Culture and Its Many Manifestations Part 4
Focus Point 13: Now, let us concern ourselves with Acceptance-- Now our culture is also defined by what we accept. More and more people who claim to be believers and even Kingdom citizens are buying into the popular culture to such an extent that their language and lifestyle is impossible to tell which kingdom they belong to--the kingdom of the world or the Kingdom of God.
Focus Point: The more often we hear about a new culture, whether it is social or moral ideas, the more accepting we become until eventually it's not new to us anymore. Then we have accepted it, and now it has become a cultural norm. That is why we must be always alert in all we hear and watch, ever careful to evaluate all the new ideas and philosophies that comes down the line. Some of them may be alright, but many of them will be contrary to the culture, values, ideals of the Kingdom of Heaven. This is why we must constantly read, study and encourage others to stay in the Word of God.
Please note: When this is the case, as Kingdom citizens, we have the duty and responsibility to refuse to accept them.
Focus Point 14: Rejections-- On the other hand, our culture manifests also what we reject. Modern popular culture has reached the point where it rejects almost nothing. An attitude of "anything goes" prevails in many circles. Political correctness rules the day with its calculated and deliberate determination to be nice to everybody, avoid hurting anyone's feelings and refusing to take a stand by judging anything as evil, immoral or improper. Today's culture rejects the very idea of absolute standards. Everything is relative.
Focus Point: Now, Kingdom culture, on the other hand, rejects relativism in favor of the absolute standard of the unchanging Word of God. If some things are right, then some other things are wrong and must be rejected. Jesus our Lord and King made this statement:
Constitutional Scripture: Matthew 12:30 He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters.
Please note: No one can say it any more plainly than that. Those of you who call yourselves believers in Christ, but constantly disobey His laws by compromising His standards really should get a clue.
Please note: We can't have it both ways. We can't play both ends against the middle. There is a right and there is a wrong. Kingdom citizens must reject the wrong and seriously embrace the right and correct way.
Focus Point 15: Now, Distinctions-- Keep in mind that culture manifests also in our distinctions.
Question: What distinguishes us from other cultures?
Question: What makes the Kingdom culture distinctive from the culture of the world?
Focus Point: I am not speaking about outward apparel or things like clothing or hairstyles as must as inner qualities of character, values and norms. Paul stated it this way in God's Constitution:
Constitutional Scripture: Ephesians 5:8 For you were once in darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light.
Please note: Paul says that we are light! Not that we have light!
Focus Point 16: The final element is Quality Standards-- Now finally, culture manifests in our standards of quality. God never does anything half way and neither should His children. In everything that we do, Kingdom citizens should always be on the cutting edge of excellence, leading the way for everyone else rather than following in the world's wake. In Kingdom life we don't have to be perfect in what we do because we are imperfect people, but that is no excuse to accept shabby work, half-finished projects or a just-enough-to-get-by attitude. Our King demands our best. He deserves nothing less.
Focus Point: The more often we hear about a new culture, whether it is social or moral ideas, the more accepting we become until eventually it's not new to us anymore. Then we have accepted it, and now it has become a cultural norm. That is why we must be always alert in all we hear and watch, ever careful to evaluate all the new ideas and philosophies that comes down the line. Some of them may be alright, but many of them will be contrary to the culture, values, ideals of the Kingdom of Heaven. This is why we must constantly read, study and encourage others to stay in the Word of God.
Please note: When this is the case, as Kingdom citizens, we have the duty and responsibility to refuse to accept them.
Focus Point 14: Rejections-- On the other hand, our culture manifests also what we reject. Modern popular culture has reached the point where it rejects almost nothing. An attitude of "anything goes" prevails in many circles. Political correctness rules the day with its calculated and deliberate determination to be nice to everybody, avoid hurting anyone's feelings and refusing to take a stand by judging anything as evil, immoral or improper. Today's culture rejects the very idea of absolute standards. Everything is relative.
Focus Point: Now, Kingdom culture, on the other hand, rejects relativism in favor of the absolute standard of the unchanging Word of God. If some things are right, then some other things are wrong and must be rejected. Jesus our Lord and King made this statement:
Constitutional Scripture: Matthew 12:30 He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters.
Please note: No one can say it any more plainly than that. Those of you who call yourselves believers in Christ, but constantly disobey His laws by compromising His standards really should get a clue.
Please note: We can't have it both ways. We can't play both ends against the middle. There is a right and there is a wrong. Kingdom citizens must reject the wrong and seriously embrace the right and correct way.
Focus Point 15: Now, Distinctions-- Keep in mind that culture manifests also in our distinctions.
Question: What distinguishes us from other cultures?
Question: What makes the Kingdom culture distinctive from the culture of the world?
Focus Point: I am not speaking about outward apparel or things like clothing or hairstyles as must as inner qualities of character, values and norms. Paul stated it this way in God's Constitution:
Constitutional Scripture: Ephesians 5:8 For you were once in darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light.
Please note: Paul says that we are light! Not that we have light!
Focus Point 16: The final element is Quality Standards-- Now finally, culture manifests in our standards of quality. God never does anything half way and neither should His children. In everything that we do, Kingdom citizens should always be on the cutting edge of excellence, leading the way for everyone else rather than following in the world's wake. In Kingdom life we don't have to be perfect in what we do because we are imperfect people, but that is no excuse to accept shabby work, half-finished projects or a just-enough-to-get-by attitude. Our King demands our best. He deserves nothing less.
