The Culture of Christ Must Trump All Other Cultures!
Though it appears these are unparalleled times of social unrest and racial disparity, but in truth it is just a continuation of the status quo for fallen mankind. From the very beginning as it was with Cain and Able, jealousy and pride brought division, destruction and murder into their lives and family and into this world. Not much has changed in this realm of fallen mankind people still live life according to a fallen world system and they continue to behave under the influence of sin that kills, steals and destroys things that appears to be different or that they envy and desire.
This is all fallen humanity knows, self-interest and pride at all costs. We see it in many different forms throughout the world, in the East and Europe we see division between classes and social structures because of economics and power, which creates a hierarchy and separates the haves from the have nots. In the western culture we see the same division because of race, social and financial status because of power, pride and the greed of self-preservation at all cost. Though Jesus told us to die to self and to love others with an unconditional love, as He loved us.
Pride and self-deification have become the essence of fallen humanity. They no longer desire to reflect the image of God and walk according to His created purpose but are more concerned with their race, culture and clan. We see people in every nation, society, culture and walk of life seeking after their own self-interest and self-sufficiency. Fallen mankind has lost sight of their created purpose and eternal destiny, which is to reflect the image of God and to be in fellowship with Him for eternity. The fallen nature of mankind and those who are separated from God have lost their identity and their purpose to reflect the glory of God our Creator and Jesus Christ our Redeemer.
While living in a fallen world system that teaches pride, social disparity, economic supremacy, racial and cultural hierarchy, it is no wonder there is so much hate and destruction. When this fallen world, system is the guiding principle in a person’s life, they will focus on the immediate gratification of self rather than investing in the long-term eternal glory of God. Hate and pride are as natural as breathing and happens without effort for most people because we were all educated and trained in life by a system that values finances, power and culture over a living soul, those created in the image of God the Creator. That is why we are told to renew your mind and change the way you think according to the world of God and not according to a fallen system.
Mankind not only lost their soul in the fall but they lost their identity and purpose. Jesus came to seek and to save that which was lost, which was our identity as image bearers of God and our purpose, which is to reveal and reflect His glory in the earth. During these times of unrest, many people will find themselves at a crossroad of decision, which will test their true authenticity and will reveal the hearts and minds of each person. This will show who or what sits on the throne of their hearts. If Christ is King then He will reign in every decision that is made in one’s life and if it is self, pride and power then their actions will show it. Many people will call Jesus Lord but their actions will reveal who is truly sits on the throne as lord in their lives.
Jesus is the way the truth and the life of all who are true followers of Christ. The process of living a life for Christ is simple, He tells us to follow Him, to act as He acted and to love as He loved putting others before self. It is simple but it is not easy. One must renew their mind by changing the way they think, letting old things pass away and becoming a new creation. It is difficult to change thoughts and practices that have been embedded in our minds and taught us through our culture for centuries and especially when we were feed a steady diet of pride, hate and destruction. Jesus was born into a family and a people who were oppressed and ruled by another nation and yet it did not affect His view of those who were in power. Nor did it affect His view of Himself or His people because He knew who He was according to the word of God.
God’s people who are called by His name are called to humble themselves and turn from their own way of thinking and the way they were trained in by this fallen system. They are to ask the Holy Spirit to guide them in truth and show them the light of God’s truth. When we turn from wickedness, pride and haughtiness, God has promised to hear from heaven and forgive our sins and heal our land. It is the people of God who have the ability and the authority to change a nation with the act of humility and truth.
2 Chronicles 7:14
If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
True followers of Christ are called to live as Christ lived, having compassion for the lost and love toward those who are created in the image of God. A love that dies to self-interest and lives for the glory of God in the earth. Many people want to say God is love and that people should not say or do anything that may be offensive to those who oppose their viewpoint. Jesus stood against the religious pharisees who were all about their self-interests and drove them out of the temple with a whip. God is love and love can only be stand in the light of truth and not just emotions.
It is by the power of the Holy Spirit that we will come to know truth and to speak that truth in love, without malice or ill intent. Love must be tough enough to stand for truth against the emotions and long-standing fallen world systems that cultivate and feed continuous hatred and evil against God’s word and those created in His image.
We are to speak the truth in love.
Truth without love is brutal
Love without truth is devastating.
JMM
Integrity- People of God 