If We’re to Influence the World, We Can’t Let the World Influence Us
I’ve written a lot about personal influence, but not so much about church influence.
As followers of Jesus, we should seek to influence others, to have a positive impact on them. This means we must seek positive influences for our lives and let the Bible shape our worldview. The same applies to our churches.
A Backwards View
We can’t let the world’s influences overshadow Biblical truth. Yet too many churches have lost sight of this. They’ve lost their authority.
They have no influence over the world. This is because the world influences them—and not the other way around. But they have it backwards.
Over time, churches have let society’s views overshadow what the Bible says. They’ve given into public opinion. They’ve become politically correct. In the process, they’ve become culturally irrelevant.
As a result, few people want to know what the church says anymore. This is because the church mimics the world around them. They have nothing unique to offer.
At best these churches twist the Bible to support their worldly perspectives. At worst, they ignore what Scripture says altogether.
It’s little wonder that few people outside the church respect the institution or have any esteem for what it offers. In truth, too many people within the church feel the same way.
They’ve lost respect for it and don’t esteem what it offers. It seems church influence no longer exists and has no sway on the world we should want to point to Jesus.
Church Influence Prescription
What is the solution to restore church influence? It’s to become worthy of respect.
This includes getting along with each other, not being hypocritical, and speaking the truth in love. We should follow the example of the early church, which had a great reputation.
We can find insight in all of these through the Bible. Yet too many churches today—and the people who go there—minimize or even disregard what the Bible says.
Yes, they might refer to it in their messages or read portions of it in their services or liturgy, but they fail to make what the Bible teaches a priority. More correctly, they fail to make all of what the Bible teaches a priority.
It’s no wonder that church influence has eroded in recent years. Many churches disregard the Bible, but they might not even know it.
Instead, these churches tailor their messages to align with what the world thinks rather than seeking to affect it.
Put the Bible First
To reclaim church influence, it must reclaim its use of Scripture. Instead of trying to interpret the Bible through the lens of public opinion and political correctness, it’s imperative to step back and do the opposite.
We—and our churches—must embrace the Bible for what it says and not what we want it to say.
Though putting the Bible first and taking a stand for the truth it proclaims may not be popular or easy, it’s the right thing to do.
As we do so, our church influence can reemerge to provide the God-honoring direction that our world so desperately needs.
Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.
Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.
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