The church was not born in a world or nation that propped it up, nor even thought that it should. Look at Corinth. They initiated no culture wars; it would not have even crossed their minds. The early church discipled disciples into living radically transforming faith in a world that did not like or want them. The greatest need of discipleship now is to Christianize Christianity and turn it back to reproducing the character of Christ in every believer’s life. Only then will we be free from Constantine’s agenda. Only then will we be salt and light to the nations.
“But now I come to You; and these things I speak in the world so that they may have My joy made full in themselves. I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. I do not ask You to take them out of the world, but to keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world….Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth. As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. For their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they themselves also may be sanctified in truth. I do not ask on behalf of these alone, but for those also who believe in Me through their word; that they may all be one; even as You, Father, are in Me and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me…O righteous Father, although the world has not known You, yet I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me; and I have made Your name known to them, and will make it known, so that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them.” John 17:13-21, 25-26 (NASB)
