Competing Realities

John 8:33

Introduction

Do you think there is more division in our culture today than in generations gone by?

Some think that it is about the same but that sensationalized media overstates the case.

I see social media posts saying, “don’t believe what you see. ‘They’ are trying to get us to be against each other.”

Who is they? Who is us?

What if, we really are living in a more divided world?

In 2024, Aaron Renn published a book titled “Life in the Negative World.”

His central premise is that we have moved from an American culture that viewed Christians as a positive influence to one where Christians were viewed in a kind of neutral place, to finally, a view that they are a threat to society.

In addition to making this case, he also makes the case that many religious leaders don’t realize this and so they think that our differences are minor when really they are fundamental.

We don’t just have disagreements, we live in different realities.

That changes how you interact. It must.

Total Truth

The world has always viewed religion as a local claim (1 Kgs. 20:23; 2 Kgs. 17:26-28; cf. 1 Sam. 4:3-5).

But Christ makes claims that are universal in scope (Acts 17:30-31; Col. 1:16-17).

The claim of who Jesus is, is not local or an “in group” claim. It is a claim about reality.

The definitions of sin are not merely “in group” claims, they are claims about absolute right and wrong.

Paul proclaims these things as certain (Acts 17:24).

He does not offer “another perspective.”

He does not say, “it is my personal belief.”

He says “Since He is Lord of Heaven and Earth”

The gospel is not advice. It is an announcement.

Truth Collides

Jesus undermines political claims (Acts 17:7; 5:29; Rom. 1:3-4; Jn. 18:33-38; 19:10-11).

I have too often thought of Acts 17:7 as a misunderstanding. But they aren’t wrong. Paul did proclaim a King that did compete with Caesar’s claims about himself.

Jesus exposed Caesar and many other more local rulers for what they were — petty tyrants.

He showed what true power and true justice and true mercy looked like from the true King.

This is the same thing that happened in Babylon when Daniel and his friends came face to face with the claims of Nebuchadnezzar. They served a King that outranked and outshined Nebuchadnezzar and to his credit, he came to see the truth and yielded to that truth.

Jesus undermines social and civic life (Acts 19:26, 19; Eph. 5:22-6:9).

The message of Jesus struck to the heart of life in a city.

Everything economically, civically, socially revolved around the worship center and Paul comes in and simply says, that’s not real.

He calls on people to live counter to all norms (Eph. 5:22-6:9)

Conflict is inevitable (Lk. 12:49-53).

It is All Still True

We still live in conflict with political myths (Prov. 14:34).

The myth that the state is the answer.

The myth that right economic policies and right political leaders or even right forms of government are the answer.

We still live in conflict with social norms (1 Pet. 4:4).

Social norms of the “liberal” element of society.

Social norms of the “conservative” element of society.

One way or another, we are going to run counter to the way society often lives.

They will still receive truth as a threat and respond with hostility (Jn. 3:19-20; 1 Pet. 4:4).

The solution is not to “put our differences aside.” Or to “learn to disagree civilly.”

Obviously, we can disagree civilly and can put many differences aside.

But we can’t put truth aside so that we can “get along.”

There is a civil way but not a nice way to say that abortion is murder.

You cannot say “you will be judged and cast into everlasting darkness” in a way that will be received as mere disagreement.

So don’t be shocked, don’t be naive, and don’t stop speaking and living the truth.

Conclusion

Our job is not made easier by conflict but it is made clearer.

But we must be all the more careful. Our words are under constant scrutiny by a hostile world. So we can’t be sloppy or hypocritical in proclaiming the truth.

And if you are not following Christ tonight, then you are on the side of those who hate Christ. If you don’t want that designation, then call on the name of the Lord this evening and become a true follower of Him.