I often talk about and think and critique the non Christian worldview and the terrible lack of recognition of what it even means to live like a Christian. But, as of late, I am fearing that the problem goes much further than I realize. Its fairly easy to draw a line in the sand and say one side is of those who are part of the church and the other side is those who are not. And practically speaking, this is correct. But there are so many nuances to this that a simple black and white is really not practical.
I am beginning to realize just how influenced we are by the modern mentality and how far we are from the historic faith. Most of this is centered on the concept and importance of self. Stepping back and looking at our lives objectively, we should come to the realization that most of what we do is centered on making ourselves comfortable and safe. But is this right?
Is it right to expend the high majority of our time, energy and money on ourselves? When we read through the lives of the saints, over the past 2000 years, this is not what we see. We see people giving away everything they own, to take care of the needs of others. There is so much need and yet we focus on our own comfort and physical well being. Where does faith fit into this?
When we read through the Scriptures, we see, over and over, that if we do not do to the least of these, we do not do it unto God. In other words, we express our love and faith for God by loving our neighbor. Nowhere do we read about the importance of building a comfortable home and a fat retirement cushion.
Honestly, I am so influenced by and immersed in 21st century American culture that I do not even know where to begin or if my thoughts are even realistic or accurate.
But I have to ask the questions.
I am beginning to realize just how influenced we are by the modern mentality and how far we are from the historic faith. Most of this is centered on the concept and importance of self. Stepping back and looking at our lives objectively, we should come to the realization that most of what we do is centered on making ourselves comfortable and safe. But is this right?
Is it right to expend the high majority of our time, energy and money on ourselves? When we read through the lives of the saints, over the past 2000 years, this is not what we see. We see people giving away everything they own, to take care of the needs of others. There is so much need and yet we focus on our own comfort and physical well being. Where does faith fit into this?
When we read through the Scriptures, we see, over and over, that if we do not do to the least of these, we do not do it unto God. In other words, we express our love and faith for God by loving our neighbor. Nowhere do we read about the importance of building a comfortable home and a fat retirement cushion.
Honestly, I am so influenced by and immersed in 21st century American culture that I do not even know where to begin or if my thoughts are even realistic or accurate.
But I have to ask the questions.
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