Contemplating the Culture of 2017

 

For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding; he stores up sound wisdom for the upright; he is a shield to those who walk in integrity. Proverbs 2:6-7

 

Do you think that Christians are becoming more desensitized to our culture?  Do we say that God’s Word is important but not necessarily the final authority regarding our culture?

The temptation for many Christians is to have what the world has, to listen to what the world says. It is vital for us to know and understand the culture we live in. We need to be aware of what our children see and want. Do we consider how the decisions we make or the things we possess effect their understanding of God and His Word?

What’s “hot” for 2017 includes video games that center on violence, sexuality, and breaking the laws of men, dolls that distort the image of beauty, and movies and music that enhance the worldly values of sex, money, and attractiveness rather than godly virtues.

Many Christians have bought it all.

2 Peter 2 talks about the false teachers who will, with sensuality and greed, come among the believers and secretly introduce destructive heresies.

Peter says that, “Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute.  In their greed these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up.” 2 Peter 2:2-3.

False teachers show up among us. In the church we are told we are free to engage in the culture so we are relevant. From social media and TV, we are subjected to advertisers who do not know, or want to know, what the Word of God says. Even in our families, we are challenged not to be so “radical” as to live according to God’s Word.

We do not have to believe them. 2 Peter 2:9 says, “Then the Lord knows how to rescue godly men from temptation and to hold the unrighteous for the Day of Judgment.” Clearly, God can be our strength to stand firm in the face of these heresies. And, He will not allow the guilty to go unpunished.

Peter wrote this letter to remind us of what we have heard and know about Jesus Christ, to keep us close to Him and remembering His majesty and His judgment of sin.  He also wants to remind us that God will spare the righteous from judgment.

As we look to how we will live in 2017, will we be lured into destructive heresies that will lead us away from God rather than closer to Him? Will we listen to the world more than the Word(s) of God?

The Bible is an important book, but it is false teaching to think that is all it is. God teaches that it is His inerrant Word, good for teaching, reproof, and training in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

Will we follow the shameful ways of false prophets in 2017 and head straight for the judgment of God? Or will we live by the righteous Word of God and be rescued?