Counterculture

“Therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.

For by the grace given to me, I tell everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he should think. Instead, think sensibly, as God has distributed a measure of faith to each one. Now as we have many parts in one body, and all the parts do not have the same function, in the same way we who are many are one body in Christ and individually members of one another. According to the grace given to us, we have different gifts:

If prophecy, use it according to the standard of one’s faith;
if service, in service; if teaching, in teaching;
if exhorting, in exhortation; giving, with generosity; leading, with diligence; showing mercy, with cheerfulness.” 
- Romans 12:1-8 HCSB

As many of us will remember, last year the Grammy’s had some performances that seemed to unashamedly pay homage to the enemy, the ruler of this dark world… and much of the world applauded.

And then, almost a week later, a revival broke out on the Asbury University campus. A Wednesday chapel service never ended… students confessing Jesus, getting saved, renewing their faith. All with little to no fanfare. 

Further evidence of the countercultural nature of the Christian faith. 

Counterculture: a subculture whose values and norms of behavior differ substantially from those of mainstream society, often in opposition to mainstream cultural mores. 

In a society and culture moving further and further from the values in which it was founded, how then should we live?

A Countercultural Standard For Living:

• Present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God.

• Do not conform to what the world/age says is ok.

• Be transformed by the renewing of your mind so you can discern God’s perfect will.

• Do not think of yourself more highly than you should

• Think sensibly

• Be a functional part of the body of Christ

How, then, will you live?

For Christianity is naturally countercultural.

What, then, will you follow? 

Mainstream society and the direction it’s world is pulling and leading? 

Or the counter... a world led by Biblical values, with decisions and choices made through prayer and supplication?

As for me and my house...

Keep the Faith... Carpe Diem