Brutal and perverse culture

Philippians 2:14-16 TPT

Live a cheerful life, without complaining or division among yourselves. [15] For then you will be seen as innocent, faultless, and pure children of God, even though you live in the midst of a brutal and perverse culture. For you will appear among them as shining lights in the universe, [16] offering them the words of eternal life.

Even a cursory glance at the daily news will bring sufficient evidence to demonstrate that we are living in the midst of a brutal and perverse culture.

There's violence on our streets, violence as our entertainment, pornography freely available to encourage preverse behaviour.

The unseen, silent slaughter of the unborn goes on decriminalised and unabated as we titillate our materialistic sensory taste buds.

The flag of the Cross still flies above our nation as we outlaw silent prayer to the Lord Jesus who gave Himself up for us.

Yes, how has this former missionary nation fallen and continues to fall into darkness.

Who will be a voice crying in our wilderness? Who will stand for truth and justice for the poor and downtrodden?

We are called to be bright lights shining in a dark world. That beckons for a "God kind" of bravery, not cowered by the threats of a callous government, as we stand up for truth.

Christians have a higher government to which we adhere - the Government of Christ whose Kingdom is coming.

Governments can make laws which violate God's Word, but His boundaries cannot be moved.

There is a Cosmic Courtroom before which we all must stand and give account.

Hebrews 9:27-28 TPT

Every human being is appointed to die once, and then to face God's judgment. [28] But when we (believers) die we will be face-to-face with Christ, the One who experienced death once for all to bear the sins of many! And now to those who eagerly await Him, He will appear a second time; not to deal with sin, but to bring us the fullness of salvation.

How can we shine out in the darkness today?