Target Bathrooms, Coffee Cups and Cakes: How Should Christ-Followers Respond?

I have a theory about the Target boycott that has stemmed from their policy to allow shoppers to use the bathroom that has the gender sign on the door that they most identify with. As of today, 517,000 people have signed a petition stating that because of this policy, they will not shop at Target. Target has released a statement standing by their policy. So here's my theory:

Christ-followers ought to be far less concerned with where they shop and where they boycott and far more concerned with how to follow Christ in these days where situations like this become more commonplace.

Notice I said when, not if. It should come as no surprise to those of us who follow Christ that we are living in the end times. Technically, the end times include every day between the day of the ascension of Jesus until the day he returns. So yesterday, today, tomorrow - we are in the end times. The Bible has lots to say about these days and not one of those Scriptures implies that corporations will create their policies in accordance with the Holy Scriptures. Not one verse implies that the earthly government will honor Christ or that the USA will be one nation under God. Schools will not endorse prayer. Monuments displaying the Ten Commandments will not be on courthouse lawns. Coffee companies will not put jingle bells on their cups. Lawsuits will not be settled in favor of Christ-followers taking a stand on biblical principals.

Christ-follower, stop being surprised.

For some reason, many of us have fallen under the mistaken impression that people (and companies and governments) who have never claimed to follow Christ, should happily and willingly submit to the authority of God and His Word.

We're surprised when unbelievers act like unbelievers.

We're surprised when secular companies act like secular companies. We panic and post unloving statements on social media. We make promises to boycott companies (that most of the time we don't actually intend to keep). We have conversations over coffee and in Sunday School classes and through text messages that have no root in Scripture and every root in ignorance of the Scriptures.

Listen, I'm not going to tell you where to buy your groceries. That's between you and the Lord. But what I will say is that we are seeing something that God promised we would see.

"But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people." 2 Timothy 3:1-5

Not only will we see these behaviors in people and companies that are self-proclaimed secular to the core, Scripture says we will see these behaviors in people who have the appearance of godliness!

Christ-follower, stop being surprised! It's only going to get worse.

We are fast approaching the day when we will see a separation in the church. Kyle Idelman said it best in his book, Not a Fan:

The risks of following Christ will soon outweigh the worldly benefits in America. It's going to cost us something if we are going to follow Christ, not just call ourselves Christians. Many church leaders have tried so hard to make church an inviting, appealing place that is enjoyable to those who would call themselves Christians. Even today, those churches are growing in number while the number of those who actually follow Christ is dwindling. Many churches are comfortable places where friends gather, children play, motivational speeches are given and attenders walk out the doors boasting about what a great time they had. Many churches will continue to grow, full of people who call Him, "Lord, Lord" but who have no real relationship with Him. 

Slowly, almost silently a movement is taking place and real Christ-followers are beginning to deny themselves, take up their crosses and follow Him. They're not comfortable and they're not boasting about what a good time they're having. They're facing ridicule and slander. They're losing friends, losing jobs, losing business, losing income. The day is coming when American Christ-followers will face persecution, imprisonment and even the loss of life, similar to what Christ-followers in other nations have been experiencing for years. The bathrooms in Target and the decorations on the coffee cups and the lawsuits are just the tip of the iceberg.

But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. 

Christ-follower, do not let this catch you by surprise.