Christians should not be shocked when a fallen world behaves like a fallen world. Scripture has already told us what sin does when men suppress the truth, exchange the glory of God for created things, and follow the desires of hearts that are alienated from Him (Romans 1:18–25). What we see around us may grieve us deeply, but it should never make us think God failed to warn us. Jesus prepared His disciples for this. “If the world hates you, you know that it has hated Me before it hated you” (John 15:18). He never promised that history would steadily become more friendly toward holiness, biblical truth, or the lordship of Christ. Paul likewise warned that “in the last days difficult times will come” and then described people as lovers of self, money, pleasure, and everything that feeds human pride (2 Timothy 3:1–5). The real surprise should be how easily Christians forget what Scripture says about the human heart. We sometimes expect unbelieving culture to think like regenerated people, honour what God honours, and hate what God hates. Yet Paul says that the natural man “does not accept the things of the Spirit of God” because they are foolishness to him (1 Corinthians 2:14). Sin does not need better public relations. It needs the power of the gospel. None of this gives us permission to become cynical, detached, or indifferent. Jesus looked upon lost people with compassion. Paul wept over those who were enemies of the cross (Philippians 3:18). We should grieve evil, defend truth, love our neighbors, expose darkness where Scripture requires it, and preach Christ faithfully. But we should do all of that with clear eyes about what Scripture says the world actually is. The church gets into trouble when she becomes desperate for the world’s approval. Once we expect unbelieving culture to celebrate biblical Christianity, we will eventually feel pressure to soften whatever offends it. John reminds us, “The whole world lies in the power of the evil one” (1 John 5:19). That should make us sober, discerning, and far less surprised when obedience to Christ puts us out of step with the age. Our hope has never rested in the world becoming safe for Christianity. Our hope is Christ, who has already overcome the world (John 16:33). Until He returns, we should expect darkness to behave like darkness while continuing to shine the light of the gospel without fear, bitterness, or compromise. The condition of the world should drive us toward greater faithfulness, deeper prayer, and greater urgency to make Christ known.

I would lose my salvation daily if it depended on my good works, a sinless life, water baptism, or anything other than the Blood of Christ Jesus. Thank God for the Seal that cannot be undone in this age of grace.