Seeking to 'Trust in the Lord and Do Good' When Our World Embraces a Different World View

On Wednesday, September 7, as I was preparing in the St. John building for Wednesday night worship, one of our ladies present told me, “There probably won’t be many people here tonight. They’re all at the School Board Meeting.” I guess I had not been paying attention because I knew nothing about the meeting. But, from what I read in The Frontiersman, it was quite a meeting.

An article from the September 7 edition of our local newspaper, the Frontiersman, reported, “In front of a standing-room only board room, the Mat-Su School Board voted on Wednesday to revise a district guideline to suspend transgender use of communal bathrooms and locker rooms that match their identified gender. . . The original guideline, drafted in 2015, was in line with the United States Department of Education’s Title IX guidance. It allowed transgender students to use communal bathrooms and locker rooms that match their gender identity.”

As a Christian I was taught, and I have tried somewhat imperfectly to live, that sex and sexuality is meant for the marriage relationship between a man and a woman, (Genesis 2:24) and that this relationship is holy (Exodus 20:14, Matthew 5:27-28, Ephesians 5:22-33, Hebrews 13:4). I have taught this Scriptural truth as pastor to people and students in churches where I served. I’m not sure what to think when the government for which I pray makes laws which contradict the law of God. Of course, this is not the first time in history, nor in our country, that governmental laws and policies contradict God’s guidance. The laws of God are part of His created order, and are given to us to provide healthy lives in this world, and a healthy relationship with Him. It also surprises me that this overturned school board policy has been in effect since 2015!

Perhaps the Christian Church in America has been spoiled. For so long our culture shared Christian values based on God’s sovereignty and His will as shown in the 10 commandments. I even remember Elvis Presley reflecting such values when he sang, “Shall I stay? Would it be a sin?” Our world has changed!

This coming Sunday, September 18, is observed in liturgical churches as the Fifteenth Sunday After Pentecost. The assigned Epistle reading for this Sunday is 1Timothy 2:1-15. On Wednesday night, September 14 our sermon will meditate on the first 5 verses. “1 I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone — 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,”

Our Lord calls on us to pray for “all those in authority.” I do so pray daily. Our leaders in this world have an incredibly difficult task. They need God’s help. God’s will for our leaders is that they govern in such a way that the people of God are able to live in “godliness and holiness.” Also, God desires “ALL to be saved.” None are without sin. We all need the love and the forgiveness, and yes the guidance of our Savior, Christ Jesus.

On Sunday, September 11, I attended a presentation by Rev. Dr. Greg Seltz, former speaker of The Lutheran Hour and current Executive Director of The Lutheran Center for Religious Liberty, as he spoke on the challenges of our church in Today’s World. His first presentation was entitled “Christian Confidence When World Views Collide”. We discussed how Christians can live holy lives when the world around us may have ungodly values. Then he read from Psalm 37. Verses 1-5 of this Psalm which God inspired David to write reads this way. “1 Do not fret because of evil men or be envious of those who do wrong; 2 for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away. 3 Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. 4 Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. 5 Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this”

How does a Christian respond “When World Views Collide?” I will listen to God’s guidance from Psalm 37. I will “not fret.” I will seek to “Trust in the Lord and do good.” I will trust God’s wisdom, His forgiveness, His power and His love. I will “Commit my way to the Lord; trust in Him.” I will also continue to PRAY for all in authority. After all, Jesus is my Savior!