Love to hear from and know who is listening
When we have an especially wet spring there is a creek in between my home and town that floods and occasionally covers the highway. This creek strangely enough is named “Big Creek.” One time the flood waters of the creek covered the highway. I pulled up to the highway and there was department of transportation trucks flagging people down. The road was hidden beneath the water. The workers told me that I could cross at my own risk. The water was only a few inches deep, but you couldn't see the road for about a quarter mile. I was told to pick a point on the other side of the water and keep my eyes focused on the other side. If you look at the rushing water your eyes will follow the current and you will drive your car off the road. Did you know that 6 inches of rushing water can cause your tires to lose traction and slide, and can reach the bottom of most cars, leading to loss of control and possible stalling. 12 inches can float many cars. 18 inches will float SUV's and pickups. 2 feet will carry away most vehicles. If you have ever tried to swim or even wade upstream into rushing water you know that it is very difficult to fight against the current. You can apply the same theory to your spiritual walk. If you don't keep your eyes focused on the truth of God's word it is very easy for you to loose you way to be swept away by the current of culture.
Proverbs 4:25 ESV Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you.
In our culture, the only wrong is saying something is wrong. Tolerance is held as the world’s moral standard. In world today, Christianity and culture are colliding constantly and some Christians are giving in to the pressures. As they immerse themselves into the culture in the hopes of leading some to the Lord, they themselves are being led astray. As Christians if you try to change the culture of the world you will find yourself swimming upstream. You can’t get flowers by pulling weeds. If you want flowers, you have to plant flowers. If culture is to be redeemed, it will not be because we remove evil, but because we grow the kingdom of Jesus. If we really want to redeem culture, then, go and make disciples. Tell people about Jesus and demonstrate His transforming power in our lives. If making disciples is the battle plan, then what is our weapon? Jesus did not say, “All men will know you are my disciples if you win the culture war.” Rather, He said they will know you children of God “if you love one another.”
John 13:35 ESV By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
When it comes to the culture of the world we live in, as Christians we don't embrace. However we don't withdraw either. We don't try to overthrow, we engage. Jesus means for us to live our lives right where we are, in the midst of the sinful world. The only way for Christians to win a “culture war” is to grow the kingdom of Jesus, and the weapon of choice must be love.
John 13: 34 EZV A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.
How we treat others is the living example of the love God demonstrated to us on the cross. To be a disciple of Christ means to love others unconditionally, forgiving the inexcusable sins of the past, showing mercy, and loving unconditionally with eyes focused on Jesus, so that the we are not swept away by the current of the culture of the world!
