Philippians 3:18–21
[18] For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell
you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. [19] Their end is
destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with
minds set on earthly things. [20] But our citizenship is in heaven, and
from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, [21] who will transform our
lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to
subject all things to himself.
When we look at society and culture today, what do we see?
How is our culture influencing you? From sports, media, politics,
entertainment, music and social media we are receiving messages about who we
are, who God is, what is reality truth and what values we should have. It’s a
battle of worldviews.
Paul writes to the Philippians that some who once professed
to be believers are now enemies of the cross. That’s strong language! What
happened? Well they began to pursue their passions, their appetites, and seek
their own glory. Their affections were set on earthly and temporal things.
Dallas Willard wrote, “There
are only two values recognized in our culture as unquestionable: freedom and
happiness. Those are the nice words for it. That translates into impulse and
pleasure – doing what you want to, liberation from all restraints that you
don't agree to.”
The worldview of our society is impulse and pleasure. Focus
on the here and now. Feed your appetites, your addictions, and your desires.
Who needs boundaries, restraints or limitations? Everything is at your fingertips.
Think for a moment, what does our society teach you about
reality? What is really real?
What does it teach you about who we are? What is the nature
of humanity?
What values is it driving into your heart and mind?
What is the truth it propagating?
Every moment this world is pumping messages out to convince
you to abandon belief in God and pursue your impulses and pleasures.
But God is calling you to more than that. We have a citizenship
in heaven and a promise in Christ that He will transform our lowly bodies into
glorious bodies, like He has. As citizens of heaven, we ought to and need to
live differently from this world!
That means we need to listen to what God says about reality,
who we are, what His values are and the ultimate truth that He teaches. He has
given us His Word to guide our thoughts, our decisions and our views of this
world.
Jesus said:
“I am the way, and
the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me”
(John 14:6).
Do you believe that? Do you believe that Jesus is the way,
the truth and the life? That changes everything. Is God really the Creator? Is Jesus
your Savior? If you affirm these truths, then you need to align yourself with
what He says about reality and not what the world says.
1 John 2:15–17
[15] Do not love the
world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the
Father is not in him. [16] For all that is in the world—the desires of the
flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but
is from the world. [17] And the world is passing away along with its desires,
but whoever does the will of God abides forever.
Recognize the battle within. The old nature longs for the impulses
and pleasures of this world, without restraint, but the new nature desires to
do the will of God. Which nature will you listen to?
When you decide to follow Christ and to allow His Word to
shape your view of the world, He will answer the tough questions for you. He
will guide you into truth and freedom.
John 10:10 tells us that there is an enemy who is out to
kill, steal and destroy our faith, but Christ came to give us abundant life. He
desires for us to experience the deepest joy and our greatest good, but we can
only find that in following Him. John Piper said it this way, “God is most
glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.”
When we take Him at His Word and live according to His
commands, He will shape our lives and impact our culture through us.
“There can be little
doubt that if the teachings and example of Jesus were generally followed in a
given society, that society would be remarkably better off than any which
followed another way. The constant drumbeat of moral failure and incompetence
now heard from American institutions--from the universities and scientific or
artistic communities to business corporations, the Church and sports--simply
would not exist if Jesus were trusted and obeyed. There would be no sexual
harassment, no gutted savings and loans, no homelessness or gang violence in a
society that substantially accepted Christian principles of life. It is not the
Christian who loses when social prejudice goes against Christ, but the society
itself.” – Dallas Willard
There is no question, that when a Christian sincerely and
completely abandons this world and selfish desires, and lives dependent upon
the Holy Spirit, they will cause people to see how glorious God truly is.
Matthew 5:14–16
[14] “You are the
light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. [15] Nor do people
light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to
all in the house. [16] In the same way, let your light shine before others, so
that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in
heaven.
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