Maintaining a Counter-Cultural Stance
As a Christian, embracing counter-cultural attitudes and behaviors in the face of societal norms can be a powerful expression of faith and obedience to God’s word. Here are three reasons Christians should consider being counter-cultural:
1) Alignment with biblical values: Society’s norms and values are constantly evolving, often moving further away from the principles and teachings of the Bible. As Christians, our ultimate authority is God’s word, which provides timeless guidance for how we should live. By being counter-cultural, we prioritize biblical values such as love, humility, integrity, and justice, even if they clash with the prevailing norms of society. This means standing up for the sanctity of life, the importance of marriage, and the pursuit of righteousness, even when it’s unpopular or deemed outdated by the world.
2) Faithfulness to Christ’s teachings: Jesus himself warned his followers that they would face opposition and be hated by the world (John 15:18-19). Being counter-cultural is a natural consequence of faithfully following Christ’s teachings, as it often requires going against the flow of societal trends and worldly desires. In a culture that promotes materialism, self-centeredness, and instant gratification, Christians are called to live lives of selflessness, generosity, and self-control. By choosing to be counter-cultural, we demonstrate our allegiance to Christ and prioritize his commandments above the shifting norms of society.
3) Salt and light in the world: Jesus referred to his followers as the “salt of the earth” and the “light of the world” (Matthew 5:13-16). By embodying counter-cultural values, Christians have the opportunity to bring about positive change and make a significant impact on society. When we stand up for justice, advocate for the marginalized, show compassion to the hurting, and live out our faith authentically, we become beacons of hope and agents of transformation.
Our counter-cultural stance can challenge the status quo, inspire others to reconsider their own beliefs, and ultimately lead them closer to the truth of the Gospel.
Just a thought,
PSS
