We are developing faster, smarter ways to mess up our lives. Thirty years ago, the Internet didn't exist and no one started off their testimony with the line, "Things were going well until I discovered Internet porn." Now though, if I had a nickel for every time I heard that I would easily be a Christian Thousandaire and wouldn't need to start my Stuff Christians Like scented candle line as a way to earn extra cake.
We can download, connect, and social network our lives into the pit in about 4 seconds. We don't even need a computer to do it, we can be in a meeting on our iPhones having side conversations that are going to wreck our marriages and our lives. And when a friend asked me about this trend, about whether I thought the world was getting worse or better, I was quick to say worse. "We live in a fallen world" I said, and we keep going deeper into levels of fallenness. (See that? Fallenness isn’t even a word and I just flaunted it as if it were. For shame fallen world.)
But if I'm honest, then I have to confess that sometimes I use that as an excuse to not work for positive change. I toss out "fallen world" like some sort of stamp when I don’t want to make the effort to care about a certain cause, or become emotionally involved in a difficult situation.
Crime rate up? We live in a fallen world, there's nothing you can do.
Hate your job? We live in a fallen world, there's nothing you can do.
Canada Geese refusing to migrate back because they like the sweet, tender grass of your lawn and prefer your predator free neighborhood instead of the northern tundra, crossing the road at in opportune times regardless of traffic rules, hissing at you when you refuse to feed them salty cracker treats, and constantly reminding you that they are the most entitled bird in the world?
We live in a fallen world, there's nothing we can do.
School systems crumbling? Recycling not working in your town? Healthcare problems?
We live in a fallen world, there's nothing you can do.
Hopefully, you're not like me. Hopefully you see that when God gave us His two greatest commands, love Him and love others as much as we love ourselves, He didn't say, unless you live in a fallen world. There was no caveat that gave us the freedom to give less than love if the world we're living in is less than perfect. If anything, a fallen world is a world that needs love the most.
The depths we sink to as a society force us to give even deeper love.
The darker things get, the stronger the need is for brightness.
That we live in a fallen world is not an excuse to give up or not try, it's a motivation to try even harder. God placed us here, in this time period, because the world needs love like never before. My love, your love, our love. That we live in a fallen world shouldn't prevent us from living out of God's love. If anything, it should prove the need for us to be doing that.
And even though that last paragraph felt a little "benefit concerty," I think it's true, fallen world or not.
Again Jon you say it so simply and we all know this but you just bring it back to life for me. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteA book you might like is Surprised by Hope by NT Wright. It explores some of these issues about what our hope as Christians is and whether we should be working to make this world a better place.
those darn geese! sorry probably should not use that word her, but its a fallen world you know. smiles.
ReplyDeletegreat post jon. there seem to be as many excuses as there are temptations and they are just as easy to fall into. thanks for gracefully waking us up this morning.
I'm not sure if I agree that the world is worse than it's ever been. In my opinion it's always been pretty crap. It's not like it suddenly fell, around about 1978. But like you say, no excuses.
ReplyDeleteHmm, Canada Geese, eh? I'm sure that's nothing personal coming through :)
Apart from the "fallen world" excuse for letting bad things continue, there's also the "fallING world" one. By this I mean the expectation that the state of the world will get worse as we approach end times; that things have to get worse before Jesus will return; that all this is imminent. Whatever your theological stance on those issues, it can result in a "bring it on" attitude towards disaster and gloom, which saddens me. I still have hope that things can change for the better in THIS life and on THIS Earth!
ReplyDeleteA guy I work with just asked me the other day, "So, when do you think Christ is coming back? I sure hope it's soon, this world is falling apart."
ReplyDeleteI said, "I really don't care when He comes back. It will be awesome for sure, but God has given us the power (and command) to change things today. So maybe let's focus on that instead."
"The darker things get, the stronger the need is for brightness."
This is a great quote!
wingnut
I think the reason why we say, "This is a fallen world," is based off another one liner we say and it's this:
ReplyDelete"Well I'm only human" or "I still sin, I'm only human." This kind of thinking is an excuse. God made humans perfect, it's not human to sin, it's INhuman.
And you're right, all the things said in this post are our justifications of not trying. We just focus too much on how things aren't working rather than how to make them work. I wouldn't want anybody like that working for me.
The sluggard says, "There is a lion in the road, a fierce lion roaming the streets!" ~ Proverbs 26:13
You know, I was going to type out a little comment, something along the lines of, well, yeah, I use that line, but only when...oh...wait. So maybe I'll just go read the post again and keep my mouth shut.
ReplyDeleteI don't think that saying and knowing that "we live in a fallen world" is necessarily an excuse to do nothing. Of COURSE we are not to do nothing---we are to follow Christ's example! It's just that while we, as Christians, can follow God's commandments and do "our part" to "make the world a better place" (now who sounds benefit concert-y?), ultimately, we are not of the world, and the world should not be our primary focus. Colossians 3:2 says, "Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things." God is bigger than the world, and He has it all under control, as messed-up as it is.
ReplyDeleteBut again, I know that is not an excuse to do nothing. If I didn't think anyone could make a difference, I wouldn't be going on a mission trip, I wouldn't recycle, blog about politics, or make donations to non-profits and food pantries. But knowing that "we live in a fallen world" is just a good reminder that 1) God has it under control, 2) This fallen world is not our home, 3) Do your best, but don't hate yourself if something goes wrong, and 4) The world's fallen state is an opportunity to witness the Lord's grace and mercy. Plus, there is so much more than what we think of as "the world." Ephesians 6:12 says, " For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." God is supreme! His battle is already won!
Having been a student of history and reading about human behavior for the past thousands of years, I also have to disagree that the world is getting "worse." Sure, we now have the technology to do stupid, corrupt things faster, but Ecclesiastes 1:9 says, "What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun." A quick look into the bowels of history will show you that humans have been committing horrid, unspeakable acts against each other for centuries (and just check out Judges 19). The world has ALWAYS needed Christ and the love of God. As long as it exists, it ALWAYS will.
Our job is to speak the Word of God to all, and to follow it, wherever and WHENever we are.
That'll preach.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great post Jon. It seems there is something very difficult about looking in the mirror and really discovering who we are. Because if we really look at ourselves in the mirror we discover that behind our eyes is a disaster.
ReplyDeleteI think often times Christians don't want to confront the "fallen world" because they know that means taking a hard look at themselves. It's the "remove the log from your own eye" idea. Who wants to look at themselves first and work on their own log? That is too much effort and we are sometimes afraid of what we will find.
So it's easier to invent cute little catch phrases and just watch the world fall more, while we sit up high in our lofty, churchy positions and proclaim, "It's really too bad they don't know what I know." As if that makes us better than them.
Thanks for the post.
I don't believe for a second that the world is any worse than it's ever been. There truly is nothing new under the sun, and everything that has been done will be done again. I do believe we are better-informed about all the badness. If I had lived 100 years ago, would I know that a politician in SC was having an affair? I'd have no idea, it's 500 miles away. But people were certainly having affairs 100 years ago! We just know more of each other's business now. So yeah, there's greater access to badness - but the flip side is that there's also the possibility for much greater accountability.
ReplyDeleteLove it. Beautifully said!
ReplyDeleteOh man, I have a picture I need to send you Jon, but I'll have to wait until I get home from work. You'll love it!
ReplyDeleteWhen you are a kid, the world isn't such a bad place. The older you get, the more you learn, the more sin you are exposed to (your own and others) and the world does become a "worse" place and it becomes more and more difficult not to be cynical. I don't think the world is worse or more corrupt than ever, but I do think that the natural tendency of sin is to corrupt and corrode. I think it is a constant battle to look for hope and trust that God is bigger than the "lostness" we see around us. Making excuses is easier than laying down your life for the least of these.
ReplyDeleteGreat post, Jon, thanks! I am starting to read NT Wrights book. And I also liked what culturalawakening had to add.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, how much for the candles?
I know...those excuses will get us every time.
ReplyDelete"Christian Thousandaire" had me laughing right out.
don't like it when the drunken mail man leaves his vomit in your mail box instead of your pay check that you've been waiting for... we live in a fallen world.
ReplyDeletegreat post! Sure we can electronically surf our way into the pit in a millesecond.... but we can also spread the good news of Jesus Christ in an equally quick way. My family is in the midst of a spiritual battle like we've never seen before. Yes we live in a broken world but I've seen the mighty hand of God in our suffering in a way I don't think possible without... when in the painful grasp of suffering I don't think anyone REALLY wants to "count it all joy" but the truth is as you endure.... you should, and you do.
ReplyDeleteI found your blog over at Hey Look a chicken. So far I've linked around to some really awesome Christian blogs while on this journey of pain and suffering. I'm grateful for the wisdom and totally appreciate the smart aleckyness (new word) since I live with a few
In Him,
Tina
Amen. And geese are MEAN.
ReplyDeleteI just made that comment about fighting something that seemed to big to fight yesterday. Now I know that I need to put forth some effort and get involved. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteWell said. I hate it when Christians get on the doom and gloom bandwagon. This world needs hope. And what better people to give the world hope than people who have placed their hope in Jesus Christ?
ReplyDeletewv-farta. I'll just let that one speak for itself.
"Stuff Christians Like scented candle line as a way to earn extra cake."...We live in a fallen world!
ReplyDeleteI would at least offer a free one with each book purchase!
What would they smell like?
I'd love to hear your thoughts.
@ Wingnut
ReplyDeleteI just love what you said
"but God has given us the power (and command) to change things today. So maybe let's focus on that instead."
Well-said and thought-provoking, as usual.
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm with Sherri-
With the candles, what is the Stuff Christians Like to SMELL?
WV: chins
Yeah, for real.
Shut up, word verification.
Isn't there some poem about a guy tossing starfish back into the ocean that's relevant here? Read that.
ReplyDeletePerhaps if people would discontinue meddling in the affairs of others and concentrating on making themselves better people the world be far better off. Cheers!!
ReplyDeleteGreat post, Jon. Amen and Amen!
ReplyDeleteSo so true. I am quick to judge social networking as well. I see all the negative effects it so easily can have on people. On me inparticular.
ReplyDeleteAlso, it's so easy to fall into the "fallen world" trap when you move to a new area. It's easy to hole up and take cover in a fetal position rather than going out and "be bright" as this world gets darker and darker.
You are dead on.
@song
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with you that the world isn't any worse than it has been in the past. Doom and gloom people (Christians and non-Christians alike) have always liked to think that the time they're living in is the worst.
There's nothing wrong with iPhones or the Internet, or any of this new technology. They are wonderful inventions that could be used to further ourselves and society. It think the problem is that we humans (or in-humans, as Nicodemus at Nite very wisely pointed out) have this bad habit of corrupting everything good that comes our way. I say this not as someone pointing a finger at a fallen world, but as an active participant who knows what he's talking about from experience.
Yeah, i'm guilty of this one. One can feel so small & helpless in an imperfect world. Apathy + helplessness become the easy way out. :(
ReplyDeletegreat post. Thanks John.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it so easy to accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior as long as we leave the emphasis on Savior? It's the Lord part where things get dicey. In a fallen world.
ReplyDeleteNot much time to comment 'cause I'm at work (I can't help it. We live in a fallen world.). I know EXACTLY the type of apathetic attitude you're talking about. Giving you a cyber-Hi-5!
ReplyDeleteHoly crap. I said that yesterday. Crap.
ReplyDeleteI'm all for "benefit concert-y" stuff.
ReplyDelete"The darker things get, the stronger the need is for brightness."
ReplyDeleteAmen.
And the great thing about living in a dark world is, you don't have to be a really bright bulb to make a difference.
If you read about the daily life of the Romans at the time of Christ and when Paul was in prison, you will see that some things never change. Sexual freedom, selfishness, consumerism (they ate bird tongues for heaven's sake--how many of those does it take to fill up a serving dish?)Just like today!
ReplyDeleteThis phrase should be short-handed:
ReplyDeleteHey man, WLIAFW. WLIAFW. What are ya gonna do?
St. Francis of Assisi said: 'Preach the Gospel, and if necessary, use words.'
ReplyDeleteTo me the necessity of doing my pasrt is not a problem, its where to start. We tithe to the causes nearest our hearts but there are so many other needs, so many people, so many children...Choosing is heartbreaking, prayer is all we have to offer in so many situations.
Aw man...I got a little convicted just by reading the title of this post! Wow!
ReplyDeleteExcellent job, as always.
I'm digging the benefit concert-y stuff myself.....
ReplyDeleteOh serious Wednesdays... the truth hurts, but I keep coming back for more "ouches".
ReplyDeleteWhy did you have to mention jobs?
I was happy complaining about mine, without feeling the need to do something to improve it.
Maybe not reading blogs when I should be working should be step 1.
There's more than enough time for SCL-flavoured sarcasm when I get home...
Great post.
ReplyDeleteditto on the NT Wright recommendation. Suprised by Hope has great reflections on this and other related topics.
Jesus taught his disciples to pray 'your Kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven'. We know that that prayer wont be fully answered until he returns (May 2011 wasn't it - did anybody get their cheque?) but in the meantime, we're called to partner with the King as ambassadors of his Kingdom. We're supposed to be part of the answer to that prayer, not throw our hands up in despair and form little 'faithful remnant ghettos' where we can grow increasingly self righteous and judgmental (yes, I'm aware of the irony of my self righteous rant - how do we dodge that one?), or celebrate that the world is going to hell in a handbasket because it will make Jesus come back quicker -where does that kind of twisted nonsense come from?
You know you've been busted when a co-worker asks, "Have your read SCL today?"
ReplyDeleteI'm known for using the "fallen world" response but only tongue-in-cheek as in, "They forgot to put lettuce on my hamburger!" I respond, "That's a shame, but ya know, we live in a fallen world."
You had me from the title....
ReplyDeleteTrue story.
ReplyDeleteFallen, schmallen. It's our mission field and the missionaries are getting too Americanized. McChurching when we should be re-churching. We're the ones changing, not the world.
ReplyDeleteMay I humbly suggest old hymnals scent for your scented candle line...Your part in making this fallen world a better place..
ReplyDeleteReading history is a great antidote to thinking things are getting worse. Some facets change, but not much of human behavior, especially the tendency to think that "things ain't what they used to be".
ReplyDeleteJon, I'd like to read your thoughts on the phrase 'we are all broken'. Is that a related thought or something entirely different? Because I find myself using it, not excuse sin, but to explain it. Is this potentially faulty?
ReplyDeleteWV: hopyle
what you do once the leaves are raked
This post made me think of Fiction Family's song Closer Than You Think. I have to admit that hearing people say stuff like oh well, I can't do anything, it's a fallen world TOPS my list of pet peeves.
ReplyDeleteyou slayed me with the geese.
ReplyDelete