Is it still okay to say it’s not okay?
What I mean to say with my duck analogy is, of course, that life is a paradox. The life of a Christian is definitely ducky. We live in perfect peace while fighting against the devil, temptation, and even own inner selves. We accept that we’re wretched in our lost condition, an enemy of God. And then just like that we’re washed clean and we’re called friends of God. We’re weak, but made strong in Christ. We are most helpless, but never hopeless. We worship a poor carpenter who was born in a barn and died on a cross, knowing that He is King in our hearts and King of the world. We’re destined for Hell, but we’re going to Heaven. We must stand strong against the evil surrounding us. And we must humbly offer Christ to those standing against us.
I saw a post on social media proclaiming that “if
Christianity is to survive in America, then it is time we start standing up and
speaking out against people and organization that disrespect us!” Now, I may
have some friends and followers who liked this post and shared it. I get
it—good Christian people are fed up and demanding equal voice. Or at least a
little validation that they matter as much as anyone. It’s okay to speak up—we
still have that right. But what we get is a “sit down and shut up” attitude
from media and popular opinion. And we Christians are feeling, what…left out? Can we really
expect the approval of this world?
Okay, we should stand up for certain rights. I will stand for the rights of the smallest human beings, even if they’re not born yet. For
the rights of common normalcy, even if being normal is out of fashion. For the
right to freedom, even if it’s edging away. While I’m standing, I’ll consider
that for every unborn human in danger, there’s a mother who needs godly council.
I’ll keep in mind that normal doesn't necessarliy constitute righteousness. I’ll remember
that my guarantee of freedom by the rulers of the land is temporary. My only
true freedom comes by the blood of Christ. And so I will stand for the rights
of the lost to hear the message of the Gospel, even if they consider it foolishness.
But there’s a duck in the pond claiming I have no rights.
I’m bought and paid for. I belong to Christ. I’m waiting patiently in a dark
place for my Redeemer’s light to break through. I have no fear of being left in
darkness, or of not getting my due respect on Planet Earth. I can’t change
anything and I don’t want to gripe about it anymore. I don’t care who uses the
bathroom at Target. I’m pretty sure I don’t have the right to modern, proper,
or even private facilities. Most people around the world aren’t so fortunate. It’s
just one of many rights we only think we possess, and I'm willing to give it up.
As soon as I say that, the other duck swims my way, quacking about a serious issue that is not being addressed. In our post-modern world there is a call for total acceptance of every deviation. No good end will come from regarding each pulse of carnal self-awareness, because that pulse is rebellion against God and it knows no limit. For example, gender identity draws our attention, and it’s not foreign to me because it has affected a member of my family. As a believer, I must stand for God’s purposeful design in creating both male and female. Even so, at times I might declare a ceasefire and lay down my right to be right in light of someone else’s need for redemption.
Can I preserve my right to share the truth? Can I fearlessly fight for what the Word of God tells me is right? I think I can. If God encourages me to fight, I’ll fight. If He impresses a silent war
of prayer, then I’ll pray. The law can’t govern how I pray, or to whom
I pray. It can’t stop me from speaking or writing or thinking. (Or voting!) At least, not where I live. Not yet. In some distant lands, the law comes down strong on people who dare to speak the truth. But I belong to a great King. This is His world and He will right all wrong. He’s the only One who can change a life. We can’t transform
ourselves, no matter how hard we try. Sure, it gets confusing sometimes, but nevermind the ducks. Follow the King.
