Don’t be enamoured by the current culture. This feels a lot like the issues the church is facing today. We seem to want to be so close to what the world does without crossing whatever the line is at the time.
Have we forgotten what the standard is for the Christian life? I don’t mean the do and do not list of a couple generations ago. I mean the part where Jesus said LOVE one another. He meant that. The part about showing grace to our brothers and sisters in Christ. He meant that too. The parts about honour, live in harmony, stop judging, accept, love, forgive, do not deceive, serve, encourage, be kind, patient, be compassionate, gentle & humble, do not slander, show hospitality, submit, speak with psalms, be at peace, do not deprive, wait for, do not lie, build up, live in peace, don’t grumble against, pray for, confess to. God meant all these too! These are all verbs, actions to be taken!
This pandemic has SO divided many people in the church. It will ruin our witness if we don’t get our collective act together.
2 Timothy 4:1-5 – In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry.
Romans 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect
“Be not conformed to this world,” says Paul. What characterizes this world?
- Pragmatism (Does it have utility? Does it make me money? If not, then I have no time for it).
- Materialism (I need promotions to be the best and get the best. Multiple cars, nice home, etc.).
- Naturalism (Every cause has an explanation in nature; nature has no purpose and neither do I).
- Acceptance (I must accept and approve of everything that everyone does even if I don’t believe it is right. And if I don’t accept it ALL, then I am labeled a bigot or worse).
- No absolute truth (you do you and I’ll do me even if they conflict. Even this statement is an example of absolute truth).
- And much more…
We all live in this present age. We do not often, however, question the big picture values of our culture. The simple decision to choose a job for the sake of money instead of a job that pays less but perhaps provides non-material rewards (more time for leisure, family, ministry, purpose, etc.) participates within “this age.” It may be the right decision. But the decision is not neutral.
Don’t be enamoured by the current culture. Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things Colossians 3:2. No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. Matthew 6:24
Meandering Moose 