There's a lot of turmoil in our country and everyone seems to want the United States to get "back on track." A lot of social commentary reminds me of this clip from "The Office":
Dunder Mifflin has been downsizing and facing a recession and is in danger of going out of business. The shareholders want answers, but those in the highest offices have no solutions but bankruptcy. Unfortunately, they bring along Michael Scott, regional manager of the Scranton branch, which is performing well. Michael grabs the microphone to try and in an effort to try and ease the tension, promises a detailed plan is coming to get the company back on track. Unfortunately, there is no plan and it's an empty promise.
That reminds me of the current political climate in the United States: Many people run for various offices with ideas and suggestions, but no real plan as to how to implement change or pay for their suggestions and things stay the same. Also in this clip, you can see the massive crowd that is frustrated and angry at their inept leadership and it's almost become like a mob. That also reminds me of the United States. We're in this mob mentality where our frustrations are leading us to extreme action, violent demonstrations, and mostly, hateful social media posts. Surely, there's a better way.
As Christians, we should always look to God's Word for guidance. One overlooked book that's applicable today is the book of Jude. You can read it here (it's 1 chapter). In verses 5-11, Jude talks about people that have snuck into the church unnoticed and internally are destroying it by obeying wordly doctrines and verse 8 says, "[They] defile the flesh, reject authority, and speak evil of dignitaries." Verse 10 says, "But these speak evil of whatever they do not know; and whatever they know naturally, like brute beasts, in these things they corrupt themselves." Remember, 1 Corinthians 2:14 says the natural man - the unsaved person - cannot receive the things of the Spirit because they are like foolishness to them. Verse 16-19 tells us about these apostates, "These are grumblers, complainers, walking according to their own lusts; and they mouth great swelling words, flattering people to gain advantage. But you, beloved, remember the words which were spoken before by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ: how they told you that there would be mockers in the last time who would walk according to their own ungodly lusts. These are sensual persons, who cause divisions, not having the Spirit."
They grumble, complain, walk after their own desires, not God's, they might have influence and gain advantage through their words, sensual persons that cause divisions. This might sound like a lot of churches today. A lot of churches talk about church discipline, but we shy away when it comes time to practice it. But ultimately, as Christians, we need to do as Jesus commanded and "go." Share our faith, love others like Jesus commanded in John 15:12, and also response like Jude tells us in verses 20-21, "But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life." We have to remain in the Holy Spirit and keep oureslves in the love of God. We have to show Jesus to those who don't know Him. 1 Peter 3:15 tells us to be ready to give a defense for those who ask for the hope that's within you. Why would they ask? Because they see you living differently than those in the world.