Is it just me, or is being a Christian in our society getting harder and harder? It feels like culture is pulling further away from Gods intent.

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As Christians, We Are Living in Exile

Tessa De Vilbiss

Post Christian America + Exile 

“In postmodern society, being a Christian is essentially being in exile.” – John Mark Comer

What John Mark is touching on is a subject of conversation that has been coming up recently in our world. It is the idea of a Post-Christian America and exile.

In the midst of all this conversation, I find myself reading in Exodus, a book of the Bible which deals with Israel’s exile. Crazy how that works…thanks, Jesus! I have also been listening to a lot of sermons (here, here, and here) that are talking about the good old USA being post-Christian and how this is the new swing in our history. 

Culturally, being a professing Christian has always been an advantage, but now with politics and the media culture going farther and farther away from Christian moralism, it feels like it’s becoming harder to openly declare Jesus as Lord. 

We’ve lost the battle in society and the commands of God are not popular amongst cultural standards.

Yes, this is a bummer that society doesn’t have the same values that we do, but this is also an opportunity.

Let me explain.

No longer will we be under the illusion that being a Christian, or Christianity in general, is easy. With this knowledge, we will be more aware of the fight we fight to keep our faith and remain loyal to it. Unlike the past, we are now more similar to the apostles and the struggle they had to endure to pursue their faith. 

Tim Keller in “King’s Cross” says “when Christianity is in a place of power and wealth for a long period, the radical message of sin and grace and the cross can become mired or even lost.”

Is this the case for you? Have you let the radical message of sin and grace become a fleeting thought in your own mind?

This will be the test to show if our faith is genuine and fruitful. Can we get down to business and speak boldly for Christ despite the swing in cultural opinion? 

Not arrogant or hateful boldness like what is shown in the media, but truthful and loving, biblically-based words and actions. 

This post-Christian America and exile we live in, which is pushing us to the outskirts, will force us to intentionally choose Jesus, to grow, and trust Him.

We serve a God who will help us along this path. A God who casts out demons, heals the sick, and raises the dead. We don’t serve a culture of empty promises and discontented days. 

Christianity is not irrelevant. It is the most relevant and culturally changing news ever brought to the world, and it is never going away.

Let this be a reminder that being a Christian, and being exiled, is not going to be easy. But take heart, Jesus went through it when He was here on earth, and now He is here to help along the way.

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” – John 16:33

 **If this topic sparks your interest. Check out “Life in Exile“a series by Bridgetown: A Jesus Church for a more in-depth discussion on Post-Christian America and living in exile.