\u201cWe live in a world of social change. This is not a new observation, yet it brings fresh challenges for gospel proclamation in our society, which appears to be moving further and further away from the guidelines for living which are enshrined in God\u2019s Word. As Christians, we are at odds with the world. For good reason, John the Evangelist recorded Jesus\u2019 warning to his disciples: If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. (John 15:18-19)\u201d\u009d<\/p>\n
\u201cIn the same chapter of John\u2019s Gospel, Jesus told his disciples that he had spoken these words so that his joy might be in them\u201d\u201din us\u201d\u201dand that our joy may be full (John 15:11). This is an incredible promise and one that perhaps we do not appreciate, let alone assimilate, in our daily lives.
\nHow is your joy? Is it real or feigned in the face of opposition to the gospel from your friends or family, workmates of fellow travellers?\u201d\u009d the Archbishop said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe antagonism of the world to the Word of God is perhaps seen nowhere more acutely than in the virulent challenge to the definition of marriage which pervades conversations in the media, the workplace and even in our places of leisure.\u201d\u009d Dr Davies said. \u201cIt is time that all Christians, especially Anglicans, should enter the discussion and graciously and sensitively explain the reasons why our good Creator has made marriage the way he has. We need to be courageous in our discussions both in private and in public, yet we also need to be sensitive and loving in our defence of biblical truth.\u201d\u009d<\/p>\n