The songwriter had it right when he wrote, “This world is not my home!” I am sure every blood-bought Christian agrees that this world leaves a lot to be desired. God has designed for the believer to go against the grain, or to live “counter culturally” to this world.
Satan, on the other hand, has illuminated everything in the world to be appealing to our old and sinful nature. Although our sin nature has been crucified, if left unguarded, it will still try to raise its ugly head. The world and it’s pleasures are like the flashing lights in Las Vegas that say, “Come and see us; experience our way and really enjoy life.”
A walk through the mall is enough to make any God-fearing Christian blush. Look in the average Independent Baptist Church today and you will see the fashions and styles of the world. Even the music and “sermonettes” are responding to the dictates of what people want, rather than what glorifies the Lord.
I am simply saying that it is getting more and more difficult to live for God in a cross cultural society unless we live our lives based on the culture of the Cross. Paul put it this way, “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).
The philosophy of so many young (and old) people today is, “But everyone is doing it.” Our response should be, “No they are not! God-fearing Christians are not dipping the flag to be tainted by this world’s goods.” And, even if “everyone else” is doing it, it still may not be the best thing—just ask Noah’s generation!
Leviticus 18:1–5 says:
“And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, I am the LORD your God. After the doings of the land of Egypt, wherein ye dwelt, shall ye not do: and after the doings of the land of Canaan, whither I bring you, shall ye not do: neither shall ye walk in their ordinances. Ye shall do my judgments, and keep mine ordinances, to walk therein: I am the LORD your God. Ye shall therefore keep my statutes, and my judgments: which if a man do, he shall live in them: I am the LORD.”
The Israelites were not to emulate what they saw in the land (culture) of Egypt where they had been, nor were they to do, “After the doings of the land [culture] of Canaan,” where they were going. In other words, God wants people who are willing to live counter culturally to this world. We must keep our eyes on the Lord and “press toward the mark” until we hear the shout!
I believe this is what John meant in 1 John 2:15–17:
“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.”
God is looking for and expects a separated people who are willing to live counter culturally for His glory. We are not to let this world—or culture— mold our convictions or the principles by which we live.
Going to church three times a week (although we should) does not make us holy or righteous; it is Jesus living in and through us.
Is your life and testimony beginning to blend in with the world, or is there a clear distinction between the way you live and the rest of the world. We all need to check our hearts, our motives, our pride, our desires, our lifestyle, and our thoughts and actions.
“Even so come, Lord Jesus.” Revelation 22:20b