There are so many things that seek to distract us from the mission Christ has called us to but we remain focused. There are some battles that must be fought (e.g. 1 Timothy 6:12) and others are not worthy of our sweat (e.g. Luke 12:4) - those are just sent to distract from an eternal focus. However, not all people who bring distractions intend evil, they might just need to be shown God's viewpoint.
The Apostle Paul wrote: ''Brothers, my heart’s deepest desire and my prayer to God for Isra’el is for their salvation; for I can testify to their zeal for God. But it is not based on correct understanding; for, since they are unaware of God’s way of making people righteous and instead seek to set up their own, they have not submitted themselves to God’s way of making people righteous.
For the goal at which the Torah aims is the Messiah, who offers righteousness to everyone who trusts.'' Romans 10:1-4 CJB
This world has its own system. By this world, I mean every single family, community, group, or people; each has its own social structure and systems - its own culture and ideology.
Irrespective of which part we grew up in, work in, or are assigned to by God, we will encounter systems put in place by humans in recent or ancient times. These principles and practices are often enshrined in the very subconscious, controlling thought patterns and thereby dictating everyday decisions and actions. With time, they form (or have formed) the infrastructure - i.e. the very foundations of that society - even if they are wrong.
I study Biblical Hebrew. I study it to understand the original language of the writers of the Old Testament Bible, i.e. the Tanakh. But beyond the language, understanding the ideology and thought patterns around that culture (and language) helps me better place the scenes described and the choice of words used so I can 'get' what YHWH was addressing when he spoke. My goal, therefore, is not to copy their regional human culture but to understand the culture God was addressing. In other words, the goal is not cultural assimilation but YHWH assimilation.
According to the Bible, the only pure and undefiled culture is that whose very foundations are (and continue to be) the words, past and present guidance, and governance of YHWH. This culture is the one Jesus came to establish. It is the culture of his Kingdom. His followers are being trained daily by his Holy Spirit in those words (past and current) to birth this culture {of YHWH}. If there had been any city or place that had completely imbibed YHWH's way in this present world, there would not be a need to bring about a new Jerusalem, a new heaven or Earth as promised in Isaiah 65: 17 -18:
“See, I will create
new heavens and a new earth.
The former things will not be remembered,
nor will they come to mind.
But be glad and rejoice forever
in what I will create,
for I will create Jerusalem to be a delight
and its people a joy.''
The whole plan of God leads to a civilization ruled by his principles. The beauty of this new system promised is that it is not just based on the ability of its Human citizens to adapt themselves to a new ideology but on the power of God's holy Spirit to transform their willing hearts. In His culture, while our cooperation is requested, YHWH takes responsibility.
“ I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.” Ezekiel 36:26-27
This civilization is already born spiritually in the hearts of all of us who accept Jesus: the saviour YHWH sent to 'baptize.. with the Holy Spirit and fire.'[Luke 3:16]
With God's Spirit and principles in our hearts, we evaluate the systems and cultures we were born in and those around us. We choose (or pick up), and continue with the ones that align with the ways and culture of our kingdom in Christ and do away with all the ones that do not conform to His plan and purpose for us.
''And do not be conformed to this world [any longer with its superficial values and customs], but be transformed and progressively changed [as you mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind [focusing on godly values and ethical attitudes], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His plan and purpose for you].'' Romans 12:2 AMP
This process of 'renewing our minds' does not just apply to renewing our minds from a 'Western' way of thinking, but even from the ethnic, non-Western cultures (that we sometimes revere) into the culture of Christ - who himself is YHWH in flesh. God is not of this world and neither is his culture nor are his children. For us, right and wrong are no longer deciphered by questioning 'Is it conforming to earthly customs, traditions, or public opinions?' but rather, 'Is it according to God's word as ratified by Jesus the Messiah?'. This mind renewal is a life-long process and our willingness is all that is required since we who believe are already spiritually complete in Him. As Paul warned,therefore,
''Be sure you are not led away by the teaching of those who have nothing worth saying and only plan to deceive you. That teaching is not from Christ. It is only human tradition and comes from the powers that influence this world. I say this because all of God lives in Christ fully, even in his life on earth. And because you belong to Christ you are complete, having everything you need. Christ is ruler over every other power and authority.'' Colossians 2:8-10 ERV
Verse8 once more in the NIV,
''See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.''
The heart of every believer is new, but our thinking is renewed as we expose ourselves to Jesus' Kingdom teaching. Our challenge continues to be to keep hold of this new Holy and undefiled culture written in our hearts while still living among earthly cultures (Western and otherwise) influenced by the dark spiritual forces of this world.
However, since we are ALL on this mind renewal journey, may we never forget to extend grace to one another as fellow pilgrims and under-shepherds of God's Chosen People. In Jesus name, Amen.
''as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.
So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless, and at peace with him.'' 2 Peter 3:12-14
''But Jesus said to them, “You people are from here below, but I am from above. You belong to this world, but I don’t belong to this world.”John 8:23 ERV
''Now this is our boast: Our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in our relations with you, with integrity and godly sincerity. We have done so, relying not on worldly wisdom but on God’s grace.'' 2 Corinthians 1:12
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