Culture and Church (Step by Step)

We have been talking about how we can make a difference and change the climate or culture in our communities. I have been encouraged by this study and have found myself being drawn to really make this happen. We have to realize that this is not a one time push or a week long battle but it is about living your whole life prepared to permeate the culture, in other words it is little by little, step by step.

The reason I began thinking about this concept was that the Lord took me to Joshua Chapter 18 yesterday. As I read that chapter I was amazed. When I think about the Promised Land that the Lord gave to the Children of Israel I think about how they went into the Land and the Lord caused the hearts of the men of those nations to be afraid. Josh 5:11 Now when all the Amorite kings west of the Jordan and all the Canaanite kings along the coast heard how the LORD had dried up the Jordan before the Israelites until we had crossed over, their hearts melted and they no longer had the courage to face the Israelites. (NIV) The hearts melted because of a supernatural event (more on that in another post).

I always assumed that this was a one-time deal, or at the very least it was an on-going deal that the land was theirs and that they took over after Jericho. Shows you how much I don't know. Anyhow in Chapter 18 I read this yesterday:

Josh 18:1-41 The whole assembly of the Israelites gathered at Shiloh and set up the Tent of Meeting there. The country was brought under their control,2 but there were still seven Israelite tribes who had not yet received their inheritance.3 So Joshua said to the Israelites: "How long will you wait before you begin to take possession of the land that the LORD, the God of your fathers, has given you?4 Appoint three men from each tribe. I will send them out to make a survey of the land and to write a description of it, according to the inheritance of each. Then they will return to me.(NIV)

This passage intrigued me because these seven tribes had not taken possesion of the land that was allotted them. The significant thing that I thought about was that in taking the promised land this was not just a sweeping campaign, but rather a daily, step by step living out their life in order to take control of the Land that the Lord gave them. According to this scripture some did it faster than others, some needed more instruction, some were afraid and others needed more land. You can read chapter17 and 18 and you will see that. Joshua is a picture of how the church ought to permeate the land, little by little, step by step. Until Later.

~SO~

Culture and Church (Honesty)

We have been discussing ways in which we can infiltrate and influence the culture we live in. As i studied i became fascinated with the idea of influencing our communities by the way we live our lives. I think that you could say that God is developing a passion within me to bring change. Another way to bring about change is honesty.

Webster defines honesty as fair and truthful, and being free from deceit. Basically, that describes a person who will not lie, cheat or steal. This includes manipulation or misleading statements with the intent to deceive. Honesty is not just truth but truthfulness, which includes the intent of that truth. That is why Webster says honesty is genuine, frank and open; open meaning transparent.

Honesty is the core value of character, that is why it is multifaceted. Honesty deals with motives and intents, it is the voice inside us that suggests a truth before we lie. Honesty is probably greatest of all human values. If we want to make a difference in our communities then we will be living our lives with honesty.

In order to permeate society, and to build an honest culture and community it must start at home. We must teach our children to be honest and to respect the law and authority. They must see and experience the value of honesty for themselves and they will carry it into our communities.

One of the things that I see in many Christian is there lack of respect for authority. If we say that we are Christian and that we are honest then we should have a respect for authority. If we want to make a difference, then this area of our lives will come into play as well. Honesty can and is not a sometimes attribute but rather a way of life. We must be honest in every situation and in every area of our lives.

Decide today that you are going to live a life of honesty. In there is a promise for those who are honest: Deut 25:1515 You must have accurate and honest weights and measures, so that you may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you.(NIV) Isn't that a great promise if your dealings are honest then you will live long in the land. Now i do not know what long meant here but the ring that i hear coming through is that it will be worthwhile if you are honest. The Command is have accurate weights and measures (which means that your life must be lived in honesty) and then you will live long in the land. Sounds like a great promise to me. Lets live it out. Until Later.

~SO~

Culture and Church (Giving)

We have been talking about (or at least I have) transforming our culture. It is important to remember that what we are talking about is living out our faith in order to transform our culture and communities. It is about taking an active role in God's work among us. It is not just sitting back but rather it is about being aggressive in bringing about change, there is another way that we can bring about transformation, giving.

Just like worship, giving sends a clear message that God is our source and we rely on Him for everything. Just today I was having a conversation with a friend and we were talking about what drives the American economy. In our discussion (we have all the answers by the way) we decided that construction drives the American economy. When people are building new houses then things are good and everybody has something to do. But when building slacks off then down goes the economy and everyone begins to get worried. So why do we get worried of God is the source and not the gross national profit?

Our economy is not God's. We need to remember that. Think about how we align ourselves with God when we are giving. He is a giving God. After all He gave His Son as a sacrifice for us. He gave us life when we deserved death, He gave us a soul and breathed life into us. Wow! What an awesome God we serve.

Giving also tests the sincerity of our love. 2 Cor 8:7-8 says "But just as you excel in everything-- in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in your love for us-- see that you also excel in this grace of giving. I am not commanding you, but I want to test the sincerity of your love by comparing it with the earnestness of others."(NIV) Those two verses really put it into perspective don't they. Excel in everything, even in giving. Paul expected the church to infiltrate society with excellence even in the area of giving. Most of the time we want to give our second best, or our used stuff or even ten percent of we have enough left over at the end of the week. We are however called to excellence. At the end of chapter 8 Paul's says 2 Cor 8:24 Therefore show these men the proof of your love and the reason for our pride in you, so that the churches can see it. (NIV) He wanted the churches to see how they gave in excellence. Giving permeates the culture and Paul wanted people to see how these people gave, why? So that the God who gave all good gifts would be glorified and the community and culture would be permeated with the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Until later.

~SO~