Pondering this morning, and boy it has taken a lot out of me. Doesn't seem like the "ponders" or the "ruminations" come as easy as they use too. But I managed to stay on course and not be distracted by butterfly's or the neighbor's mowing their lawn.
Been thinking a lot about how the world has unspoken rules and ways of doing things that most folks don't even consider much less think about it. Culture and society shovel out daily messages that direct you on how you are to live and what you are to think. People seem to happily take in like little birds being fed by momma bird.
Usually the cultural belief system runs counter to the Kingdom rule of God. One of my most favorite sections of verses is found in Mathew 5:21-48. I usually refer to this section as "You have heard". Jesus is speaking truth about how the culture of the day creates its own truth, He counters this with God's truth. He starts with "You Have Heard".....and then counters with "But I Say To You". I think maybe we have way to much "You Have Heard" and not enough of what Jesus has to say.
Somewhere along the way, our culture has tried to marry these two concepts together, with a self centered thought that "Sure, listen to what the Bible says"...but remember that you have to live in this world, so decide for yourself. Sorry Charlie! It doesn't work that way.
Culture presses hard to water down the gospel. Society sets standards that run contrary to the heart of God, then those who seek God are ridiculed and chastised for being out of touch with life now. If you don't know what you truly believe.....you'll follow the crowd. If you aren't grounded in Christ, you'll be swept away by the tide of public opinion.
Culture is constantly changing (unfortunately in this day and time, the change isn't always for the better)
Jesus never changes. His message doesn't change. His heart is steadfast. His promises are yes and amen. For that I am grateful. Why doesn't His message change? Because even though culture changes, the dark hearts of people do not. Technology is advancing, the heart of man isn't. We have more toys than those who lived when Jesus walked this earth in the form of man, but the dark heart of people still beats within. A heart that demands its own way. A heart that rejects God because it has fallen prey to the lie that "We Are Like God!" (See Genesis 3:5) If I am like God, then I have no use for God.
Saturday night, I hope to continue this teaching by taking a look at some men who refused to allow the world to change them. The teaching will be posted here on this blog shortly after our meeting closes. It will also be posted on ReCovery Church Facebook page, as well as my personal Facebook page.
Until next time...God on You!
mbb
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