From Us to You – August 2024

Flip tables or turn the other cheek. How is it that Christ followers should respond to those around us? 

The month of July started with literal fireworks, and ended with figurative fireworks with the opening ceremony of the Olympics. Many Christians took offense at some of the things depicted during the opening ceremonies. Early reports described it as “drag queens and other performers in a configuration reminiscent of Jesus Christ and his apostles” at the Last Supper. Others said no, rather “It was a representation of the event called the Feast of Dionysus, Greek God of festivity and feasting…” Either way, it was an affront to those of us with moral sensibilities. 

The larger question to me is, should it surprise us when the world acts like the world? And what does the Bible say about how we should respond to a “crooked and twisted the generation?” (Philippians 2:15 ESV) That same verse actually tells us when it goes on to say:

“…among whom you shine as lights in the world.” Yes! Situations like this are opportunities for us to be the light. 

In fact, like the apostle Paul on Mars Hill, whose “spirit was provoked…when he saw the city was full of idols” (Acts 17:16) we too can use the opportunity to share what Christ did for us on the cross. Ironically, one of the men who responded to Paul’s message was named Dionysius. 

Here at WRGN, we are “holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ (we) may be proud that (we) did not run in vain or labor in vain.” (Philippians 2:16)

Holding fast,

Tim Madeira