Hope and Holiness in a Secular Age
In a world that seems to be shifting beneath our feet, how do we as Christians navigate the changing tides of culture and society? As the views of Christians and their ethics move from being honored to viewed as weird, and potentially even harmful, we find ourselves in a position not unlike believers throughout history. For two thousand years, Christians have faced the challenge of living faithfully in environments that range from indifferent to hostile.
The concept of being "exiles" in this world is a powerful one. It reminds us that while we live here, our true citizenship lies elsewhere. We are part of a higher Kingdom, and this perspective should shape how we interact with the world around us.
So how can we be faithfully present in our cultural exile? Let's explore this through three key questions:
1. How should we view the world?
Our worldview is critical. It's like putting on a pair of glasses that color everything we see. The secular worldview suggests that what we can see and touch is all there is. The Canadian Philosopher, Charles Taylor, who wrote the masterpiece A Secular Age, calls this perspective the immanent frame. But the gospel vision offers a broader perspective: there is more than what meets the eye. God has made Himself known in Jesus, and this reality should inform how we see everything else.
We must be vigilant against "mental intoxication" that can lead us to focus on other seemingly good things at the expense of the gospel. In our digital age, where we're constantly bombarded with information and entertainment, it's more crucial than ever to intentionally put on our "gospel lenses" every day.
Consider limiting digital inputs and embracing biblical inputs. Make a conscious decision to view the world through the lens of the gospel. This doesn't mean withdrawing from society, but rather engaging with it from a place of spiritual clarity and purpose.
2. Where should we place our hope?
Hope is a powerful force. It can give us the strength to persevere through seemingly impossible circumstances. But where we place our hope matters immensely.
The secular world offers many options for hope: political power, wealth, comfort, pleasure or personal achievement. But these are ultimately unstable foundations. The biblical vision calls us to "set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed."
This isn't wishful thinking or blind optimism. Christian hope is a solid expectation based on the promises of God. It's the confident assurance that God will make all things new. This hope should be our anchor, unchanging and unshakeable even when everything else seems uncertain.
Imagine early Christians facing persecution and death for their faith. Their hope couldn't be in political leaders or economic prosperity. It had to be in something – someone – much greater. As followers of Jesus today, we're called to the same radical hope.
Where is your hope truly placed? Is it in a political party, the stock market, your own abilities, or in Jesus alone? The answer to this question will profoundly shape how you navigate the challenges of our time.
3. How then should we live?
Understanding our worldview and placing our hope in Jesus should lead to a distinct way of life. We're called to live as "obedient children," trusting God's vision of good and evil rather than creating our own standards.
This call to holiness isn't about earning God's favor through good behavior. It's a response to the love and grace we've already received. We're adopted into God's family, and our lives should reflect our new identity.
Holiness means being set apart, both internally and externally. It's about following the example of Jesus in all areas of life. This doesn't mean withdrawing from the world, but engaging it with a different set of values and priorities.
Living holy lives in a secular age isn't about joyless rule-following. It's about displaying what Mark Sayers calls "something of the captivating beauty of God's revelation in Christ, drawing those around them closer to God and to consider who Jesus is."
The Gospel: Our Foundation and Motivation
At the heart of this call to hope and holiness is the gospel itself. God's plan for salvation wasn't a reactionary measure, but something chosen before the foundation of the world. The immense cost of our redemption – the precious blood of Christ – should inspire both reverent fear and profound gratitude.
Our faith and hope are in God, not in our ability to be good enough or in the changing tides of culture. Because of what Jesus has done, we can live with unshakeable hope and pursue holiness even in a hostile, secular age.
Practical Steps Forward
As we seek to live out these truths, consider the following:
1. Examine your worldview: Are you seeing reality through the lens of the gospel, or have you become stuck in a purely materialistic vision of life? Pray for God to open your eyes to the fuller reality of His kingdom.
2. Evaluate your hope: Where are you truly placing your trust and expectations? If you find your hope resting in anything other than Jesus, take time to repent and realign your heart.
3. Pursue holiness: Reflect on areas where you've been following your own desires rather than God's will. Remember, the call to holiness isn't about earning God's love, but responding to it.
4. Embrace spiritual formation: Limit the voices and inputs that shape your thinking. Intentionally engage with Scripture and spiritual practices that reinforce a gospel-centered worldview.
5. Live as faithful exiles: Engage with your community and culture, not in fear or hostility, but as representatives of a greater Kingdom. Look for ways to be a source of hope and light in a world that desperately needs it.
In a world of constant change and increasing hostility to Christian values, we have an opportunity to shine brightly. By viewing the world through the lens of the gospel, placing our hope fully in Jesus, and pursuing lives of holiness, we can be faithful witnesses to the transforming power of God's love. May we embrace our identity as exiles, knowing that our ultimate citizenship is in a Kingdom that will never fade or fail.