There can be no debate today that Christians living in America and other Western nations are living in an anti-Christian culture. The proliferation of sexual depravity, infant murder in the womb, gender confusion, and pluralism in both philosophy and religion make it clear that Christianity no longer holds the influence it once had. Furthermore, ideological attacks on Christianity, as well as efforts to label caucasian conservative Christian men as being directly responsible for any and all evil in our nation, demonstrate that the culture is not just ignoring Christian influence but is trying to remove it altogether. The question then that must be asked is how Christians live in a culture that hates and loathes their existence.

Many Christians today believe the answer to this question lies directly in political activism. Be it attempting to influence the existing government to be more favorable to Christian beliefs or calling for a direct takeover of all governmental institutions, it is argued that the only practical means to reverse this course is through the legal enforcement of Christian ideals. There is some truth that Christians ought to be involved in the political process. Christian principles call us to live out all that Christ has commanded us in every aspect of our lives. The sociopolitical sphere, especially in nations where the freedom to vote exists, is a part of those lives. We dare not neglect the opportunity to bring Christian truth into the political realm, calling on our representatives to honor God’s word as true and to reject all that opposes His commandments. It is a wise Christian who seeks to influence the nation to obey God at every level for the betterment of its citizens. We know that God establishes government for the benefit of His people. Therefore, we ought to make use of the liberty under which we live to call our governing authorities to submit to the God who is responsible for their very existence.

Scripture does indicate it is permissible and even wise for the Christian to engage governing authorities. We see this in John the Baptist rebuking Herod (Matt. 14:4) and when Paul appeals to his Roman citizenship to address his unlawful arrest and pending flogging (Acts 22:22-29). However, it is not commanded that every Christian must be engaged in such activism and there is no teaching to what level each person must participate. There is no specific command that any Christian must engage in politics to address the matters before us. We most certainly can do so but we are not required to do so. It is also not the primary means by which an anti-Christian culture must be engaged. What is our primary calling then? The answer can be found in 1 Peter 3:14-16:

“But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.”

Peter’s admonition here reveals two things that Christians are called to do regardless of what kind of culture they find themselves in. First and foremost is the proclamation and defense of the gospel. Christ commanded His disciples, and by extension all Christians, to go out into the world, proclaiming the gospel and making even more disciples (Matt. 28:19-20). Peter expounds on this command by writing that we are to be prepared, mentally and spiritually, to bring a defense of the gospel to all who ask it of us. This we do by the regular study of Scripture, preparing our hearts and minds to respond to such questions and objections with the word of God itself. We must also be in a state of constant prayer, exalting Christ as Lord, and communing with Him that He would ready us to serve whenever we are called upon. The only thing that can change hearts that hate Christ and desire to rebel against Him is the message that He suffered, died, and rose again to redeem such sin-hardened rebels. All Christians are called to share this message with sinners who are bound for Hell.

In conjunction with the preaching of the gospel is the command that Christians should live righteously in a God-hating world. While Peter commands the preaching of the gospel “with gentleness and respect” he also calls on us to do so “having a good conscience.” While our consciences are clear before God insomuch as we are forgiven by Christ and have received His righteousness, we must also live our lives in such obedience to the commands of God that the world recognizes our behavior as that which is honoring to Him. Such a lifestyle of obedience will inevitably bring about their hatred of us, as they already hate Christ, so much so they will revile and slander us. Yet, it is that same walk of righteousness and holiness that demonstrates that we are a people set apart by God for His work and His purpose. It is a visible demonstration to the world of exactly what the gospel is and what it accomplishes. The spoken message is reinforced by the lives of those who follow Christ.

What does such obedience look like? Paul reveals this in Romans 12:9-21, where he commands Christians to show genuine love, hate evil, love that which is good, serve the Lord with zeal, show hospitality to others, weep with those who weep, seeking to live in harmony with others while avoiding pride and haughtiness in our own lives, and, as much as it depends on ourselves, to live peaceably with those around us. We are even called to love those who hate us to the point of persecuting us by doing good, not seeking vengeance upon them, but rather caring and providing for their needs. We also put on display the love we have for God through such simple acts as when we show love and submission in our marriages, honor and obey our parents, work heartily in our jobs, and show respect to those who serve under ourselves (see Eph. 5:22-6:9). In other words, our lives should not be marked by conflict and division with others, but lived in such a way that people recognize our efforts to live in peace even when they cannot stand us.

The Christian is called to engage the Christ-rejecting culture by calling the people to repentance and obedience to the Lord. We bolster that message by living in such a way that the world sees the commandments of Christ are honored in our lives. This causes the world to be confronted with the gospel in action which results in either their abject hatred of God and His people or draws them to Christ as they recognize their desperate need for a Savior. While some may see this as ineffective in changing the culture as a whole in the short term, it is God’s commandment to His people in all places and at all times. This does not preclude or prevent Christians from engaging in political activism, but it must inform how such engagement occurs. Any activism that does not put forward the gospel first and foremost, and which neglects our calling to love our enemies while living peaceably with others, is merely a man-centered effort that can only achieve subjective and pragmatic results. Therefore, to whatever extent we wish to engage the culture at large, we must always do so with the intent to proclaim the gospel and demonstrate our love for God through our obedience to His word.

Note: This article was also published at X.com.