Stop Following a Culture That Doesn’t Follow God - Daily Hope with Rick Warren - January 14, 2023
As followers of Jesus, it's essential to distinguish between loving people and hating the world's value system. By understanding this distinction, Christians can break free from cultural pressures and align their lives with God's eternal will, leading to a transformative and fulfilling life.
Stop Following a Culture That Doesn’t Follow God By Rick Warren
“Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” Romans 12:2 (NLT)
There are two verses in the Bible that are written by the same author but seem to send opposite messages:
1 John 2:15 says, “Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them” (NIV). That’s pretty clear!
“The world” is used two ways in these verses. The first verse refers to the world’s value system, and the second refers to the world’s people. Followers of Jesus are to love people, no matter what choices they make. On the other hand, we are to hate the world’s value system, including things like status, selfishness, and sexual immorality.
The problem is that we often get it reversed. We love the value system and hate the people. Christians do this all the time. Instead of being different, we’re often just as materialistic and hedonistic as the culture we live in. But that’s backwards from how God calls us to live.
For the rest of your life, you’ll face great pressure to conform to the culture. This was Israel’s biggest problem for thousands of years. They wanted to be like other nations. Yet God gave them all kinds of moral, civil, and ceremonial laws to make them different on purpose.
God has done the same for you and me. We don’t live under Old Testament Law, but God has told us exactly how we should live and how to get the wisdom and power to stand out in this world: “Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect” (Romans 12:2 NLT).
One reason you may not know what God wants you to do in life is because you may be too assimilated to your culture. Often this happens without you realizing it. But you can’t think like the world and think like God thinks. You have to make a choice.
The problem with following culture is that it’s all temporary. You need to follow something that is eternal: God’s Word.
Fill your mind with God’s truth, and let it transform your life by changing what you love.
For more Daily Hope with Rick Warren, please visit pastorrick.com!
Your Gift Brings Hope to the World
Thank you for helping restore broken hearts with the hope of Jesus!
I am so grateful to be on mission with you! Your gift today is a bold statement that you want to be a light in this world and make an eternal impact for Jesus Christ.
As thanks for your gift, we’re excited to send you the "Hope Is Born: A Christmas Scripture Collection" Scripture cards. This set of 52 beautifully designed cards brings the joy of the season to life, each sharing a powerful verse celebrating the hope and wonder of Jesus’ birth.
Request yours below when you give, and thank you for going on mission to reach our world with the love of Jesus!
*The USA IRS code permits you to deduct the amount of your financial gift to Daily Hope that exceeds the fair market value of “current offer” materials you received from Daily Hope.
_638979300394061748.webp)
