On the front sleeve of Yoram Hazony’s book “Conservatism”, we’re told that he shows in the book “that by identifying conservativism with ‘classical’ liberalism, conservatives embraced the very principles that led to their defeat”. He said “the survival of Western democracy requires a revival of the centuries-old legal, religious, and cultural traditions that made Britain and America models of national freedom for the entire world.”
The same principle can used for describing Christianity today. If we say we’re Christians, then we must embrace the very principles that are in the Bible. If we want to see the survival of historical Christianity, then we need a revival of our hearts. When Christianity embraces the same principles as the non-Christian world, Christianity will face defeat. Perhaps not total defeat, for there will always be a remnant of faithful followers of Christ. But defeat, nonetheless, as it relates to being light in a dark world. Individual souls will face defeat when faced with God’s judgment.
When we identify Christianity as synonymous with today’s culture, something is wrong. It just doesn’t work. Christians should be identified by how they are not like the culture. Oh. Perhaps not in every way or in everything. But when it comes to the cultural lies that we all face, we know what we’re talking about without actually saying it. When Christians buy into the fact that they can live their lives the same as their unbelieving friends and still call themselves Christians, who are they really fooling?
Basic truth I wish every Christian realized: Silence in exchange for cultural respect is a deal with the devil.
Natasha Crain
The Greek empire was split into four kingdoms after the death of Alexander the Great. One of the four major players was a man named Antiochus Epiphanes, who was one tough cookie. He was out for blood. In particular, he was out for the blood of the Jews. He had conquered all the countries that surrounded Israel, and he had his sight set on Israel. His goal was to make himself the god they worshipped and bowed to. The problem was that they feared God more than they feared this man, so they didn’t follow his lead. And he made them pay for their disobedience.
But there were others in the Jewish community who were in awe of the Greek culture and lifestyle. It was attractive, less restrictive and made fewer moral demands on them. It was an easier lifestyle. It seemed. They could throw caution to the wind and indulge their whims and desires. It felt as if they were finally free. So they indulged themselves in this newfound freedom. They gave up their faith for a lesser known religion of self-indulgence. They abandoned God and regarded man as their authority.
Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. Romans 12:2
The same scenario is playing out before our eyes today. People call themselves Christians, yet they’ve abandoned God. They stand for nothing vaguely similar to Christianity. Their knowledge of the Bible is limited, and their church attendance is nonexistent. Yet they say they’re Christians.
Oh. This is a controversial topic. Calling yourself a Christian without fully knowing what being a Christian is all about. It’s an easy label to slap on your sleeve. And then change nothing else in your life. When someone says they’re a Christian but still follow unchristian ways, are they really a Christian? Are they a born again Christian? It’s not my place to say. I’m not the Holy God, the Judge of the ages. But the definition of a Christian is one who has repented of their sins and is committed to following Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. They’ve died to their own desires and live totally surrendered to God.
My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20
Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. Romans 8:12-14
We have to make a conscious choice not to make evil good. We must live biblically when we call ourselves Christians. Otherwise, what are we? When we become a Christian, we are, in essence, taking up the cross of Christ. We are wearing the blood stripes on our back. We have nail prints on our hands. Our side has been cut open and bodily fluids have been drained. We have died to ourselves. So there must be a change in us. We can no longer bow to the whims of soft Christianity. There is a price we pay to be an authentic Christian.
If you have not chosen the Kingdom of God first, it will in the end make no difference what you have chosen instead.
William Law
In Leviticus 10:10, Moses instructed the priests and the general population how to be set apart for God. He said they must know what is holy and what is common. They must be able to distinguish right from wrong. The same goes for Christians today. We must be set apart in our actions and responses to a culture that ignores God.
Throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy. Ephesians 4:22-24
You are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light. 1 Peter 2:9