As Christians, we will not win the culture war because we are smarter, more strategic, more articulate, more determined, better organized, better funded, better led, have a better plan, or work harder.

We will not win it because we really, really want it. Or want it more than “they” do. We will not win it because we are right. Or because it’s really, really important. Or because we are on the right side of history.

Don’t get me wrong. We should try to be smarter, more strategic, more articulate, more determined, better organized, better funded, better led, have a better plan, and work harder than those who oppose what we hold precious.

But we are not responsible to win the culture war. We’ve tried. It has been frustrating. Many of us are angry. Yet if the last 50 years have shown us anything, it’s that the more angry and polemic Christians become, the less non-Christians listen to us. They look at us like we’re kooks, because in many cases we are.

If it is the will of God for us to redeem culture, how will it happen? You can’t get flowers just by pulling weeds. If you want flowers, you have to plant flowers. If culture is to be redeemed, it will not be because we remove evil, but because we grow the kingdom of Jesus. And that, of course, will leave less soil for weeds to grow, even though Jesus said weeds will be allowed to grow beside the wheat.

So how should we proceed? If we really want to win the culture war, let’s “go and make disciples.” That is how we grow the kingdom of Jesus. That is the Jesus way of winning the culture war.

And what should be our weapon of choice? Jesus did not say, “All men will know you are my disciples if you win the culture war.” Rather, He said they will know it “if you love one another.”

It’s worth remembering, “The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love” (Galatians 5:6). So let’s all be known for, “Speaking the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15).

We may lose the culture war. But if that is the will of God for our generation, then let’s not go down swinging. If we must go down, let’s go down loving. Because even if we’re right, we’re wrong when we don’t say it in love.

And if God should grace us to win the culture war, it will not be because we destroyed them, but because by our love they became disciples too. So let’s go plant some flowers.

Until every church disciples every man…

Pat