There is great interest about how Christians should react to, and interact with our present culture. A few observations will help to introduces our subject. First, faith in Jesus Christ has always, is now, and will ever run counter to the cultural views of the world. That is why the Bible speaks of God’s people in exclusionary terms. For example, “These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them” (Hebrews 11:13-16). The Hebrew writer’s designation of these heroes of faith as “strangers and pilgrims” is intended to be an exhortation to Christians to have the same relationship to the world. We are not to fit in. Our views, convictions and standards should not align to the world.
Second, this should not be considered a defeat. God does not expect us to be well liked in our world. Consider the world an enemy rather than a friend. Jesus said, “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon” (Matthew 6:24). Instead, our purpose is to influence others to come out of the world. In effect, to change sides. We do this through our influence and persuasion. If we give an alternative to individuals, through our influence and teaching, our higher standard, and devotion to a cause may cause them to change! This is God’s objective, and our own.
The Bible clearly establishes that in every age only a few will be interested in the call to godliness. “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it” (Matthew 7:13-14). Our purpose is simple. In finding the difficult way which leads to life, from that point on we strive to continue in that way, and find others who might make the same choice. This is the purpose of preaching to the lost. Paul wrote Timothy, “Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you” (1 Timothy 4:16). The idea of hearing here does not merely indicate that physical sounds are noted by the ear. There are individuals who can be influenced by words that are shared. These are noble. These words can bring repentance. They can bring salvation as they change the hearts of those who really HEAR. The Bereans are an example that quickly come to mind. “These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so. Therefore many of them believed, and also not a few of the Greeks, prominent women as well as men” (Acts 17:11-12).
So, how do we react to the culture around us beyond trying to convince others to reject it, and embrace God’s righteousness as an alternative? Here are a few thoughts:
- We strive to not let culture influence us. There are many examples of this happening. The Cretans were known as liars, and so the Christians on that island needed strong admonition against deceit (cf. Titus 1:12-14. The Corinthian church had a lot of problems which mirrored the culture of that time. Paul indicated this was because of their worldliness. He wrote, “And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ” (1 Corinthians 3:1).
- We change our behavior to indicate a different allegiance in our lives. “For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles—when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries” (1 Peter 4:3).
- We edify and involve ourselves in each others lives! “And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25 not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching” (Hebrews 10:24-25).
- We learn about God’s righteousness by appealing to His revelation to us. “Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You. Blessed are You, O LORD! Teach me Your statutes” (Psalms 119:11-12).
- We meditate upon God’s higher standards and avoid sin. “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things” (Philippians 4:8).
Much more could be written, but this is a start. We should glory in the fact we are counter cultural! Rejoice!
