Today, each and every person reading this is split into four divisions of culture.
- Those who knew nothing but a Christian society built upon biblical values. They had a hunger for the Word and knew what dependence upon God in a personal manner meant. They were taught to hold their head high and live courageously for God.
- Those who grew up under parents of generation number one. They were raised that way but knew of some who didn’t. They had a knowledge of the Bible, and went to church wether they wanted to or not. After adulthood they didn’t make church the same priority the previous generation did. They are of a 50/50 society of faithfulness and rebellion. They were taught to take a stand, but be cautious.
- Those who grew up under parents of the second generation. They knew right from wrong and mostly grew up in church, but God was removed from school while they were there. They have friends who haven’t heard the Gospel and barely went to church. Some of their parents didn’t belong to a church. Most of the society was in rebellion against God. They were taught not to offend the society around them.
- Those who are now growing up barely knowing what Church is or is for. Most everything about God and the Bible is unclear, if not completely a mystery to them. Tolerance is their ultimate virtue. If they turn to God, their support system is reduced to just their church family. Most church families are not family to them, just a service or a meeting time.
Our youth and younger are the primary recipients of the fourth culture. Today, churches have diluted themselves to mere centers of worship or endless activity. The Gospel hasn’t been articulated to the people in group four in a conscience way. By that, I mean it hasn’t been ‘explained’, and there are rarely opportunities to discuss it with questions and answers. Usually, it is left only to a pulpit ministry. The primary church experience they have known is one of sit and listen. In fact, three of those groups have known nearly only that. The results are staggering… for the most part, none can explain the redemptive plan. Nearly all of the surrounding society is in rebellion against God and faithfulness is mocked. We now have a multiple generational grouping that are taught to keep their head down.
The first and second generation represented in our reading today knew right from wrong. You knew when someone was contrary to what was morally absolute, because there were moral absolutes in society founded upon the Bible. But today we are living in an age where thinking and doing right is an abnormality. The prevailing spirit is now anti-christ. In other words, we are in the same society that the Apostles were living in. The same society that was increasingly hostile to believers. They were dealing with a pre-christian society—we with a post-christian society. We are living in a new society.
The scripture says we are a new creature, a new man, if you would. This comes from 2 Corinthians 5.17 and Colossians 3.10, which says— “And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:” Colossians 3 goes on to explain, in detail, the new man struggle in this new world.
Looking at verse 17— “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” The opposite is: lazy, manipulative, hypocritical, ungrateful, and complaining. This is not the way a new man should be acting. We should be able to do everything in the name of Jesus and not to cause Him shame in how we did it. We are to be different than the prevailing spirit of this world we’re immersed in.
There are 2 critical areas we are to be different than the prevailing spirit, one is private and one is public: Family and Work.
Our Families:
Verse 18 says: “Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.” The opposite is: submitting to other women’s man. Not respecting God-given responsibility to the husband to lead. Submission is not surrender, it’s completing your oneness. Your man needs your respect, and ought to return it back more! In fact, verse 19 continues with: “Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.” Love is NOT just a feeling, but is an action word. This is therefore not passive. The opposite is: domineering, selfish, bitter, chauvinistic spirit. That is the so-called love of this world. It is wrong and ungodly. The love mentioned in this verse is a self-sacrificing, honoring love, who cherishes and respects their wife. Your wife needs your security. Verse 20 continues to explain this new man’s family with: “Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.” Now this is not what we see today , at all! It is an anomaly to see a child respect, much less obey their parents. We make every excuse possible for them. Sad. The opposite of obeisance is: disobedient, disrespectful kids. Arguing with their mom and dad, making fun of their grandparents and elderly in general, is not the family of the new man. Instead, it is the spirit of this age we live in, which also is in rebellion against God. This is most displeasing to God, in fact Exodus says it can cause your life to be cut short. Finally, the family dynamic of the new man is hinged on family kindness and tenderness. This is explained in verse 21: “Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.” Our world is full of hate, spite, vengeance, and hard speech. People are not only in lack of encouragement, but are raising their children to be hard and cold to others. The opposite of verse 21 is: provoking them to love, encouraging them, and love on them lavishly. They need a confident sense of security in you and with you. You are their first picture of a loving, gracious, listening, Heavenly Father. The family is a team. It’s either a winning team or a losing team but it is still a team. Our family should represent the newness in us. A new man with a new family!
Our Work:
Verse 22 says: “Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eye service, as men pleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God;” You are a servant to someone. Respect the fact that God gave you that position, and whomever is over you, that is who God appointed. Respect that at all times. We don’t just look busy when they are looking, but we cultivate a strong work ethic. I want to focus on this phrase “singleness of heart”… put your heart into it! A fire in the belly is what is lacking in society in general, and specifically in the heart of believers. I love my wife and my kids, but when I am at work I need to be at work! When I am at home, I need to be at home! Singleness of heart. We will not only be rewarded in heaven, and at work by following this commandment, we will be a lightning rod for respect. People will ask you for advice and seek you for friendship. Use that opportunity for the Lord. In fact, there is a new way a new man does everything: “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;” (23). Every action you take, in whatever environment you are in, do it for the Lord. Question: If you were working for God, would you do it halfheartedly? Would you give God second best and left overs? I hope not. We do work for God, we represent Him every day, all day. Do everything with all you got, for the Lord.
It is more than just our testimony at stake; everything you have in life is given by God and we are responsible for it. This is why verse 24 and 25 says: “Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.” We are going to see Him face to face the second we leave this life, as 2 Corinthians 5.10 states. Regardless of our parents, kids, job, or boss… we all have the same judgement by the same judge, based upon these same timeless truth’s (Bible).
Friends, we are in a ‘christian’ society no more. The old is gone and the present one is running around with it’s hair on fire. The old man ought to die with it. They need the Gospel, Salt, and Light. God help us, because it seems our message is diluted; our salt barely has taste; and our light is dim. All because we have not impacted the society around us, instead it has obliterated our distinctiveness. Society is watching the life of believers and seeing no difference in their family and ours, no difference in our work habits and theirs, no notable difference.
We represent Jesus 24/7. if my credibility is in question, then I put His credibility in question. I do not want to bring Him any shame. Instead I want Him to be glorified in my family, my job, and in all of the life He has given me.
Our new society desperately needs to see the difference in us, the Jesus in us. Can the world around us see Jesus in us? A new man in a new world.