No Matter the Cost: How Should Christians Respond to a Sin-filled Society?

Society has a way of telling us to shut up when our opinions don’t match the popular agenda. Our Christian beliefs often put us at odds with society. Sometimes, standing for what we believe comes with a cost. 

It’s well known that people have gotten into trouble because of standing for their Christian beliefs. They’ve lost their careers, businesses, even been jailed. That’s just in America. I don’t know what all happens in the rest of the world, but I know Christians are sometimes killed in other countries. 

On a less serious note, there are other things to lose. Social standing, popularity, and friends, to name a few. Then, of course, if you work in the media, you could always be “canceled.”

How are we supposed to respond to this? We’re supposed to stand up for Christ. Jesus said, “If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels” (Mark 8:38, NIV). 

We can’t hide the fact that we’re Christians. We can’t pretend we’re okay with the sinful ways of society. To do so… well, Christ said it. He’ll be ashamed of us if we’re ashamed of him. So what do we do? Can we turn a blind eye? 

No. To act as if nothing is happening is wrong. How are we supposed to turn the world to Jesus if we ignore sin? No, we are not the ones who convict people of sin. That’s the Lord’s job. But we are supposed to let our light shine. (Matthew 5:16) How are we shining for God if we turn a blind eye and act as if nothing needs to change? Besides, if we’re true believers, this won’t work forever. “A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.” (Matthew 5:14) 

In the Great Commission, Jesus says, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:20). Obviously, turning a blind eye is not teaching people. 

So, we can’t be quiet or turn a blind eye? What else is there? Can’t we just let everyone be who they are and roll with it? This is a dangerous mindset for Christians, but, sadly, it’s the path many trod. People want to claim to be Christian but disregard Christ’s teachings. The “if it feels good, do it” and “acceptance” mindsets have invaded the church. Many, claiming to be Christ's followers, have watered down the Lord’s word, teaching that it’s okay to do whatever we want. Those people are nothing more than messengers of Satan. 

The Bible says, “Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.” (Ephesians 5:11) If we are supporting what God clearly says is wrong, we are not exposing darkness, but are becoming a part of it. When God says something is wrong, but we say it’s okay, we are calling God a liar. 

So, what’s left? We can’t be quiet, turn a blind eye, or go along with it. The only other option is to do as the scripture says and “expose” the darkness. 

Let’s go back to the Great Commission again. Jesus not only told us to make disciples but also to teach them his commands. We can’t do one without the other. The lost are going to sin. Telling them that what they’re doing is wrong isn’t likely to have a great effect. Think about when you were lost. Did you listen when Christians said your lifestyle was wrong? Most people, when they’re in deep, don’t want to change. This isn’t saying they can’t or that we shouldn’t tell them the truth. What I’m saying is that telling people that everything they do is wrong is not the way to convert people. We need to show them the love of Christ first. 

The Word tells us to “always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15). 

Gentleness and respect. Not browbeating. 

Again, it’s the Lord’s job to convict. All we can do is tell people the truth in a loving way that shows God’s goodness. 

And the church should most definitely teach believers God’s way. That’s part of the Great Commission. 

But wait. What about the dangers we spoke of earlier? What about how standing for and living our faith can cost us? 

What about it? It’s always been that way. Look at the Bible. Look at history. Time and again, Christians have been persecuted. Jesus said, “Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also” (John 15:20). 

Look at Jesus. Just like in everything, Christ has set us an example of what to do when we stand to lose everything for the truth. 

Look at John 6. I can’t quote the entire chapter, but here’s the context. Jesus fed five thousand people from five small loaves of bread and two small fish. After this, his disciples picked up twelve baskets of leftovers. After this amazing miracle, the people wanted to make Jesus king by force. But Jesus went off by himself. 

Jesus rejected the easy path to the “top.” He stood to gain worldly acceptance and power. But it was not God’s plan. If Jesus had given into the people and let them put him on the throne, there would never have been a cross and empty tomb. Jesus stuck to God’s plan instead of caving to the temporary riches and popularity of this world. 

Moving on in the chapter, we see Jesus explaining to the crowd why he was here, that he is the “bread of life” (v. 48) and that “whoever feeds on this bread will live forever” (v. 58). 

But the crowd? They turned away. Literally. 

“From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.” (v. 66) 

Jesus knows what it’s like to lose something for the sake of God. At the height of his popularity, he stood for what was true and right, and lost many of his followers. He understands the pressure we’re under, because he’s been here. 

But Jesus knew it was more important to honor God than to have the glory of man. 

Let’s follow his example. Remember, everything here is temporary. Status, popularity, money, people—it’s all going to be forgotten some day. All that’s going to matter in eternity is if we’re right with God. 

So what have we got to lose? If we stand for our faith and the truth, risk losing something or everything, we’ll be standing in the same place countless other believers have stood over the centuries and even where Christ himself stood. But what we can’t lose is even greater than what we can. 

When we stand for Christ, we might lose popularity or a job or a friend. But we won’t lose the only thing that can get us into heaven—our salvation. God’s grace. His love. Those are things the world can never take away. 

But if we turn back and hide the truth, we risk Christ being ashamed of us. We’ll be turning our backs on God. And how many souls will be lost if we never have the courage to speak the truth in love? 

It’s time for the church to be the church. It’s time for believers to value God above worldly possessions and prestige. We need to show the world who the Lord is. 

And we don’t do that by being quiet. 

It’s time to be the light. 

“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?” (Mark 8:34-36)