The following is a response I gave to a member who wanted direction in how to handle her neighbor's offensive Halloween decorations. In her words, "I feel like I am about to embark on a fight for Christ." Does Jesus need us to fight for Him? The following response deals with a lot more than just Halloween decorations. Please take a read. Thank you!
Many in the congregation have expressed concern over the offensive Halloween decorations some of their neighbors have been putting up in recent years. Although it is very offensive to our Christian sensibilities, there is little we could do in any legal manner to force them to take it down. The decorations, offensive though they may be, are not breaking any laws. They are located on private property. There is not much of anything to do to get them to take it down.
That said, we must always remember that the secular world has been, is, and will always be opposed to Christ and His Church. There's nothing new under the sun. Jesus never pulled the proverbial wool over the eyes of His followers. He was always upfront and honest about the cost of discipleship. He said, "If the world hates you, know it hated me first" Read John 15:18-27. "In this world you will have many trials, but take heart, for I have overcome the world" (John 16:33). The entire book of Revelation is one that shows how Satan and his minions will rage war against the Church of Christ, but that Christ has already won the ultimate victory. It is a book of comfort and grace for those of us who are found in faith. However, it is a book of doom for Satan and all his followers. The point of Revelation is that it is our Exodus story of how Jesus has delivered use from slavery in this world to sin, death and Satan, and has triumphed over the forces of evil. Our is the final victory in Jesus, the Lamb of God who is the conquering hero who takes away the sin of the world.
Jesus also teaches us that we are to pray for those who hate us, persecute us and say all kinds of evil against us on account of His name. Read Matthew 5:11-12. In fact we are to love, serve, pray for and cherish even those who hate us. Matthew 5:43-48.
These are just some of the many passages which address how much the world hates Christ and His Church, for we are now diametrically opposed to the ways of the evil world. We're no longer a part of it. Therefore it hates us. The worst possible thing we can do as Christians is to become surprised and offended by such negative reactions and things of offense to our faith. It literally comes with the territory. There's no surprises. If we become offended by everything that goes against our Christian sensibilities and want to retaliate, then we play right into the hands of Satan and our own evil nature. It does no good to get offended over these matters.
In fact your neighbor most likely wants to offend Christians. He will take great delight in fighting that fight. He wants to bait us into a human minded fight that is opposed to our faith, and thus exposes us as hypocrites. Believe me, I know these kind of people. They want the fight. They are ready for that kind of fight. What they are not prepared for is love, respect, service. . . These heap burning coals upon their heads (Proverbs 25:21-22, Romans 12:20). This is why Jesus wants us to be salt and light. Not to blend in and be bland in a world darkened by sin and death. But to stand out and shine, so that people will see our love and good deeds and give glory to our Father who is heaven (Matthew 5:14-16). That's what it means to be called to be different, to make a difference.
In addition, Jesus told us that "A new command I give you. You must love one another. As I have loved you, so you must also love one another. All people will know you are my disciples by your love for one another" (John 13:34-35). Love is the key commandment, as a fruit of faith.
The thing that actually gets me about much of evangelical Christianity today is how offended we become over everything that flies in the face of our beloved faith. Why are we surprised that the world has no moral compass? How can we hold the world to the standard of morality and faith that only we who have received the Holy Spirit via the means of grace have? The world is dead in sin. They don't know what is right or wrong. We should all listen to these words of Paul, "What business is it of mine to judge those outside of the Church? Are you not to judge those who are inside? God will judge the unbelievers. 'Expel the wicked person from among you.'" (I Corinthians 5:12-13). We are to be concerned about those who are of the faith acting sinfully. We are called to hold each other accountable to the high level of the faith. Sinners know noting of what is truly right and God pleasing. But we do. Therefore we hold each other accountable, not those outside of the faith (read Galatians 6:1-5). If the world revels in evil, in blasphemies, in lust and greed, violence and slander, then it is doing that which by nature it can only do. It is only through the power of the Holy Spirit working through the means of grace that hearts and minds are changed. It is not through legislation of morality. Morality cannot be legislated. It is not by our power or means, but by His Spirit alone that hearts are changed and faith instilled (Zechariah 4:6).
I hope this helps you. There are many things that will offend us, as Christians. But we are not called to judge the unbeliever or to hold them to the standard the Lord holds us, as His people. All we can do is pray for those people. Continue to invite them. Love them. Serve them, and share God's good gifts with them, "for freely (we) have received, freely give" (Matthew 10:5-8).
In Jesus Love and Service,
Reverend Eric E.Klemme
Lamb of God Lutheran Church
57210 Allen Rd. Slidell, LA 70458
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