What is wrong with our culture today?
So, lately I've caught myself in conversations with my friends and people talking about different things like them partying, who they're sleeping with, or just whatever they're doing. The thing is, most of them claim to be Christians but it makes me wonder, what do they honestly know about Jesus? Have they really let him in and let him takeover their lives? I've been reading a book called "Jesus + Nothing = Everything" and man have my eyes been opened. This book talks about how we live in an era today where people are claiming to be Christians but its without Christ. Our world has become so accepting of things that the bible doesn't accept. Its like truth doesn't matter any more. We are all about being comfortable and not wanting to cause conflict or offend anyone when really we need to be working to preach THE GOSPEL. We don't need to be accepting a Christless Christianity.
I believe the churches need more truth and less comfort.The bible is supposed be a road map for us, to get us closer to God and to help us know more about him. If we're not preaching everything that's in it then how are people supposed to be provoked to respond? You know sometimes we need tough love, not just to hear a certain few verses all the time. If it was put into that book, it was meant for us to hear and to share.
We fill our souls with so much crap that doesn't get us anywhere in life, we fill it with things like sex, money, greed, alcohol, jealousy, and many more things I could go on and on about. A C.S Lewis quote that really puts an emphasis on this is "We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased." So much truth is in that and I especially admire the last sentence. You guys, we are offered an eternity spent with our creator in Heaven, a life with meaning and purpose, which will actually get you to a destination. What will sleeping with your boyfriend get you? Or going to the bar that night? Just a few moments of self satisfaction when you have a lifetime of greatness at your fingertips. Being a follower of Jesus isn't about being "happy" its about realizing that he separated that barrier between us and God. He took away the sin, washed us white as snow, but we still seek other things to save us. We need to realize every moment of our lives that we are already saved, Jesus did the hard part and we got off easy. Why do we even desire settling for less?
The reason is we believe what satan is offering, what the culture is offering. It wants us to "find ourselves", "be you", "pursue happiness", "follow your heart." These are lies we go after when really we need to be after, "finding Jesus", "Be like Jesus", "Pursue God", "Follow Jesus". I keep going back to our culture wanting comfort because that's how it is nowadays. Why not step out of our comfort zones and go after meaningful things? Why not help eachother pursue God and the real truth?
The past two years I have really learned a lot about who I am in Christ, who He is, and what He has done for me. He saved me, died for me, took away my sins when I deserved to be on the cross (and still do.) I don't want you to think that I see myself as a perfect person or someone who is always truly pursuing Christ or always doing the right thing. The truth is, I mess up and go through stuff like any one else in this world. Sometimes I may believe the lies this world puts out. Im weak, but I can be weak because I know Jesus is strong for me. That's the thing, I do believe when we fall more in love with Jesus we begin to see things in a different perspective. Like the hard stuff we face is really an obstacle that will make growth happen. Sometimes I do feel like im distant from God, but I know that's my issue and something I caused, not Him. Hes always near even when I feel like He isn't.
Theres many more things id like to talk about but I just really want to put an emphasis on this, don't believe the lies of this world and don't pursue comfort. Trust God and put him first. Believe the Gospel and fall in love with Jesus because He has honestly made my life worth living. Even on the days I feel like I want to give up I know that deep down I don't want that. Follow Jesus, not your heart because your heart is very deceiving and our feelings change like crazy. Lets be all in with Jesus!! Whos with me?
I recommend you check out the book "Jesus +Nothing=Everything." Its a true eye opener.
