When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

Matthew 9 v36

It is perhaps easy to see the evil that is done today and to feel anger, or despair, and to desire to withdraw from the mess that our society is making of itself. To see a world taking increasing shape where what is good is regarded as evil, and vice versa. To see sickness celebrated as health, wounds venerated, brokenness encouraged and darkness worshiped.

Now, to react in that way is not entirely wrong, but I would say that anger is not our best response. As I’ve said before, we are not very good at righteous anger. Rather compassion is a more holy response. To see the crowds who, like in Jesus’ day, are really harassed and helpless, tossed here and there by the winds of prevailing fashion.

Can we not see those who, at the urging of society, have heaped the coals of illicit pleasure into their laps, knowing no better? Whose houses are now on fire, and are told to dance in the flames – burning themselves and setting on fire all that they touch. And are told to revel in the pain.

Can we not see those who have navigated the waters as they were told, only to find themselves in dangerous shoals, the wind and waves rising against them, beaten against the cliffs – abandoned, lost, alone and wondering – how did it come to this?

What then is the Church to do? Can we really ignore those who are wrecked by our societies perverse destruction? Can we not be the lighthouse we are called to be – shining out more brightly in a dark world? Do we care more about the approval of the spirit of the age, than we do about the spirit of God? Do we desire the place of honour at the world’s table, finding ourselves ashamed of our Saviour, and our faith? Do we want to remain in a safe bubble, mute, quiet, while all around us destruction rages? Do we want to bury our talents, in the hope that our lack of courage will be overlooked?

It. Will. Not. Happen. Do not mistake it. God will not countenance, or overlook. He is Compassion, and he will continue to raise those who have real compassion. Those who will stand firm, to both speak and act against the satanic madness infesting our decaying society. Those who will be willing to be wounded in battle in order to rescue some of the sheep who are lost.

If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. 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 v18-19

The truth is, the world will always hate us. That is a given. The question is, will we also hate the world? Or will we love that for which God gave His own life? At whatever cost to us?

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

John 3 v16