Whether it’s on social media, the radio, or on TV, events like police officers being shot, Black Lives Matter, and terrorist attacks seemingly dominate our daily news. Every person is created by God in His image and likeness and worthy of dignity and respect. As Christians, we believe this firmly, because it is at the heart of what it means to have a biblical worldview.

Overrealized Eschatology and the Consequences of Political Activism

At the heart of much of the response to the current world, affairs are what theologians call an over-realized eschatology. This heavy theological term essentially means that we focus too much on what may or may not happen in the future. For all, we know something could fall from the sky in the next nanosecond and eliminate our world. Perhaps even some rogue country with nuclear weapons could deploy all of their nuke’s thus plausibly beginning the unloading of the world’s nuclear supply onto each other. The truth is we don’t know, and since we don’t know what’s going to happen even one second from now, what can we possibly do right now about the chaos of our world?

For many people the answer to that question is political activism. These people suggest that we should take advantage of every tragedy and use it as a vehicle to bring about change in our culture. Instead of allowing for a period of mourning, political activists tell people to not waste these opportunities. Whenever tragedy strikes the opposing viewpoint is attacked, ridiculed, and shamed, until at last people believe that those with a differing viewpoint than themselves are not only wrong but should be shouted down and silenced.

Respect is not something that we as human beings do very well. We often associate “respect” with the idea of someone doing something that merits respect. As Christians, we believe, following the Scriptures that all men and women are created and sustained by God. Every single person regardless of skin color is valuable and worthy of dignity, and respect. Respect is something you and I should show to every single person since they are an image bearer.

Kingdom Work and the Imminent Return of Christ

While we live in between the times of the imminent return of Christ, we have work to do. We have people to minister to, and disciples to make. We also have work to do in our own local churches. In addition, we have indwelling sin. If this isn’t enough, we have neighbors who need to hear the Gospel and see us living on mission to the glory of God. Lastly, this is why we must proclaim the good news that in the midst of the chaos of our day, King Jesus is soon returning.

Everyone is a sinner by nature and by choice, which means there are none that can escape the wrath and judgment of God apart from the saving work of Jesus Christ. God sees the heart of man, and knows what we are capable of. All lives matter because God created man in His image and likeness. Jesus came as the sinless substitute and died in the place of sinners for their sin and rose from the dead to gives us new life.

Let’s you and I love one another as Jesus has instructed (John 13:35). While we’re at it let’s pray for our political and church leaders. Let’s also commit to speaking out on social issues because of the grace of God. Now in all that we do, say, and think, may you and I be thankful to God for His grace and shine the light of Christ brightly as we daily endeavor to live in a matter worthy of Christ.