Cultural Christianity

 Cultural Christianity is just too good to be true.  Literally.  It has been described as “all of the good news of the Bible without any of the bad news.”  While it would be nice to accept the portions of Scripture that we like and reject those that we don’t, it simply doesn’t work that way.  Moses told the Israelites that he had put before them both blessings and curses, blessings if they obeyed the commandments and curses if they didn’t (Deuteronomy 11:26-28).  Peter learned the hard way that God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble (1 Peter 5:5-6). The Bible is full of blessings for those who love the Lord and strive to live in obedience. But it also has stark warnings for those who don’t.  Below are three Biblical truths that are somewhat inconsistent with cultural Christianity:

GOD GIVES US CHOICES.  John 3:16 tells us the good news:

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

  But three verses later it gives the bad news:

“And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and the men loved the darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.” (John 3:19)

 The good news is that God has a plan for each of us, to prosper and not to harm us, giving us a future and a hope.  The bad news is the world, the flesh, and the devil have a very different plan to kill, steal, and destroy.  We have the choice which to follow.

OUR CHOICES HAVE CONSEQUENCES.  The book of Romans was the Apostle Paul’s longest, most eloquent letter.  In it he presented a beautiful picture of God’s righteousness, and of His love and forgiveness. He described the freedom available to us in Christ through what we commonly describe as the “Romans Road.”  But He also warned in chapter 1:

“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness (vs 18); because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but their foolish hearts were darkened. (vs 21).”

 Because they chose poorly, God:

 “Gave them up to uncleanness” (vs. 24)

“Gave them up to vile passions” (vs. 26)

“Gave them over to a debased mind” (vs. 28)

 Contrary to popular thought and what we might wish were true, God is never mocked, we reap what we sow.  If we sow to the flesh we will reap destruction.  If we sow to the Spirit we will reap eternal life.

GOD TREATS US AS CHILDREN.  The writer of Hebrews tells us:

“My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; for whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives.” (Hebrews 12:5-6)

 The Lord is truly a good, good Father, but there is in our day some confusion as to what exactly a good father is. Some would say a good father is a pal to his children, the proverbial “Disney dad.”  Some would say a good father provides for his children but realizes “kids will be kids,” allowing them to sow their wild oats, knowing they will grow up sooner or later.  Some view God as the kind, benevolent grandfather who can easily have the wool pulled over his eyes, and/or look the other way when his children do their own thing.

Biblical Truth is that if we are truly born-again believers and God really is our Heavenly Father that He will first rebuke us through the conviction of the Holy Spirit, He will then chasten our sinful behavior, followed by scourging, and even take us to an early grave if our hearts have been so hardened. If we are truly His children He will be actively involved in our lives either blessing our obedience or disciplining our disobedience; resisting our sinful pride or giving grace in our humble obedience.  There is no in between.  Hebrews 12:8 warns that if a person persists in sinful behavior yet without God’s discipline that he may be an unbeliever and God is not truly his Father.  A most chilling thought.

As a man after God’s own heart, King David took great comfort in the loving care of his Heavenly Father.  Though he sinned greatly and knew well the rebuke, chastening, and even scourging of the Lord, David always responded to the Father’s discipline with true, Godly sorrow. He repented of his sins and learned from his mistakes (Psalm 51).  He understood that God’s discipline, even when harsh, was a true expression of His love and the only way that the relationship broken by his sin could be restored.  A good, good Father is to be greatly respected and reverentially feared.

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” (Proverbs 9:10)