As for other matters, brothers and sisters, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you. 2 Thessalonians 3:1
This is an interesting prayer request for Paul. We have all prayed that the word of God would spread rapidly, but be honored too?
BibleHub defines honor in this way: It always implies the recognition or acknowledgment of inherent admirable qualities.
Many reading this can remember a time when even among non-believers, the word of God was respected. They may not believe it or follow it, but they respected it. When they went into a church building, they were reverent. Movies from the 1960 and earlier were respectful.
But something’s changed in American culture over the last 40 or 50 years.
What was it? There’s very little respect for the Word of God in modern secular settings. Hollywood trashes Christians and the Bible left and right and no one bats an eye about it.
You could say society is turning more evil and godless and you’d probably be right. But why? Why complete disrespect?
I could posit a number of valid reasons.
- People of God stopped living out their faith from Monday to Saturday.
- People of God stopped praying.
- People of God stopped praying with their children at home and expecting the schools to do it for them.
- The church stopped influencing society and instead became influenced by it.
Everyone reading this could add one or two more reasons. The issue is complicated to address in a short devotional.
But in the end, does part of the blame fall on Christians?
My goal certainly isn’t to lay a guilt trip on the believers reading this and worshiping God. The world is heavy enough without all that baggage.
I’m merely trying to find the answers myself. We may find there are a hundred answers to the question, but they still need solutions to address them.
Don’t misunderstand: God is still working in hearts and lives in this great land and around the world. Christianity is still a major influence on the sciences, medicine, hospitals, orphanages, homeless, nursing homes, and in the marketplace, and it’s another reason to praise God.
Yes, paganism and atheism is alive and well, but the living Word of God is more powerful than the forces of evil around us.
Daily, draw near to God and He will draw near to you.