Thursday, August 28, 2014

This Weekend's Message: The Wrong Side of History



“The wrong side of history” has become a common phrase in recent cultural and political conversations. It is used to describe people who cling to a way of life, a system of beliefs, or a moral code that is fading out of existence (or at least out of favor). The threat of being on the wrong side of history can seem daunting. It can feel like being an aging, broken-down boxer, while the young up-and-comers begin to take over. All of us want to be the kind of people who, when our grandchildren look back on us, will be viewed as being on the right side of controversial and divisive issues.
           
It can often feel like Christians are on the wrong side of history. In our culture, many Christian beliefs are viewed as unenlightened. Many Christian moral beliefs are viewed as outdated. Many Christian movements can feel like they are fading. At a global level, and at an individual level, it can be intimidating to feel like many Christians are viewed as the aging boxer who refuses to hang up his gloves.
           
If you are a Christian, do you ever struggle to feel that you are on the wrong side of history? If you are not a Christian, do you tend to view Christians as people on the wrong side of history? This Sunday, in some of his last words to His disciples, Jesus gives a different perspective—and a different grid—for understanding what it looks like to be on the right side of history.

Dan

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