Jesus is Lord of the world and all it contains, so following Him involves all of life, both private and public.
Many Christians are well-acquainted with the private dimensions of faith—our personal connection with Christ, the changes He works inside us, the relationships we enjoy with fellow believers when we gather for worship, study, and support—but as Christians living in the modern world, it is imperative that we recover the often forgotten public dimensions of the gospel. As the “people of God” (1 Pet. 2:9, 10) we are called to visibly live out our faith in order to make a difference in our world. That purpose can only be accomplished when we follow Jesus in every arena of our society and culture.
Our Global Village
In order to understand how to apply this truth in practical ways, it helps to consider three major components of our global village:
1. Workplaces—businesses, government, and public services. These three main sectors encompass thousands of occupations and are represented by the three buildings in the public square in the diagram on p. xix.
2. Communities—families, churches, and neighborhoods. These more general and, in many ways, less formal arenas create networks of relationships that can be either constructive or destructive. In the accompanying diagram, communities are represented by the houses and churches surrounding the public square.
3. Systems—policies, laws, values, beliefs, and traditions. These conceptual undergirdings of society are often subtle, quietly yet powerfully influencing our workplaces and communities. These systems form the foundation of society, represented by the columns in the accompanying diagram. Some pillars endure, while others crumble and need to be repaired and fortified. Still others may need to be demolished and replaced in reaction to a society’s changing needs.
Behind it all is our sovereign God, who sustains His creation. When we recognize His presence and purposes, we are empowered to live out our faith in both public and private ways, moving back and forth between seeking solitude for individual enrichment, gathering together for worship, and scattering for engagement with the world.
How Faith Impacts the World
Christ’s message impacts our world when His followers act in tangible, observable ways that demonstrate His love and values to others. God works through …
1. Followers of Christ. People with an active faith proclaim the gospel to the world through …
• Compassionately sharing Christ through words and deeds in social interactions and relationships.
• Wisely and generously managing responsibilities, possessions, and resources.
• Reliably participating in social structures such as local community.
• Patiently and humbly building leadership skills to influence others.
2. Christian institutions. In many cultures, Christians have the privilege of influencing or directing organizations that present the gospel and its implications to their society. These include …
• Local churches that encourage their congregations to engage with the surrounding community.
• Nonprofit organizations that provide medical care, child care, education, food, legal aid, and other services.
• Media streams from individuals and groups that inform others about the gospel and how to connect with other believers. These media streams range from social media to broadcast outlets and publishing efforts.
3. Advocacy and action. Believers can influence social values and the people and institutions that shape them. Christian advocacy can include …
• Voting, running for public office, and supporting worthy candidates and legislation.
• Petitioning those in leadership positions to influence policies and procedures.
• Pressing for business and community development that benefits people and their surroundings, and promotes social justice.
Authentic faith involves more than just a private experience. It demands public manifestation. Faith transforms individuals, but it can also reshape the world and the systems that support and define our workplaces and communities.
Evil and sin certainly pervade the world. In response, Jesus sent us into the world to influence it for His sake (Mark 16:15). Through our families, our work, our prayers, our activity as public citizens, and our involvement in society’s structures, we can present Christ’s message and have an impact on a world that needs Him now more than ever.
