Matthew 5:14-16, “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”

Throughout the course of the last year and a half, I have been consistently keeping up with what is going on in our country. From the COVID pandemic to the Black Lives Matter movement, to the riots, to Antifa, to the election, to COVID, to masks, to the erosion of basic human biology, to President Biden’s difficulties, to COVID, to Fauci, to the Capital riot, to the CDC’s flipflopping, to the Woke athletes, to our education systems’ aggressive pushing of Critical Race Theory, and on and on.

As I read, hear, and consume; I’ve seen some interesting patterns emerging:

  1. Anger. Wow, are people ever angry these days!! Frequently words like outraged, incensed, demanded, shouted, violence, fractured, argument, abolish, shocking, injustice, insult, disgrace, disrespect, mockery, threatens, protest, shameful, and so on permeate our news feed. It seems anger attracts and sells these days. Violence is up, shootings are up, murders are up, rioting is up, unrest is up, looting is up, theft is up, robbery is up. Take it from James when he says, “Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.”  James 1:19-20.
  2. Reaction. It seems the best way to elicit an angry reaction is to put a camera in someone’s face and ask them to give their opinion. So many people are so quick to give their opinions without seeking understanding and wisdom. Take one incident, sprinkle a pinch of camera, mix it with a chance at fame, and add emotion and you get a heaping pile of foolishness. Take it from Solomon: “A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion.” Proverbs 18:2
  3. Hypocrisy. This is a big one! Boy, do we ever love to point out when people fall short of their standards?! Politicians, media personalities, celebrities, bosses, coworkers, church leaders, parents, and neighbors are easy fodder for the hungry beast of hypocrisy. Because of sin, it’s not hard to find fault in other people. And when we see and expose the evil in others, we begin to feel we aren’t so bad after all.  Actually, we’re quite good, really. Take it from the apostle Paul, “For there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:22b-23.
  4. Division. Everyone seems to be pretty glad they are not like the other guys, whom they have demonized, degraded, and slammed any way they can.  Everywhere you turn it seems people are eager to point out how different they are from everyone else; how unique; how individual; how special. The truth is we have far more in common than not. Like, by a whole lot! Take it from the apostle Paul as he speaks to our responsibility before Christ to repent and submit to Christ; “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”  Galatians 3:28
  5. Foolishness. It seems people are becoming more and more adept at simply making stuff up and peddling it to anyone who will be angry, react, point out the hypocrisy, and use the silliness to create more division between themselves and said folly peddler. Our society is supersaturated with stupidity. What is happening today is aligning with Romans 1:18-32. Succinctly. Clearly. Perfectly. Take it from Solomon: “Folly is a joy to him who lacks sense.” Proverbs 15:21

What are followers of Christ supposed to do in this day and age? Jesus says in Matthew 5 that we are the light of the world; a shining beacon of good in a world full of darkness. We are to think, act, and speak the grace of Christ.

So, what are you shining?

  • Anger or Peace?
  • Reactions or Biblical Thinking?
  • Hypocrisy or Humility?
  • Division or Unity?
  • Foolishness or Wisdom?

In light of the example of Jesus, I’m going to leave you with these questions to ponder.

  • When was the last time you read a news story, heard a broadcast, or learned a new tidbit of information and it drove you to seriously seek after how you can love better?
  • When was the last time you read a news story, heard a broadcast, or learned a new tidbit of information and it drove you to meditate, contemplate, think, research, and come to a loving, truthful, and biblical conclusion?
  • When was the last time you read a news story, heard a broadcast, or learned a new tidbit of information and it lead to you exemplify Jesus’ words in Matthew 5:3ff to consider your own poverty of soul?
  • When was the last time you read a news story, heard a broadcast, or learned a new tidbit of information and you determined to continue to find ways to unite yourself to your fellow human beings?
  • When was the last time you read a news story, heard a broadcast, or learned a new tidbit of information and you allowed it to fan into flame a desire to deepen the wisdom in your soul?