A Christian life in the modern age invites question, if not criticism and scorn. Jesus warned His disciples–in a culture founded upon the same Scriptures they also held as sacred– “As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.” (John 15:19, NIV) If their world, founded on the same morality and belief structures as they had, hated them, the modern believer should expect far greater disparity, even within our own families. We can prepare ourselves against the world, but how do we hold fast to God’s will when it is unpopular with those we hold dear?
A cultural example may come from the movie, Avengers: Infinity War. Toward the end, a defeated Dr. Strange offers the villain, Thanos, the Time Stone. A wounded Tony Stark implores Strange to keep the stone but cannot prevent the transaction. Thanos goes on to capture all the stones, vaporize half of the universe’s interstellar population, and the Avengers remain defeated for five years.
Yet, in this story, Strange had seen 14 Million possible future outcomes; his choice was the only chance they had. Tony did not–could not–know that Strange’s offering was simply a part of the plan to ultimately win the war. It was a long five years for Tony and the rest of the team.
Christians should also be guided by the ultimate, long-term vision for the kingdom of God. What does that mean? Saving more souls at any expense. Any. Jesus confirms that those who offer their livelihoods or lives for His sake will find their eternal home with Him (Matthew 16:25).
There are many biblical examples of difficult personal decisions made for the glory or honor of God. David’s continual refusal to kill a pursuing King Saul honors God’s plan above David’s own (1 Samuel 24). Nehemiah faced plots against his life when rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem (Nehemiah 6). John the Baptist speaks out against an inappropriate marriage between Herod and his brother’s wife, for which he is eventually beheaded (Matthew 14). The apostle Paul is stoned by a mob at a town called Lystra, “But after the disciples had gathered around him, he got up and went back into the city.” (Acts 14:20, NIV) The list goes on and on. To live a God-centered life invites personal risk.
As tribal creatures, we can stubbornly dig in our feet to oppose an enemy; however, sometimes, these decisions invite resistance from within our tribes–family, friends, church bodies, or more. This is a more complicated situation, as our communal standards feel at odds with our biblical ones. Yet, even these instances invite us to a deeper faith in God.
Making unpopular but biblical decisions shifts us from our communal identity into a position squarely under Christ’s authority. The Apostle Peter baptized Gentiles, yet had to defend it against other believers' concerns in Acts 11. Paul had to chastise Peter publicly for mistreating Gentiles in Galatians 2:11-13. Similarly, King David hoped to spare his rebellious son, Absalom, from death despite the rebuke from his military general, Joab (2 Samuel 19). Leading our family and community in God’s desire will undoubtedly invite concern, suspicion, or rebuke, just like it did for these stalwarts of the faith. Jesus confirms, “For I have come to turn ‘a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law—a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.’” (Matthew 10:35-36, NIV) There may be times that our walk with God goes against the grain of those we love.
It is also common that those closest to us may be so concerned for our well-being, that their fear for us trumps their faith. At the tail-end of Paul’s ministry, he made a circuit back through some of his closest church plants. Along the way, Paul’s friends begged him not to return to Jerusalem because they feared his imprisonment or death (Acts 21:12), yet, he persisted with his call from Acts 20:22. His friends’ love for him was great, but God’s is always greater.
Even Jesus’ journey faced resistance from within his circle. After Jesus spoke of His impending death, “Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!” Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.” (Matthew 16:22-23, NIV) If Jesus had to persist in the face of concerned loved ones, we should expect the same for ourselves.
Jesus alludes to such a dilemma when His mother and brothers became concerned with His ministry. He declares, “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple.” (Luke 14:26, NIV). Now, the word “hate” is not in the same context as our English understanding, but we are called to de-prioritize our tribe and ourselves for the will of God. Here, Jesus faces His own controversy and familiar condemnation but exalts God’s will above it all.
So, how can we successfully navigate these complicated waters? First, Christians should constantly be seeking God–more than their community–for strength. Psalm 121 famously starts, “I lift up my eyes to the mountains—where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” (Psalm 121:1-2, NIV) He is our rock, our fortress, our deliverer (Psalm 18:2). He will never leave us nor forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:8) so we can trust His will in all its unpopularity.
Can we charge forward in God’s will for us despite all other concerns or opposition? If we cannot withstand the concern of those who love us, can we endure the slander of a largerworld bent on tearing us down? Jesus warns, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:62, NIV) If we live for Jesus, we have to be all-in.
Like Dr. Strange’s foresight, God’s choice for us is our best and only hope, despite how it may look to others. We should not be flippant with our decisions, and we should test spirits regularly to ensure they are from God (1 John 4:1). Once confirmed, we must be ready to act in faith.
In Infinity War, Dr. Strange lost his life for five years so that others may–ultimately–live (including his future self). The Bible confirms there is no greater love than to lay down a life for a friend (John 15:13). Jesus is our friend who already gave His life for ours (John 3:16). Perhaps it’s our turn to give our lives for Him–no matter the risk, no matter the opinions, and no matter where either comes from.
