Jesus taught us that being a follower would most certainly entail enduring persecution. As Christians we live according to a higher standard, that which is borne from a relationship with Jesus. It’s a calling unlike any other in the world and often sees us ostracized or dismissed.
For those of us men living in the West, our culture has rapidly turned away from the faith and towards worldly pleasures. Left behind in the dust is us guys, the weirdos who submit to Jesus. We live according to God’s will and trust that He will provide for us a strong and lasting marriage, active children, and strong spiritual convictions.
An important question arises when we begin to contemplate what it takes to be a Godly man: how are we supposed to be Christian when everybody else around us lives in a way that seems, at best, hostile towards us? There’s no easy answers to this question, but it’s certainly worth delving into. As men who have made a choice, to follow Jesus, we must also discern what we are called to do in His name.
There is perhaps no greater authority to turn to than God’s Word. The scriptures provide some insight into the world around us and its desire to satisfy the flesh:
“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.”
1 John 2:16 ESV
Sin is pervasive and all around us. Jesus knew this well when he was tempted in the desert for 40 days. He set the model for us when it comes to sin and how we can resist it.
1 Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.” 4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.”
Matthew 4:1-4 ESV
There it is! Straight from Jesus himself. We must turn to the Word of God when sin attempts to strangle us and lead us astray. When we depend upon ourselves — we fail! You are not strong enough to resist on your own so don’t try.
Countering the culture means recognizing its very nature and abstaining from partaking. Don’t misunderstand. While Jesus refused to partake in the sin that those around him were entrenched in, he also understood the value of engaging the culture. Jesus didn’t sit and eat with the Pharisees and Sadducees; he sat with the sinners.
In order to engage your culture you can’t shut yourself off from it. There is a fine balance to strike between hating sin, but not coming off as hating the sinner (which is unbiblical to do). We are called to judge righteously only, not as hypocrites or by appearances, and that ultimate judgment is reserved for God only. A huge part of engaging the culture is not condemning it, for what debate has ever been won through anger and resentment?
If we are to engage the culture around us as Jesus did with the culture around him, we must find a way to connect with the people within it and relate to them on a human level. Don’t condemn, belittle, judge, or dictate. Instead be patient, heartbroken for them, forgiving, and understanding.
Know that oftentimes, just like with you, others become ensnared in sin due to difficult circumstances. Have compassion for them and pray for them, for if you react instinctively with judgment you are only adding to their difficulties. Many well intentioned Christians only make the issue of sin worse.
Be assured that the burden of judging others does not rest on your shoulders! It is not your responsibility or your duty to condemn or judge, but it is your responsibility to be honest only to the extent that your honesty will be received. To what extent this person will receive your honesty entails a great deal of discernment. Study the scriptures to understand how you can apply honesty to your relationships.
Another facet of engaging your culture is forgiveness. Remember when Jesus said:
“For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you.”
Matthew 7:2 ESV
This is a perspective shift for us Christians who are particularly hateful of sin, but are unskilled in our confrontation of it. The answer is forgiveness.
”For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.“
Matthew 6:14-15 ESV
One of the greatest gifts we as Christians have been given is the forgiveness of our sins. Who are we to turn around with this gift we have received and not extend it to others? Do not act selfishly with this gift but be generous with it! The Lord will know the reason why.
Engaging the culture isn’t easy, and it may in fact be one of the more difficult things you will ever have to do. Take what you have read here and apply it to your personal lives. Better yet, discern the scriptures for God’s wisdom in this matter and all matters. Take forward what you have learned and become a better man because of it. Refrain from judging others and judge yourself instead.
When all else fails come before the Lord, on your knees, broken, and ready to ask forgiveness. You have a responsibility to protect your family from your culture as well as to engage those trapped within it. Remember that we are all God’s children designed with a purpose in mind. If you are to be a man following God’s path for you then you must step up and take on the responsibility of protection and provision where your culture is concerned.