Russell Moore

The church has many problems, of course. It always does. But, sometimes, if you pay attention, you can see in those small, ordinary patterns of life together something of the glory of the Jesus who loves us and dwells among us.

We should all be praying for our new and continuing government leaders; reminding ourselves that, while we pledge allegiance to all these temporal authorities where we can or must, our ultimate allegiance is elsewhere.

Usually, the day after a national presidential election, I write an article calling on Christians to pray for the newly-elected chief executive.And yet, the day after Election Day 2020, we do not know who is elected, or when we will know. So what does the Bible require of us then?

An obituary is a story...with a narrative and a resolved plotline. It is an attempt to make meaning out of life when one can finally see it all—after it's over. In a very real sense, that’s what we spend our lives trying to do. That is what courage is about.

The outside world will still misunderstand us. That shouldn’t offend us, but should instead give us an exciting opportunity to bear witness to a Scripture we are to carry as news and as good news.

Maybe some cowboys may pretend to be invincible where they should acknowledge dependence. Good Shepherds never do.

John Powell the preacher would tell us—as John the Apostle has—that “the darkness is passing away and the true light is already shining” (1 John 2:8). We know that John would want us to know that because he preached it—and because he lived it.

I’ve watched John excel in the pastorate, and be an exemplary man, husband, and father. I was incredibly proud of him. I can’t wait to see him again. And right now I’m just crushed. Please pray for the Powells. We love you John. We’re proud of you.

With the kingdom first in our affections, we can show gratitude for our country, serve her, and be willing to criticize her missteps and valorize her achievements. Our citizenship here is temporary (Philippians 3:20). You can sing the “Star-Spangled Banner” better if you love “Amazing Grace” more. You can be an American best if you are not an American first.

Those who decry the sexual revolution, but approve or excuse adultery, sexual abuse, or pornography—should have, no credibility. Instead, what is needed is an ongoing demonstration of counter-cultural fidelity, accountability, love, and a recognition of the limits that make life good and livable.

The glory of God is not in our norms or our stable monuments but in the life of Christ, and the life of Christ only. Everything else is stripped away. “All other ground is sinking sand,” one might say. And that’s true for all of us as we follow the Way of the Cross.

We’re free to love each other. We’re free to listen to each other. We’re free to be led by one another. We’re free to serve one another. We’re free to be the Church of Jesus Christ. The Church of Jesus Christ will one day be whole.

The initial reports about the George Floyd case—as with so many of the others—are bewildering. A man is dead, and for that we should weep. Yet, these awful scenarios keep happening. We know about such things these days because of video recordings, but God has known about such things all along. We might not always know how to proceed. But the questions before us are real. And they are not distractions.

Coronavirus has changed so many things, but it won't change the heart of the church. How we adapt to a newer, kinder gathering has the power to be all Good News.