Scripture: Ephesians 5:1-14
“Many evangelicals act like they are still living in Jerusalem or Samaria. Consider, for example, the issue of . . . taking personal offense at the behavior and language of unbelievers. If I go to see a movie in Babylon, should I not expect the film to reflect Babylonian beliefs and values? As a Christian, I may disagree strongly with those beliefs and find the values utterly contrary to God’s law, but surely that should not be surprising. Nor, if I am living in exile in Babylon, does it make sense to be offended that Babylonians act like Babylonians, or that they fail to make films that reflect the beliefs and values of Jerusalem . . . It is hard to live in exile, hard to be surrounded by people who do not share our deepest convictions. It is much easier to be reactionary in Babylon, and more satisfying, too, because being offended by them makes us feel so very righteous. Besides, it is disappointing to be stuck in Babylon when what we really want is to live in Jerusalem. It is hard work to find creative and winsome ways to translate the gospel into terms they will understand. It requires discipline to develop skill in discernment, and single-mindedness to nurture biblical literacy in the midst of busyness that presses in on us. It takes time and energy – and perhaps a great deal of study and thinking – to give honest answers to honest questions . . . It takes perseverance to love sinners whose sin we find repugnant, and humility to remember that our sin seems less wicked only because it is ours . . . Seeing ourselves as living in exile will help us better understand what that faithfulness consists of.”
– Denis Haack
“The world is drowning in its efforts at life; it does not need lifeguards who swim to it carrying barbells.”
– Robert Farrar Capon
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