The bitter fruit of the Woke Left has begun to hit a little closer to home. A good friend of mine, and fellow pastor in the URC was doxxed and slandered yesterday by a former member of his church. The individual posted a private message that my friend had sent to him after the Charlottesville Riot in 2017. In his message, my friend had quoted from another article, suggesting that he shared some of the same concerns as the author.
The message was publicly shared as a quote from my friend without any reference to the date. The comments proceeded to mock my friends perceived racism. What I find most concerning of all is the fact that more and more Christians are learning their strategies for cultural engagement from wicked ideologies such as Critical Race Theory and evil organizations such as Black Lives Matter.
Corrections to slander and clarifications about the authority upon which we stand are desperately needed if any church is going to survive the Woke attacks. Unfortunately, as my friends situation reveals, those attacks are just as likely to come from within the visible Church as from the secular world.
Paul prays that the church would possess an orthopraxy that is grounded in orthodoxy. He prays that their love would be discerning, their values would be moral, and their fruit would be righteous.
However, remember who he is writing to. These Philippians have been generous in expressing their love and support of Paul. His prayer is not coming from a place of correction, but warning. The Church is always surrounded by antagonists. If we lack discernment, our compassion may in fact lead to further harm. Many Christians, led by confused pastors, are heading straight for a cliff.
Paul prays for the Philippians in this way because he knows the human tendency to behave in ways that are inconsistent with our beliefs. Even our best deeds are tainted by various impurities.
There are two ways to bear bitter fruit:
1. Your behavior is rooted in wicked worldviews.
2. Your behavior is inconsistent with your Christian worldview.
Paul shows us how to engage the culture in a way that honors God. Unfortunately, it follows a pattern that the culture characterizes as ineffective and insufficient. We can either bear fruit that honors an immutable God, or we can bear fruit that temporarily satisfies a fickle culture. Are we trying to please God or man?
Our primary goal is to glorify God through the faithful practice of our gospel mission.
Read https://ref.ly/logosref/Bible.Php1.9-11 (Philippians 1:9-11).
Abound in Discerning Love (9) Paul opened with a friendly greeting followed by an expression of his gratitude. The central verse in this opening passage (v.6) provides the statement of confidence that grounds his thanksgiving. Interestingly, Paul’s confidence does not lead to a relaxed approach to their ongoing growth. His hope is that his commendation would increase momentum in their conduct.
“Love” does not have an object. Therefore, it most likely refers to a comprehensive love for God and neighbor. As we seek to grow in love for God and neighbor we want it to be joined with knowledge and discernment. Chrysostom and Aquinas speak of an impulsive love that will not “stand the test of time” (Bockmuehl).
“Knowledge” is always found in reference to a spiritual understanding that comes from God (BDAG). Harmon notes that “Knowledge is not the enemy of love for God, but a necessary condition for its existence.” Calvin suggests that our love for God flows from a right understanding of him.
“Discernment” has to do with insight. Although this is its only occurence in the NT, it is frequently found in the LXX especially Proverbs. It refers to a practical wisdom that informs our actions.
Love, knowledge, and discernment are meant to develop alongside one another. Obviously, it is possible to grow in a love that is reckless (which is never a good thing contra Cory
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