Unlearning the Us vs. Them Gospel

For decades, the phrase “sex sells” has been the mantra of marketers, entertainers, and cultural commentators. We’ve heard it so often it feels like a law of nature—like gravity, taxes, and slow Wi-Fi on Sundays.

But look around today. Scroll through your feed. Watch the first five minutes of the news.
It’s not sex that sells anymore.

What Sells Now

Our modern world runs on a new currency:
 • Hatred
 • Violence
 • Division
 • Anger
 • An “us vs. them” mentality

Algorithms know that outrage keeps you scrolling longer than beauty ever could.
Media outlets know fear glues your eyes to the screen more than inspiration.
Politicians know dividing voters is easier than bringing them together.

The world discovered something darker and more profitable than lust: our appetite for conflict.

A Culture of Lawlessness

The Apostle Paul described this moment long before Twitter existed:

“In the last days… people will be lovers of themselves… without self-control, brutal, not loving good.”
— 2 Timothy 3:1–3

It feels like we’re living the headlines of that scripture:
 • Road rage shootings
 • Public meltdowns recorded for clicks
 • Churches splitting over non-essentials
 • Families divided by politics
 • Christians attacking Christians online

Our culture is discipled—not by Jesus—but by fear, anger, and sensationalism.

So, How Should Christians Respond?

Let’s ask the most important question:
👉 What would Jesus do?
Better yet:
👉 What DID Jesus do?

1. Jesus Refused to Play the “Us vs. Them” Game
The Jews expected a Messiah who would crush their enemies.
Jesus showed up and ate dinner with them instead—tax collectors, Romans, sinners, Samaritans…

Where the world drew battle lines, Jesus pulled up chairs.

2. Jesus Didn’t Match Hostility With Hostility
When Peter drew a sword, Jesus said:

“Put your sword away.”
— John 18:11

When insulted, He didn’t retaliate.
When betrayed, He didn’t plot revenge.
When mocked, He stayed silent.

Christianity is most powerful when it refuses the world’s methods.

3. Jesus Spoke Truth — But Never Without Love
He confronted sin, yes—but never at the expense of compassion.

Truth without love becomes a weapon.
Love without truth becomes an empty wish.
Jesus held both perfectly.

4. Jesus Built a Kingdom the World Cannot Market
The world sells fear to control behavior.
Jesus gives peace that surpasses understanding.

The world divides to conquer.
Jesus unites by sacrifice.

The world profits from outrage.
Jesus brings healing through forgiveness.

Our Mission Hasn’t Changed

Regardless of how loud culture gets, Christians are still called to:
 • Love our enemies (even the infuriating ones)
 • Pray for those who persecute us
 • Bless those who curse us
 • Be peacemakers, not pot-stirrers
 • Speak hope when others shout hate
 • Point people to Jesus—not our opinions

If sex once sold, and anger sells now, the Kingdom still trades in the same eternal currency:
faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love.

We Don’t Win by Beating the World at Its Own Game

We win by looking like Jesus.
By responding differently.
By refusing to amplify the hatred being peddled for profit.
By living a gospel compelling enough to expose the world’s cheap substitutes.

When culture shifts into darkness, it’s not a sign to panic—it’s a sign to shine.

“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.”
— John 1:5

Final Thought

Sex may no longer be the selling point of culture, but neither hatred nor division has the final word. Jesus does.

And He’s still calling His followers to do what He did:
 • Seek peace
 • Speak truth
 • Love radically
 • Cross divides
 • And carry the gospel into a world starving for a better way

Because ultimately, the world doesn’t need more outrage—it needs more Jesus.

Pastor James Socials