“Now when the Lamb opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been violently killed because of the word of God and because of the testimony they had given. They cried out with a loud voice, “How long, Sovereign Master, holy and true, before you judge those who live on the earth and avenge our blood?”” Revelation 6:9-10 NET https://bible.com/bible/107/rev.6.9-10.NET
Why is there conflict in the world between the church and everyone else? While the only conflict in the world is not between the church and everyone, there is certainly conflict in America between the church and the culture. What is the conflict? It is the proclamation of values and the intolerance of some who reject those values to hear those they reject. Why should the church even espouse its values? Why not let the world run amok? Indeed, many Christians are doing this very thing. God has commissioned His church to testify to Who He is and what He requires of humanity. The church is the light of the world. It is to reveal the One True God to humanity so that all of humanity can repent and turn from their wicked ways to receive a pardon for sin and welcome into God’s eternal kingdom. Since all people are born separated from God and display this separation through their rebellious behavior toward God, the church is responsible before God to teach everyone obedience to everything Jesus has commanded. This proclamation of God’s ways and insistence upon entering His narrow road to receive pardon for sin and the promise of eternal life with God is offensive to most, creating anger, hate, and resentment toward the faithful of God who testify to His person in Jesus and His word recorded in the Scriptures. Not everyone who calls themselves Christian is faithful to God to help others become Christians. They avoid conflict with men, but a confrontation with God awaits them, for he who is ashamed of God on earth will find God ashamed of them upon His meeting them in heaven. Christians are to live obedient lives before God, letting their good deeds draw people to the message. These same Christians are to share that Jesus is the only way, truth, and life to enter the kingdom of God.
