Francis Schaeffer: (Part VI): How Then to Live?--- As a Faithful Christian Witness in a Culture of Confusion, Anxiety, and Moral Uncertainty

Journey of hope towards truth

Throughout this series we have followed Francis Schaeffer's analysis of Western culture. He warned that when a civilization abandons the God who created it, the consequences extend far beyond theology.

Truth becomes relative. Morality becomes negotiable. Human beings lose both their dignity and their purpose. Society fragments because it no longer shares a common foundation.

More than fifty years ago Schaeffer described these developments with remarkable clarity. Today we see them everywhere.

Yet Schaeffer was never merely a cultural critic. His purpose was never to leave Christians discouraged or nostalgic for a better age. He believed that every generation of believers faces its own challenges, and every generation is called to bear faithful witness to Jesus Christ.

The question, then, is not simply, "How did we get here?"

The more important question is:

How should Christians live here?

Begin with God's Truth

The first responsibility of every Christian is to remain firmly anchored in God's revealed truth.

Our culture tells us that truth is personal.

Scripture declares that truth is revealed.

Our culture encourages us to construct our own identities.

Scripture teaches that we were created in the image of God.

Our culture changes its moral standards with every generation.

God does not.

"Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth." (John 17:17)

Schaeffer often reminded believers that Christianity is not a leap into the dark. It is grounded in reality because it is grounded in the God who is truly there.

The Church does not invent truth.

The Church receives it.

Live with Conviction and Compassion

Schaeffer rejected two equal and opposite errors.

One is compromise.

The other is hostility.

Christians are never called to surrender biblical truth simply because it has become unpopular.

Neither are we called to become angry cultural warriors whose harshness obscures the gospel.

Jesus demonstrated both perfect holiness and perfect compassion.

He never excused sin.

He never stopped loving sinners.

Our generation desperately needs Christians who possess both courage and kindness.

"But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ." (Ephesians 4:15)

Truth without love becomes harsh.

Love without truth becomes empty.

The gospel holds them together.

Remember That Every Person Bears God's Image

One of Schaeffer's greatest concerns was the growing loss of human dignity.

When people believe they are merely accidents of nature, life inevitably becomes cheap.

But Scripture teaches something entirely different.

Every human being possesses immeasurable worth because every human being bears the image of God.

This changes how Christians view every person they meet.

• The unborn child.

• The elderly.

• The disabled.

• The lonely.

• The refugee.

• The wealthy executive.

• The homeless man.

• The political opponent.

• The difficult neighbor.

Every one of them has value because God made them.

Christian witness begins with seeing people as God sees them.

Build Christian Homes

Culture is rarely transformed from the top down.

It is renewed from the inside out.

Long before governments shape a nation, families shape the next generation.

Parents and grandparents therefore possess an influence greater than they often realize.

Children need more than entertainment.

• They need truth.

• They need examples.

• They need fathers and mothers whose faith is genuine.

• They y need fathers and mothers whose faith is genuine.

• They need homes where Scripture is read, prayer is offered, forgiveness is practiced, and Christ is honored.

The strongest Christian witness often begins around the family table.

Love the Church

Schaeffer believed deeply in the local church.

Not because churches are perfect.

They are not.

But because Christ loves His Church.

In an increasingly isolated world, believers need one another more than ever.

• We need worship.

• We need fellowship.

• We need correction.

• We need encouragement.

• We need to bear one another's burdens.

The local church is God's chosen community for discipleship and faithful witness.

It is not optional.

Engage the Culture Without Being Captured by It

Christians are not called to withdraw from the world.

Neither are they called to imitate it.

Jesus described His followers as being in the world but not of it.

That means Christians should pursue excellence wherever God has placed them.

• Teachers should teach well.

• Artists should create beautiful work.

• Business leaders should conduct themselves honestly.

• Scientists should pursue truth.

• Students should study diligently.

• Neighbors should love their communities.

• Every vocation can become an opportunity to glorify Christ.

• Faithfulness is not measured only from pulpits.

• It is demonstrated in everyday obedience.

Live Without Fear

One reason our culture feels so anxious is that it has lost any lasting hope.

• If there is no God, history has no purpose.

• If there is no eternity, suffering has no meaning.

• If death is the end, despair eventually triumphs.

But Christians know another story.

Christ reigns.

History belongs to Him.

The resurrection has already secured the final victory.

Our hope rests not in politics, economics, technology, or cultural renewal.

Our hope rests in Jesus Christ.

"These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overco."me the world." (John 16:33)

This confidence enables Christians to face uncertain times without panic.

Never Forget the Gospel

Francis Schaeffer often addressed philosophy, history, literature, politics, and culture.

Yet all of those conversations ultimately pointed toward one thing:

The gospel.

Human beings are not merely intellectually confused.

They are spiritually lost.

Our greatest need is not better politics.

It is reconciliation with God through Jesus Christ.

The cross answers humanity's deepest problem.

We are not alienated from God because we lack information. We are alienated because of sin. No amount of education, prosperity, political reform, or technological progress can bridge that gulf. God Himself has provided the only remedy through the death and resurrection of His Son.

"For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God." (1 Peter 3:18)

Schaeffer never allowed cultural analysis to replace gospel proclamation. He believed Christians should think carefully about the world around them, but only so they might speak more faithfully about Christ. Every discussion of ideas was ultimately an opportunity to point men and women to the Savior.

This is an important reminder for us today. We can become fascinated with diagnosing the problems of our culture while forgetting to proclaim the only cure.

The church is not merely called to explain why society is broken; she is called to announce the good news that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners.

The gospel is not simply the beginning of the Christian life—it remains its center. Every generation must hear again that salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone.

The cross is God's answer to humanity's rebellion, and the empty tomb is His declaration that Christ has conquered sin and death.

If we would follow Schaeffer well, we must never stop where he never stopped. Every analysis of culture, every defense of truth, and every exposure of error must finally lead us to Jesus Christ. Truth is not an end in itself; it leads us to the One who said,

"I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." (John 14:6)

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Dear Lord Jesus, You are altogether lovely. Thank You for bringing me into this world and walking with me through it. Keep me true and help me love others as You have loved me. Keep me in the midst of evil and shine through me, I pray Strengthen and restore me. Qicken me and fill my life with Yours, for Your Name's sake. Amen

Please pray with and for me readers and let me know how I can pray for you in the Comments section below. God bless you today! Ken

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JESUS SHALL REIGN

Jesus shall reign where’er the sun

Does his successive journeys run;

His kingdom stretch from shore to shore,

Till moons shall wax and wane no more.

To Him shall endless prayer be made,

And praises throng to crown His head;

His Name like sweet perfume shall rise

With every morning sacrifice.

People and realms of every tongue

Dwell on His love with sweetest song;

And infant voices shall proclaim

Their early blessings on His Name.

Blessings abound wherever He reigns;

The prisoner leaps to lose his chains;

The weary find eternal rest,

And all the sons of want are blessed.

Where He displays His healing power,

Death and the curse are known no more:

In Him the tribes of Adam boast

More blessings than their father lost.

Let every creature rise and bring

Peculiar honors to our King;

Angels descend with songs again,

And earth repeat the loud amen!

The scepter well becomes His hands;

All Heav’n submits to His commands;

His justice shall avenge the poor,

And pride and rage prevail no more.

The saints shall flourish in His days,

Dressed in the robes of joy and praise;

Peace, like a river, from His throne

Shall flow to nations yet unknown.

Isaac Watts, The Psalms of Da¬vid, 1719.

The kingdoms of this world are

the kingdoms of our Lord, and of

his Christ; and he shall reign for

ever and ever. Revelation 11:15

Hallelujah! Hallelujah! HALLELUJAH!