Counter CultureSample

Faith

The greatest social injustice in the world today and see that every cultural issue—no matter how controversial—is ultimately a matter of believing and applying the gospel to our lives. It’s inevitable that people disagree with one another. Yet a Christian’s desire for other people should be twofold.

1. We desire that others join us in faith, sharing our belief in the gospel of Jesus.

2. We respect those who don’t share our belief.

For both of these desires we must be unapologetic and unwavering. If we believe the gospel is true, then of course we desire for others to likewise experience the joy of salvation and the hope of eternal life in relationship with our Creator and Father through faith in Jesus, His only Son.

Likewise, based on everything we’ve studied—all people being created in the image of God, with equal dignity and worth, regardless of gender, ethnicity, or other factors—we respect every man and woman. Without condoning sin or affirming values, beliefs, and behaviors contrary to God’s Word, we love our neighbors as ourselves.

However, we love our neighbors best when we faithfully, compassionately, and winsomely share the gospel with them in the hope that they would believe. Jesus has told us to “make disciples.” That’s our command. Every disciple is called to make more disciples. We’re to do this as we go—wherever we are and anywhere the Spirit leads. This isn’t a professional job description in the sense that only salaried employees of churches and mission organizations are to make disciples. If every disciple is taught to obey everything Jesus commands, that includes this command to “go therefore and make disciples” (v. 19). We do this because Jesus has “all authority in heaven and on earth” (v. 18). We do this in the confidence of that same reality and His promise to be with us as we go.