The Battle Goes On:

Often, in the midst of a church controversy, someone will say, "I'm tired of the fighting.  Let's try something else."  At another gathering, people will be talking about an ongoing debate in Congress or the crisis in the Middle East, and someone will say, "Why can't we all just get along?"  I get almost as weary of hearing these kinds of comments as those people get of the discussions themselves!  I'm tired of compromise which leads to capitulation, and an insipid attitude that leads to love of superficial peace over love of truth and conviction born of principle.

 

The problem is that to be a good citizen or churchman requires vigilance.  At times, of course, compromise is wise.  It isn't worth splitting the church over the color of the carpet or the volume of the organ, or even the temperature in the sanctuary!  Those are hardly issues of principle or theological significance.  When we say, however, that we're "tired of the fight," or we wonder "why can't we all  just get along," we are betraying a basic misunderstanding of what it means to be a Christian or even an involved citizen in a republic.

 

We can influence the church, the nation, or the society in positive ways, but only if we are willing to pay the price.  Of course, we can just remain pre-occupied with our own affairs, self-absorbed and  contained in our own little world; but that is really not only a selfish but a short-sighted approach to life.  Do we not want a better country, a more faithful church, a great heritage to pass down to our children and grandchildren?  Do we not want those who come after us to enjoy some of the same privileges and freedoms and learn of the same faith that nurtured and sustained us?  For that matter, do we not desire that even in our own lifetime, the church and the country and the culture that we've known will still exist--strong and true?

 

Sometimes, church people talk as though if only this one battle can be won, then they can get back to the real mission of the church.  But as someone pointed out at a conference I attended several years ago, maintaining the integrity of the message of Christianity, holding on to the landmarks of the church, is part of the real mission of the church.  The battle goes on.  The faithful disciple can never rest.  Those who desire to take away these truths and undermine Christ and His church do not give up.  They never say, "I'm tired of the fight."  They are never willing to "try something different" just to gain a temporary cease-fire!  To be "reformed, always reforming" in the light of Scripture demands constant vigilance.  Faithfulness never comes easy.

 

In the same way, to be a responsible citizen means knowing and confronting the issues, voting with forethought, engaging those around us and seeing the "big picture" and the higher principles that go beyond temporary convenience.  Ideas have power.  Words have meaning.  Decisions have consequences.

 

I've always been drawn to the struggle.  I enjoy Parliamentary procedure because it is the most orderly way to ensure fair debate and open discussion.  How can we, as Christians or as American patriots, afford to shy away from hard realities just so we won't be bothered by the difficult task of thinking?  This does not mean that we always have to adopt a style that is personally confrontational or nasty.  Neither does it mean, however, that we allow the world to think we're asleep or apathetic.  When outrageous events  occur or hideous ideas are expressed, we are willing to call evil by its right name.  We know that faithful discipleship and civic responsibility are ongoing and are often connected.  The church cannot afford the luxury of experimenting with false unity based on dubious principles; and our culture cannot afford the luxury of those who would sacrifice western civilization for their own short-lived personal security or convenience.  Truly, the battle goes on.