I do not often fixate on the headlines because it can cause me to be overwhelmed by evil. It should come as no surprise when the Prince of Peace, the Author of Truth, and the Giver of Life is rejected that a nation would be appearing lost and confused.  Human life is dispensable when it's divorced from the truth that we were created in the image of God. Even now, states allow abortion up to the moment of birth and children being a nuisance thinking underlies the devaluation of life. 

Lyndsey Clancy choked to death her three young children with a sports band. Two of her children might have even watched her murder their siblings. Yet she has a celebrity status with many. I am surprised by how many Christians feel bad for her but nothing is mentioned of the dead children.

Luigi Mangione is on trial accused in shooting death of a healthcare CEO and father of small children on the streets of NY.  Some people wear Luigi & Mario t-shirts to celebrate his "cause". What is not mentioned is this man was not breaking any law and his children are fatherless.

Finally, Charlie Kirk's accused murderer stated he hated the message of Mr. Kirk and wanted to silence it.  Many in the press or society applauded his death and mocked his widow. It would appear that his life was worthless because of his stance on many issues in America. The underlying message is that silencing unpopular viewpoints is justified.  What cannot be ignored is the fact Christian, Jewish, and conservative thinking is a virus that should be eliminated. Left, liberal, and woke thinking should be the norm, it doesn't want to be challenged nor debate in the public realm. 

Behind all of these murder trials there is about 20% of the country who support killing when they disagree with someone.  What was once wrong or hateful for centuries is now seen as right and just to around a fifth of the population. Usually moral post mortem discovery illuminates a common trend. Let's dissect the LGBTQ movement for a moment to shine a light on the common themes. The push for gay and lesbian acceptance origniated as allowing people to just love one another in "non-traditional" ways.  This is more of a private matter and people should be allowed to love in their own way. Notice God's design for relationship based on thousands of years is not discussed. Subtly, the next phase is the growth in a vocal outcry against "homophobic" behavior and hate speech. No longer, is there a discussion for their side is the only just view.

Finally, a call to eliminate opposing thought and silence others leads to the devaluing of life in those who oppose the new cultural realignment. Killing then becomes a viable work around. Life is disposable when it's inconvenient. Abortion followed the same process of cultural thought transformation. Keep your hands off of my ovaries was a common cry, but where is that cry when young children are subjected to having body parts removed and mutilation occur when they are led to believe God made a mistake in creating their gender. Life is disposable or can be recreated when disagreements cannot be silenced and opposing views are no longer tolerated. 

As followers of Christ we must be cognizant that Christianity is seen as divisive, close-minded, and archaic ways of thinking. If we stay quiet, do not oppose, and go along with cultural decay we will be tolerated, but for how long? We are at a time in our country's history where the growth of persecution should not come as a surprise.  Much of society now accepts things that God says is evil and wrong. The slow dying of old mainstream denominations show a similar post mortem discovery. When God's Word and design is forsaken and the world's influence becomes paramount, the presence of the Lord withdraws silently and those churches age and die off. The Lord won't bless sin nor will He be mocked. 

So, what does a surrendered follower of Christ do? If we don't stand for truth we will fall for every new thought pattern introduced into society. Does arguing with mental depravity further truth or hold together societal norms like it once did? Is the public square still open to real conversation or will it devolve into accusations and hate? Are there many remaining Judeo Christian fibers holding society together or has the spiritual dark moth weakened them beyond repair? You see there is no bystanders in cultural decay, everyone is impacted. Remaining silent and failing to stay true to God's Word has eroded the church's impact in this age. God doesn't lack power, but when His church drifts from Him a vacuum is created that is quickening in its devouring of what was once good. This is no longer theoretical in nature it is reality.

If Christians follow the same methodology of going silent or placidly accepting evil and sin, how can we expect the blessings and power of God to be in our churches or society?  To agree with and befriend the world draws us further from the will of God. Unless we spend time in prayer closets, meditation on God's Word, and work out our faith in real biblical community we offer no hope or solution. 

Victory has been won, it doesn't seem so when we no longer believe in it, fight for it, and are led by Him who paid for it with His own life. There can be change, but it must come from the local church which can help transform one heart at a time with the Gospel. That is the opposite of what the world has been doing slowly changing each heart by convincing it to abandon truth and the love of life. 

The solution has always been the church, where life is done in His image and there is no confusion as to how to live it and spread it by creating more disciples. Together in Victory.