Episode 66

A Christian & The Culture

Followers of Jesus Christ are on a mission mandated by our risen Lord and Savior to go into the world and fulfill His kingdom agenda. This Verity can be found in Mark 16 v 15-18 and Matthew 28 v 19 – 20. But, in John 17 v 16, He also says, “They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.”

So, how do we carry out the Great Commission within the world and modern-day culture without becoming inaccessible or indistinguishable from it? How do we tread the tightrope between being in the world and not of the world?

TSV family! Grab your Bibles, and open up your journals. It’s time to feast on the Verity that is the Word of God.

Conversation Highlights

The hosts of your favorite podcasts asked and answered:

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  • What is the role of Christians in culture?09:08
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  • How should Christians engage with the culture?21:39
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  • Name three ways Christians can ensure they are not being led by the culture.40:48

Synopsis

These are the recorded words of our risen Lord & Savior, Jesus Christ, during His Sermon on the Mount:
You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” ~ Matthew 5 v 13-16 NKJV (emphasis added)

Using this simplistic analogy of these two transformative agents, Christ eloquently illustrates our role within the culture: salt operates internally, within the mass it comes in contact with, while light works externally, illuminating all it reaches.

As we mix with the masses of humanity in our everyday life, we positively influence the flavor of the world around us while at the same time having a fruitful and delightful radiance that points them back to our sovereign God.

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”

When Christ was promising His indwelling Spirit, these are His recorded words in John 16 v 13, “However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.”

And in John 17 v 17, another Verity from Christ, “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.”

TSV family! As followers of Jesus Christ, we are to engage the culture following the leading of Holy Spirit and to speak the Verity of the Word of God, in love—not adding to it or subtracting it from it; neither should it be done in fear, as 2 Timothy 1 v 7 tells us, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”

Only Holy Spirit can lead humanity to Christ. Only Christ can save our triune beings. So our job is to point the world and its culture to the Cross, where we all find healing, joy, peace, grace, and mercy. We do this in words and, more importantly, in action.

While sending out His disciples, Jesus Christ, our risen Lord and Savior, gave them this charge, which is true to this day for His followers: “Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.” ~ Matthew 10 v 16,

All His blessings!

If you are reading this but don’t have a relationship with Jesus Christ and feel led to accept Him as your Lord and Savior, we invite you to do so, today.

Listen Now!

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