Romans 8:7 (ESV) — For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot.

True Christians find themselves on the opposite side of many societal and cultural ideas and beliefs. We find ourselves on the opposite side of things like absolute truth, moral issues such as sexuality or abortion, and religious issues such as Jesus being the only way to heaven. Why is this happening? Why is it like this today? I would argue that there has always been, to some degree, hostility against Christianity, though it remained masked under a cultural rule of not speaking against religion. It was taboo to criticize Christianity, but that does not mean there has not been hostility toward Christ, Christians, or Christian beliefs. But the restraint is gone, and what's always been there is clearly seen now.

Our passage today speaks to the reality of why the world is in such rebellion against God. We read, “For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot.”

According to the verses, unbelievers are defined by their hostility toward God. They are hostile toward God because His ways and sovereignty threaten their own ways and sovereignty. We have a condition in our society and in our thinking today that rejects authority. We don’t like having authority over us. We like to be our own authority. This is all the more reason why so many people have a difficult time letting the Bible serve as their authority over them and their lives. 

Unbelievers are hostile to God because they want to be God. This was the problem of Satan. It was the temptation of Adam and Eve, to be like God. Non-Christians are hostile toward Christians and Christianity as a whole. Have you noticed that there is very little hostility toward Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism (yes, they experience torment in the Middle East, but not here) or other philosophies of life. Even Satanism is not treated as hostile as Christianity? Have you ever stopped to ask why this is? Have you ever wondered why Christianity seems targeted? People are hostile to God. As you watch the news or read your social media feed today, be reminded of why the world is the way it is. And let’s pray for God to strengthen His church for the task we have of being light in the darkness.

Ever wonder why Christianity seems targeted today? Unbelievers are hostile to God because they want to be God. Let's pray that God will strengthen His church for the task of being light in the darkness!

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Reflection & Journal:
- Why is it important to recognize that hostility to God is underneath the issues in the world?
- What does hostility to God look like in the world today?
- How can we remain encouraged in the midst of a world of hostility against God?

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