What are the consequences when Christians back out of culture and take the path of least resistance? We have much less influence on morality for one thing. Because of this, many of us no longer recognize America as the once shining city on a hill, but what can we do about it now?

It is true God is doing some great things in lots of churches, but America is suffering from the effects of decades of sin and Christian apathy. One reason we are seeing an increase of godlessness in our society today is because believers have become too busy, comfortable or distracted; forgetting God’s purpose for our lives.

Revelation 3:2 says,

It’s time to wake up and strengthen what remains and is about to die…”

As the church goes – so goes America. Not only that, our religious freedoms are being threatened more every day. Are we failing to learn from history?

Dietrich Bonhoeffer once said,

Silence in the face of evil is itself evil. God will not hold us guiltless…”

But too often we find ourselves backing down from the slightest opposition and ducking the issue of sin. Rather than accommodating sin in culture, we should be confronting and exposing it (Ephesians 5:11). What are we so afraid of?

Even when Peter and the Apostles were ordered not to speak in the name of Jesus, they refused and said:

We must obey God rather than men. (Acts 5:29)

And in Galatians 1:10, Paul said,

If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.

The early church understood this important truth: silence never saved anyone.

If we really love others, wouldn’t we tell them the truth that sin separates us from God? Sure it’s unpopular. Why do you think Christians who do preach the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ alone are often called hateful, intolerant, or judgmental?

This is exactly the environment our silent indifference has helped create, but there’s more to it than that. What happened to the salt and light? We also need to live what we claim to believe because when Christians blend in with the world, it weakens our witness and our credibility.

Rather than retreat and hide the influence of Jesus, we need to know the word of God and then stand up for what is right! 1 Peter 3:15 says we always need to be ready to defend the gospel and give an answer to others for the hope we have. Are we ready to have these debates about God, the Bible, truth, sin, eternity, and who Jesus is?

People are seeking answers and it is up to you and me to lovingly direct them to the only God who can save their lives! Some will refuse to believe no matter what, but as culture becomes more dark and people more hopeless, others will be open to hearing the truth.

God is still working in a remnant of truth defenders and proclaimers. However, it is also obvious Christians are not having the impact we used to have in America, let alone that our founders intended. Are we willing to get out of our comfort zones and risk by boldly living our faith?

If most Christians remain silent, fewer people will be saved, society will continue to collapse, and history will show that we were part of the problem. It is indisputable: there is a cost to our silence. The question is – how many of us will answer God’s call and do something about it?