Seismic cultural shifts occur in many parts of the world, and once solid ground now feels like shifting sand. As agendas are developed and battle lines are drawn, you will hear this phrase often repeated: “I want to be on the right side of history.”
What do people mean by these words? Is the right side of history based on the tide of popular opinion? Or a majority vote? By what criteria do people decide the “right side” or “wrong side” of history?
History reveals that the majority has often been mistaken. Truth is not determined by an opinion poll or popular vote. Solomon reminds us, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death” (Prov. 16:25, NASB). As Christians, determinations regarding right and wrong should be made in the context of the clear teachings of the Bible. God’s Word must always be a lamp to our feet and a light to our path (see Ps. 119:105).
We must also show grace and respect to those whose opinions differ from our own. By claiming to be on the right side, we implicitly imply that those who hold differing positions are on the wrong side. We judge them.
The call to follow Jesus as Savior and Lord involves a willingness to surrender our agenda and let Him be the Author of our histories. We will become less and He will become more. We will ask the Holy Spirit to bring our dreams and aspirations into alignment with the will of God. We will pray, as Jesus taught us, “ ‘Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven’ ” (Matt. 6:10, NKJV).
We find a wonderful example of a life surrendered to the will of God in the person of John the Baptist. When people heard reports of his call to repentance, I’m sure there were some who labeled him as one who lived on the wrong side of history—living out in the desert, refusing to play by the rules of his culture. Who did he think he was, asking those who had two coats to give one to a person in need, or telling soldiers not to intimidate people or accuse them falsely and to be content with their pay (see Luke 3:11–14)? Didn’t he realize that you have to work within the system? When John the Baptist confronted corruption and moral failure, he was thrown into prison (Mark 6:17, 18). Undoubtedly, many of the secular and religious leaders of his day judged him for being on the wrong side of history.
Jesus, on the other hand, affirmed John, announcing to the multitudes, “ ‘there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist’ ” (Matt. 11:11, NKJV). “ ‘If you are willing to receive it,’ ” Jesus said, “ ‘he is Elijah who is to come’ ” (v. 14, NKJV). If Elijah had been preoccupied with the tide of public opinion, he would never have spoken out against Baal worship. The odds were against him. With 450 prophets of Baal and 400 prophets of Asherah, Elijah was obviously outnumbered. From a human perspective, he was clearly on the wrong side of history. The odds were against John the Baptist as well, and when he died alone and was apparently forsaken in a stinking dungeon, evil appeared to have gained the upper hand.
But we must never forget that “ ‘ “the Most High rules in the kingdom of men” ’ ” (Dan. 4:17, NKJV). He is Lord over history and works out His will in the midst of human plans and passions. Ultimately, aligning our lives and our wills in complete harmony with His will is all that really matters.
As we courageously follow God’s revealed will, there may be times when we are affirmed by some for being on the right side of history. We will also surely be condemned by others for being on the wrong side of history. But when the final chapter of earth’s history is written, we will see that God’s Word endures. His will has been done on earth as it is in heaven.
As cultural views and values change all around us, may the articles in this issue of our journal help you to be attentive to God’s Word and His will for your life and ministry.
