot of Christians today are content with being religious rather than spiritual. And, some don’t even recognize the difference. I believe one of the reasons is that they are heavily influenced by this immoral, secularized world, and feel pressure to conform. Because most people in their lives are non-Christians. They enjoy their Christian lifestyle by going to church weekly, listening to feel-good messages, paying tithes, and even doing charitable work. They are satisfied with this kind of Christian living and never achieve spiritual growth.
Fewer Christians maintain an individual spiritual life – a life, living in daily surrender to the Holy Spirit, allowing Him to guide you and direct you. A life striving to become better Christians by applying the Word to their lives. Confessing, repenting and abstaining from sin. God requires us to both attend church services, and maintain an individual spiritual relationship with Him in order to grow closer to Him.
To that end, Christian living in today’s world has become increasingly challenging. We are expected to accept and conform to ungodly, new social norms while sacrificing Christian beliefs and values. Some Christian leaders have conformed too, encouraging their members to follow suit.
Christians who don’t take a firm stance on their beliefs find themselves acquiescing to avoid being rejected, shamed and considered hateful. As Christians, we must stand steadfast on God’s Word and be firm in our beliefs. And focus on striving in this immoral world keeping the faith and waiting for the Lord to come.