| Good morning everyone, Our theme for this month: “Personal Responsibility” Our Bible verse for today: “Many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another.” Matthew 24:10 (NKJV) Our thought for today: “Let’s cancel cancel-culture” In chapter seven of his great book, “Where Do We Go from Here?” David Jeremiah addresses the issue of cancel culture. He points out how pervasive it has become and how it could be an indication that we are rapidly approaching the End Times. In the introduction to that chapter he writes, “It is one of the great ironies of our age that while we are living during a time when almost any behavior is celebrated no matter how sinful, we are simultaneously living in a time where any small misstep, public or private, could be the catalyst of our own social and financial ruin.” He’s right. We live in a time when everything is tolerated, and at the same time, nothing is tolerated. On the one hand, the most outrageous and despicable behaviors are declared to be normal and even good, but on the other hand even the smallest indiscretion can incite an online mob of condemnation, ridicule, and ruin. People everywhere are perpetually offended, and their judgments are arbitrary and capricious. In Matthew 24:10 Jesus warned us that the closer we get to the End Times, the more the spirit of offense will reign. We’re certainly seeing that in our day. However, Christians should not get caught-up in that (or feed into it). We should not be part of the perpetually offended cancel-culture mob mentality, nor should we engage in the silly, angry, overheated rhetoric that comes with that kind of thinking. As David Jeremiah said, “It makes me cringe to see Christians losing their tempers trying to share the truth. We can’t avoid the culture wars, but the tone of our conversation is critical. Colossians 4:6 says, “Let your conversation be gracious as well as sensible, for then you will have the right answer for everyone (TLB).” Likewise, 1 Peter 3:15-16 instructs us, “Be ready at any time to give a defense to anyone who ask you for a reason for the hope that is in you. Yet do this with gentleness and respect.” I’ll leave you this morning with one more thought from David Jeremiah, “That is my challenge for you as you seek to navigate the troubled waters of cancel culture. Don’t be frustrated. Don’t get angry. Don’t let yourself become caught up in the silly arguments or escalating conflicts that are increasingly common. Instead, ask God to fill you with His wisdom. Ask in faith, believing the truth of His Word. Pray for discernment, and He will give it to you.” Let’s cancel cancel-culture by refusing to be a part of it. God bless, Pastor Jim |
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