Make a Difference This Summer
Three ways you can help Superbook share the Gospel with more children
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.
(Romans 12:2, NIV)
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
In a culture that often pushes against biblical values, I often wonder how Christians can live faithfully as the people of God?
The pressure to conform and be like everyone else can creep in slowly until we are unrecognisable to the biblical standards set out in scripture.
I believe the clue to standing out without backing down is in today’s title scripture – by not conforming to the pattern of our modern world.
So, what are the patterns of the modern world that push against biblical principles?
‘I have not spoken in secret, from somewhere in a land of darkness; I have not said to Jacob’s descendants, ‘Seek me in vain.’ I, the Lord, speak the truth; I declare what is right.’
(Isaiah 45:19, NIV)
Phrases such as ‘that is my truth’ have become commonplace in modern western culture today. The concept of there being an absolute truth that one must adhere to is becoming increasingly unpopular as individuals strive towards autonomy and individualism at all costs.
Whilst developing your own personal values and beliefs is critical for ownership and a sense of personal freedom, the idea that biblical values and beliefs remove that freedom is a very deceptive lie.
Take a toddler for example.
If you present the toddler with a room to explore and that room includes a fire, knives and a steep drop at one end, imagine not putting boundaries around the dangers that those three hazards provide! That would be considered utter negligence, and the carer of the toddler would be in great trouble for not providing suitable parameters to protect the child.
I believe that this is what the truth of the Bible does for humanity.
It does not stifle freedom, rather, it protects and provides guidelines that help keep the believer safe in this dark world.
For example, if you were to enter into a marriage relationship without the boundary of not committing adultery (Exodus 20:14), you would make yourself vulnerable to heartbreak and deep emotional pain. The covenant of fidelity (based on the truth that marriage is best between a man and a woman in a loyal, loving, faithful relationship) protects the individuals in covenant from pain.
Making our own rules for love and relationships, for example, has only ever gotten humanity into greater sin and painful situationships, the absolute truth rescues us from the pain of choosing moral relativism.
‘For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.’
(1 Timothy 6:10, NIV)
The modern tendency of today is to think that success is measured by income, status, possessions and personal achievement.
You become a person of note and value when you achieve and obtain.
The biblical view counters this directly by emphasising that spiritual priorities should come before material gain, and that your value is found in your sonship or daughtership before you ever do anything.
It also encourages that true fulfilment comes from relationship with Jesus, not material wealth and gain.
So often, people who have entered a stage of life that could be described as ‘spiritually searching’ come to such a place after they have discovered that money, fame and even human relationships do not satisfy the longing in their souls for more.
We try to fill the void that craves with ‘stuff’ but, ultimately, the craving resurfaces and we find ourselves either without and in pain or with an abundance of possessions and still a lack of peace.
Where culture would encourage economic wealth, scripture tells us that the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil.
As followers of Jesus, let’s be more concerned with giving than getting and more preoccupied with generosity than selfish gain.
With the rise of social media platforms such as TikTok, Instagram and YouTube, everyone can have their own platform in the world.
The language of followers, shares and likes have become so important and ‘going viral’ is the esteemed goal of many influencers online.
Seeking glory for oneself is often the antidote to feeling small and insignificant without a platform.
But glory is a heavy burden to bear. Ask anyone with significant fame and I’m sure that they would tell you that being famous and known and admired by everyone is not all it’s cracked up to be.
There is a reason why glory is too heavy for us to bear as humans – we were never designed to be the one in the spotlight.
The Bible encourages us in several places to value humility over self-promotion and glory-seeking. This posture of heart enables God and God alone to lift you up to a position and place that your heart and life can handle.
If you ever find yourself tempted to self-promote, rest assured that it is entirely unnecessary as the Creator of the universe is more than able to give you the platform or recognition you need if it is appropriate for you.
When self-promotion, glory or puffing oneself up comes knocking, remember that it is a way of the world, not the kingdom and that God rewards those who diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6).
Even though worldly culture pushes against kingdom culture, we are not left alone or in the dark when it comes to living in the world but not becoming like the world.
Daily reading of scripture helps us to be transformed and renews our mind to think in heavenly, kingdom ways.
Immerse yourself in the Bible, follower of Jesus, and watch as He shapes your heart to align with His will and His ways which are far above and beyond anything we could ever imagine.
