jordanabina
Try this for an opening line to a book.
One of the greatest hindrances to internal peace that the Christian encounters is the common habit of dividing our lives into two areas – the sacred and the secular.
A.W. Tozer
Now this book isn’t a complete work by Tozer, instead, it’s a book put together by gathering all kinds of Tozer writings concerning a specific subject. In this case, the subject being culture. I originally bought this book to come alongside my Bible reading and sermon preparation that we had decided upon towards the end of 2019. I didn’t realize how much the culture would change since then.
The first book I ever read by A.W. Tozer was The Pursuit of God. I read it on a train ride from Grenoble, France to Paris. Little did I know Tozer wrote the entire book on a similar train ride himself. But after reading a few of his works, it doesn’t surprise me. Tozer is mad, but he isn’t happy either. He seems to have a righteous indignation for the state of things and an overall hunger to see the glory of God manifest here on earth as it is in heaven.
In this compilation of his works, Culture hits on many different topics about being a Christian in a fallen world, modifying the truth, and the battle between the spiritual and the secular. A particular subject I enjoyed was the danger of being the church that society either rejects or praises, both seem to have their dangers.
I finished this book with one thought lodged into my mind, if I am a Christian, what part of my life wouldn’t that change? Is there any part of my life that Jesus doesn’t say, mine? My thoughts and my internal person, those are assumed, but what about everything else? What I eat, what I do, and what I like to participate in?
Other questions I was left to consider were these: What does it mean if a person says they are a Christian but don’t spend time in worship and prayer? What does it mean if a person has confessed Christ but doesn’t have any transformation in their life? Is there a change in my life because of Jesus?
Listen to this quote from Tozer,
Here is what grieves me, and I believe this also grieves the Holy Spirit: my hearers rise to this call emotionally, but they will not confirm it by a corresponding change in their way of life.
A.W. Tozer
I would define the word culture as a way of life.
Has Jesus changed the way I live my life, who I am, and who I am trying to be? Tozer asks in this book if we have enough courage to follow Jesus with our way of life. Jesus was set apart and He gave others the chance to follow Him, but they would soon find out that Jesus wasn’t just coming into their life, but they were entering into His.
Our churches need Jesus.
Our homes need Jesus.
Our jobs need Jesus.
Our hobbies need Jesus.
Our entire self needs Jesus.
There is no middle ground with Him, it’s an all-in mentality.
I wonder if we will see that now? After this pandemic is over, if it ever really goes away, I wonder how the Christian community will respond. How will I respond, how have I already responded? What culture am I cultivating now that I have more “time” to spend with Jesus? What do I think the purpose of church is now that we aren’t meeting regularly?
As I look forward, I can see two different scenarios playing out. Amid a new level of global awareness, mistrust of government, and a deeper desire for relationships, the world is going to either set a new direction for our future or the church is.
If the world does, we will put ourselves in danger of walking from the truth of God’s word, from the pursuit of God’s Spirit, and lives of holiness. If the church doesn’t see the writing on the wall in this season and also communicate it, the world will never allow us to meet again. Not because they don’t want us to (at least they won’t say that), but because it is no longer deemed safe.
But if the church sets the direction, we will lay the groundwork for revival. People need help, Jesus knew this. People need love, Jesus knew this. People need hope, Jesus knew this. People need to know that there is more to this life than life and death, and Jesus knew this.
Jesus said that the church will be most visible when we show our love for one another.
All around the world, people are questioning their jobs.
All around the world, people are questioning their relationships.
All around the world, people are questioning their future.
All around the world, people are questioning their fears.
All around the world, people are questioning their culture.
And now, like a rose about to bloom the words of Jesus become like freshwater. His promises become clear. His commands become solidified.
Come to me, all who are weary and I will give you rest.
Why do you worry about what you will eat? God feeds the birds, won’t He feed you?
Go, make disciples, teach them all I have taught you.
Who is going to set the culture when this is over? I have no idea.
But I do know that it will start one person at a time. One person, maybe you, asking God to set the culture in your life. To erase the chasm between secular and spiritual and allow Jesus to be in every aspect of your life. Revival happens one yes to Jesus at a time.
It’s our time.
Forget everything else.
Who cares what they said.
Let’s bring Jesus out of the deep caverns of our hearts and onto the surface of our skin. Maybe then our Christianity will live, move, and have it’s being.
A generation that knows only what God said will be followed by a generation that doesn’t believe what God said.
A.W. Tozer
