You Can't Out-Woke God

You can't out-educate holiness.

You can't out-affirm Jesus.

You can't out-woke God.

That is just some straight up bad news for all the so-called academics out there. Progressive thinkers obsessed with reaching higher forms of thought are going to be so disappointed having wasted so much time trying to gain the world after loosing their own souls (Mark 8:36). Those quasi-spiritual influencers that consider themselves to be society's long-awaited for bridge builders are going to be dumbfounded when they learn that there is but one mediator between God and man, Jesus Christ (1 Timothy 2:5). Social justice warriors are going to be so shocked when they finally learn that their woke culture, in fact, is not more compassionate than the Father of compassion, God Himself (2 Corinthians 1:3).

And how do I honestly feel about all of this? Sad. So super sad. Mostly because the leaders who fit into the above referenced categories hold themselves out to be the saviors of the marginalized, which effectively diverts the eyes of their subjects away from the only person in the world more marginalized than all of them who DIED to save them. Instead of teaching that in this life we must share in the sufferings of Jesus Christ, but that our comfort abounds in Christ as well (2 Corinthians 1:5), they teach that all suffering can and should be eliminated by way of social activism. Instead of teaching that light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all (2 Corinthians 4:17), their teachings reinforce the belief that this world is as good as it's ever going to get. And there is not a sadder thought on earth than that right there.

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

1 Corinthians 10:13

In the bible, most of the "suffering" passages refer to ones undergoing religious persecution for the sake of advancing the gospel of Christ. Thankfully in America we are not under threat of this sort of suffering, at least for now. So, with that in mind, the suffering I mainly refer to in this post comes as a result of the daily fight to resist the fleshly temptations that scripture labels as "common to man." It's in the excruciatingly difficult choice not to engage in certain behaviors faced by those who suffer alcoholism, drug abuse or sex/porn addiction. It's in the counter-cultural laying aside of human craving by those who struggle to simply remain pure while waiting for marriage or while battling same-sex attraction. It's in the incredibly difficult decision not to pursue revenge by those who have been irreparably harmed by the likes of racism, sexism and other physical/emotional abuse. It's in the hugely counter intuitive choice to do as Jesus commanded and literally turn the other cheek, among many other things. Y'all, these are extraordinarily difficult tasks. I honestly can't fathom the daily temptation of an addict trying to stay sober. I can't imagine the agony of the same-sex attracted person trying to remain celibate. These are the pictures of suffering this post calls to mind. I pray this verse brings all of us comfort in knowing we are NOT alone. We are NOT on an island where no one has any idea what we're facing. There is always someone else dealing with the exact thing we are dealing with. Of course Satan wants us feeling isolated because that's where he does his best work. If he's got us feeling like no one in the whole world could possibly understand what we're going through, he also makes us lose sight of our "way of escape, that we may be able to endure it."

Is it necessary for me to suffer in the exact same ways as my fellow human beings in order to speak biblical truth into those things? Honestly, I don't think so. But, just in case, let's allow the apostle Paul to do some talking about a life lived at times in anguish and the truths He learned along the way.

We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about the troubles we experienced in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt we had received the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us again. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.

2 Corinthians 1:8-11

Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn?

2 Corinthians 11:24-29

I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.

Philippians 4:12-13

We sent Timothy, who is our brother and co-worker in God’s service in spreading the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, so that no one would be unsettled by these trials. For you know quite well that we are destined for them. In fact, when we were with you, we kept telling you that we would be persecuted. And it turned out that way, as you well know.

1 Thessalonians 3:2-4

You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, persecutions, sufferings—what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them. In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,

2 Timothy 3:10-12

Did you know that the New Testament has been preserved in more manuscripts than any other ancient work of literature? There are over 5,800 complete or fragmented Greek manuscripts cataloged, 10,000 Latin manuscripts and 9,300 manuscripts in various other ancient languages including Syriac, Slavic, Gothic, Ethiopic, Coptic and Armenian (source: Wikipedia). Why is that important? Well for one thing, I think God really, REALLY, wanted us to read what Paul learned about the realities of human suffering during our lifetimes. Albeit, Paul's persecutions and sufferings looked much different than ours do in America today. However, I still think God wanted us to know without a shadow of a doubt that this life would potentially stink, but also, that participation in Christ's suffering (in whatever form it comes) for a little while on earth would reap a reward too unimaginably magnificent to accurately write about.

Paul was repeatedly beaten, stoned, whipped, imprisoned, shipwrecked, starved, left homeless, cold, naked and hopeless for life itself at times. I dare say that those kinds of sufferings far exceed that of most Americans today and yet Paul said, "I can do all this through Christ who gives me strength." (Philippians 4:13) Today though, when our social lives are met with even the smallest hiccup, we seem to say, "I can do all this because my woke celebrity life coach/social media influencer gives me license to pursue unbridled pleasure at whatever cost so long as I remain happy and unburdened." Again, I am sad because of all the missed opportunities to allow Christ to be the ultimate rescuer instead of some second-rate, celeb substitute with a self-centered gospel.

Actually, to be honest, I am mad. Mad at those quasi-spiritual influencers who have wasted their opportunity to use their huge platforms to tell people the truth about life as Paul told us it would be. Instead of telling people that now is the time to rejoice in suffering because of the endurance, character and hope that it produces (Romans 5:3-4), they steal away any chance for spiritual growth through Christ while offering up themselves as the antidote for the human condition. Gross.

Jesus said, "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." (John 16:33).

Jesus did not say, "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! Jen Hatmaker and Glennon Doyle have overcome the world."

The Bible tells us that "The word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword" (Hebrews 4:12)

The Bible does not tell us that "The words of Rachel Hollis are alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword"

The book of James tells us to "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you." (James 1:2-5)

The book of James does not tell us to "Consider yourselves undeserving whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that you are never required to feel anything beyond pure delight. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask Oprah who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you."

Y'all, that seems so ridiculous, I know. Believe me, I am having a hard time even typing those things. But, sadly, leaders and influencers all across our world are giving people BAD advice. They are re-interpreting biblical truths by whatever means necessary to make sin okay and calling themselves "woke." They are telling people that if they undergo a trial in life, they'll just advocate for a new law that makes it go away. They should instead be telling them, "Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him." (James 1:12) These influencers use Jesus' radical love for outcast and marginalized people to make a severely flawed case for the inclusivity of all kinds of sinful behavior. Jesus dined with sinners regularly, He absolutely did. Jesus did NOT sin with sinners regularly, He absolutely did not! It is blasphemy to think or suggest otherwise because it distorts His very nature. His purpose for loving everyone He came in contact with was for one reason and one reason only... to seek and to save the lost (Luke 19:10). 

Salvation comes to those who believe in the name of Jesus and ask Him for forgiveness of sins. Vital to our transformation process is a willingness to endure assigned hardships in order to temporarily participate in the suffering of Christ. And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me." (Luke 9:23) I may not know the level of suffering that a man or woman fighting homosexual temptation has to endure. Believe me, just like the social activists, I too at times am tempted to just throw my hands up and beg God to allow people to marry whoever they feel like marrying! That would be so much easier on everyone! However, Jesus didn't call us to an easy life. He didn't call us to use social activism as a means to advocate for sin. He repeatedly called us toward inward transformation leading to behaviors that would promote Godly living. His purpose wasn't to leave people exactly as He found them because their trials were too great to overcome. Far from it! His purpose was to bring a new way of life that, although not free from trouble, could be lived MORE abundantly (John 10:10).

Never forget this...

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Hebrews 4:15

Jesus is our high priest and He invites us to draw near to Him so that He can help us in our time of suffering and need. We do that through intense prayer and scripture reading, not through Googling our fave self-help pundit who gives us permission to continue in sin. Sometimes our help comes in the form of an accountability partner. Just like I am more prone to go to the gym if I know someone there will ask why I've skipped my last three work outs, we are all more likely to resist our temptations when we have a trusted friend holding us accountable. Our trusted friend can also be our "way of escape" at times as well.

Bottom line is this. Suffering for Christ now in order to participate with Christ in glory later is better than gaining the world now only to lose your soul later. I know this is cliche, but what's 80, 90 or even 100 years compared with eternity?

You, indeed, have made my days short in length,

and my life span as nothing in Your sight.

Yes, every mortal man is only a vapor.

Psalm 39:5

Please do not let this ridiculous, woke culture convince you that suffering in your flesh is meaningless so you should just give into it, or better yet, pioneer new laws and social reforms to combat it at all costs. Suffering in our flesh can be our way of identifying with our Savior, Jesus Christ! Revelation tells us that one day God will wipe every tear from our eyes and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain (Revelation 21:4). There is literally no one who hurts more for us when we hurt than God Himself. No amount of woke culture even holds a candle to the mercies of God and no amount of woke culture can actually turn suffering into beauty the way God can either. He holds every tear we've ever shed in a bottle, not a one to be wasted. No, I don't know the extent of your pain and I won't belittle you by imagining that I do. But, the scripture quoted in this post is for everyone regardless of circumstances. This life is but a vapor, but eternity in heaven awaits!

Please come with me...