Social Ferment

 I learned a new term today, "the age of ferment."

Social ferment refers to a state of collective agitation and transformation within a society, often driven by motivated individuals seeking social, cultural, or political reform. This concept is closely related to the idea of social movements, which are characterized by collective action and the emergence of grievances that lead to organized efforts for change.

One thing I know is we are definitely living in an age of social ferment, but guess what God's Word doesn't change.

Politically, our nation is about as divided as it can get. Every day, we see and hear the unrest in our nation. When JD Vance came to Athens this week, protesters waved signs with Old Testament verses (trust me, you don't want to start that because it won't end well for you).

Sadly, this has spilled over into society and into the church (which should never have happened). We now have churches that I wonder where they are getting their messages from.

So, my friend, what are we to do?

1. Be sure of your salvation (1 John 5:11-12). There is a lot of teaching out there that presents itself as Christian, but it is not in accordance with God's Word.

2. Stay grounded in the Bible, and when I say that, I mean study the Word, don't pick and choose verses to fit your beliefs (2 Timothy 2:15).

3. "Be indebted to no one, except to one another in love." (Romans 13:8) I believe that as a society, we’ve lost sight of the true meaning of this and have adopted a more worldly interpretation. As Alice used to say, “Go into the ditch and help your neighbor, but don’t stay there.”

4. Pray. Take your political and social ideology before the throne, and if it isn't lining up with God's Word, the Holy Spirit will tell you. (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

Friend, none of us is perfect, but if we are Christians, we are called to live out a Christ-centered worldview. The old saying holds true: before you act, ask yourself, "What would Jesus do?"