Engaging The World

1 John 5:19-20

We know that we are children of God and that the world around us is under the control of the evil one. (1 John 5:19)

MANY OF THE EARLY REFORMERS caught up in the political and religious conflicts of the sixteenth century were convinced that Satan had thoroughly infiltrated all human systems and institutions. Governments, universities, church structures, everything—it was all under the sway of evil. That didn’t prevent them from soliciting the support of governments or starting new universities and church structures, but their belief that everything had been irreparably corrupted quickly made them give up on the goal of reforming the old. Instead, they aimed at starting something new.

The reformers may or may not have exaggerated the darkness they faced, but they did point to a biblical truth: that the fallenness of this world has led to the corruption of virtually every system and institution human beings construct. That doesn’t mean this world is as depraved as it could be, but it does mean its entirety has been touched by depravity. Many governments and institutions have served as agents of blessing, although imperfectly; and many have served as agents of horrific evil. In every case, the potential for neglecting God’s ways and furthering human rebellion is enormous.

Some Christians have taken that as justification for completely avoiding human institutions, as if abandoning them and their potential influence offers any sort of solution. The New Testament is much more optimistic about our involvement in normal life. Early Christians came from every walk of life. Paul seemed to connect with commercial circles, and he certainly never shied away from religious institutions. He realized that even governments that don’t recognize God’s authority have been allowed or instituted by God to preserve public order (Romans 13:1-5). We have nothing to gain by creating a separate subculture. Salt and light have no impact in isolation. Instead of corruption making Jesus unclean, his purity overcame corruption. Follow his lead and bring the freshness of your gifts and skills into a decaying world.

{Jesus, your holiness makes things pure; your freedom releases captives; your life overcomes death and decay. Transform any fear of being negatively influenced into confidence of influencing positively. Make me an agent of change. Amen.