I have always loved learning about different cultures. I went to film school hoping to one day travel the globe and make films about different groups in the world so that people could gain more knowledge and respect for cultures that may seem foreign to them. That didn’t happen. God instead had a plan where He would bring people from different cultures to me. Because of this, I have come to understand that in some cultures, traditional practices or cultural norms could go contrary to the Word of God. Consequently, I felt that I wanted to explore the topic of Christ versus culture more after a participant in one of my Bible studies asked this profound question - “When Christ conflicts with culture, which do we submit to?”
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2
And He said to them, “You are the ones who justify yourselves in the sight of people, but God knows your hearts; because that which is highly esteemed among people is detestable in the sight of God. Luke 16:15
We must be careful that we are not conformed to a culture which takes us away from God’s will. The fact is if we do not have a renewed mind that is the mind of Christ, then we will not be able to prove God’s will and therefore the things we do may displease Him. We can have the outward appearance of Christianity, going to church, involved in many ministries and have the ability to quote many verses in the Bible, yet still our mind and heart do not delight the Lord. We may have changed our club clothes for church clothes, but we lust after the things of the world, so we may say “God told us” a certain thing, but it may be our old man who speaks to us telling us to do things our way instead of God’s way.
Now, culture does not pertain to only a region or country, but we also create cultures in our neighborhoods, businesses, churches and even in our families. Remember when David brought back the Ark of God to Jerusalem? His wife Michal was definitely not happy with his robust celebrations in front of everyone. She felt it was not befitting of a king. Michal embraced the royal culture which she came from and her pride, like her father’s, would not allow her to demean herself to celebrate a God who is more than worthy of our undignified worship. Interestingly, Michal was also the only barren wife of David. Her family culture may have become her curse as she did not leave behind her idea of self-importance to cleave to David’s God centered life.
Then it happened, as the ark of the Lord was coming into the city of David, that Michal the daughter of Saul looked down through the window and saw King David leaping and dancing before the Lord; and she was contemptuous of him in her heart…But when David returned to bless his own household, Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David and said, “How the king of Israel dignified himself today! For he exposed himself today in the sight of his servants’ female slaves, as one of the rabble shamelessly exposes himself!” But David said to Michal, “I was before the Lord, who preferred me to your father and to all his house, to appoint me as ruler over the people of the Lord, over Israel. So I will celebrate before the Lord! And I might demean myself even more than this and be lowly in my own sight, but with the female slaves of whom you have spoken, with them I am to be held in honor!” And Michal the daughter of Saul had no child to the day of her death. 2 Samuel 6:16, 20-23
Being Jamaican we have a culture that promotes assertiveness, which can be a bit overwhelming for those who come from a more submissive society. We tend to speak our minds enthusiastically. I have had friends from other countries who after hearing me engage in a passionate conversation with another person from the Caribbean believe that we were in a quarrel. On the contrary, we folks from the islands communicate with friendly fervency and much sarcasm. However, we have to be careful as what is normal to us may be hurtful to others. So we should be always mindful to respect other persons’ manner of communication.
Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor. Romans 12:10
Culture could divide us, when God wants us united. Church culture has caused much division in different denominations because of varying ideologies. The devil uses all these to make us lose focus of salvation, sanctification and our relationship with Christ. We should all ask the questions: "What is my ‘why’?" Why do we do the things we do? Is our motivation love? Our ministry of love should be to serve God and serve others. But how far will we go to sacrificially love someone? Will we be willing to put aside our culture to have the love of Christ pour through us to others?
Now differences and disagreements are not always bad. As a matter of fact, a disagreement can act like a thermometer to gauge our values, attitudes and beliefs. It may put things into the proper perspective if we are open to seeing a view that is different than ours, which could enable us to have greater insight and spiritual growth.
As we analyzed Acts 15 in our Bible study, we clearly saw the division between the Jews and the Gentiles because of traditional and cultural issues. However, this was resolved when the disciples showed that the Gentiles did not have to conform to all of the Jewish practices to be saved.
After there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, “Brothers, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles would hear the word of the gospel and believe. And God, who knows the heart, testified to them giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He also did to us; and He made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith. Since this is the case, why are you putting God to the test by placing upon the neck of the disciples a yoke which neither our forefathers nor we have been able to bear? But we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in the same way as they also are.” Acts 15:7-11
If our cultures are dividing us then it is not of Christ as His will is for us to be one body walking in unity. It is okay to disagree, but it should never stop the work of God as we all want to stay in His will. We should never let our cultural differences bring disagreements that lead to bitterness, resentment and unforgiveness, which are strategies of the enemy to entrap us. So let us not fall prey to the bait of Satan, which is offence. Let us not allow passion for our culture to supersede the mission for Christ.
We have to make the decision each day to live counterculture or live opposed to God’s Kingdom. There are only two choices. There is no middle ground. If we are led by the Holy Spirit, He will lead us on the straight and narrow path which is not easy but is best for anyone who desires to live a life surrendered to Christ, while living purposefully in God’s Kingdom, leaving worldly pursuits behind. What is your choice – Christ or culture?
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