One of the characteristics of life in the 21st century is that things are always changing. In some cases, things are changing very fast. For example, technology changes at a very fast pace. In addition to that, lifestyles are changing. Belief systems such as political beliefs and philosophical beliefs are changing. Amongst all this change, there’s a lot of pressure on Christianity to change with the culture.
Some people and organizations within Christianity are caving in to that pressure and they’re changing. For example, there’s an entire movement within Christianity called the emergent church that believes that as culture changes, a new church should emerge in response. There are many organizations within Christianity that do not necessarily agree with the emergent church, and yet they are changing in response to the changes we see in the culture around us.
The problem with what the emergent church is doing and what many other organizations within Christianity are doing is that the Bible tells us to do the opposite. We are not supposed to follow and change with the culture. We are supposed to hold firm to the truth.
Watch the video to learn more or scroll down to read the transcript.
Transcript:
One of the characteristics of life in the 21st century is that things are always changing. In some cases, things are changing very fast. For example, technology changes at a very fast pace. In addition to that, lifestyles are changing. Belief systems such as political beliefs and philosophical beliefs are changing. Amongst all this change, there’s a lot of pressure on Christianity to change with the culture.
Some people and organizations within Christianity are caving in to that pressure and they’re changing. For example, there’s an entire movement within Christianity called the emergent church that believes that as culture changes, a new church should emerge in response. There are many organizations within Christianity that do not necessarily agree with the emergent church, and yet they are changing in response to the changes we see in the culture around us.
The problem with what the emergent church is doing and what many other organizations within Christianity are doing is that the Bible tells us to do the opposite. We are not supposed to follow and change with the culture. We are supposed to hold firm to the truth.
There are multiple passages in the Bible that tell us this. One of the lesser known passages is 2 Thessalonians chapter 2. Within that chapter, it’s verse 15 that tells us clearly to stand firm on the truth that we find in the Bible. However, in order to understand that verse it’s helpful to understand the context, so I’m going to start reading chapter 2 at verse 1. I’ll read the first 15 verses, and then I’ll talk about what verse 15 tells us about how we should act in response to what’s happening in the world around us.
2Th. 2:1 Now we request you, brethren, with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, 2 that you not be quickly shaken from your composure or be disturbed either by a spirit or a message or a letter as if from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. 3 Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, 4 who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God. 5 Do you not remember that while I was still with you, I was telling you these things? 6 And you know what restrains him now, so that in his time he will be revealed. 7 For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only he who now restrains will do so until he is taken out of the way. 8 Then that lawless one will be revealed whom the Lord will slay with the breath of His mouth and bring to an end by the appearance of His coming; 9 that is, the one whose coming is in accord with the activity of Satan, with all power and signs and false wonders, 10 and with all the deception of wickedness for those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved. 11 For this reason God will send upon them a deluding influence so that they will believe what is false, 12 in order that they all may be judged who did not believe the truth, but took pleasure in wickedness.
In this chapter Paul was writing about the future coming of the Lord and the man of lawlessness. He wrote about people who do not receive the love of the truth and will instead receive a deluding influence because they believe what is false. Paul also wrote that those who do not believe the truth will be judged. Let’s continue at verse 13.
2Th. 2:13 But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth. 14 It was for this He called you through our gospel, that you may gain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15 So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word of mouth or by letter from us.
After talking about future events, the man of lawlessness, people who believe things that are false, and those who are going to be judged because they don’t hold to the truth, Paul told the Thessalonians to “stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught.”
The Thessalonians were taught these traditions by two methods. The first method was word of mouth. Paul had spent time in Thessalonica. He had taught them in person. The second method by which they learned the traditions was by letter. Paul wrote a couple letters to the Thessalonians instructing them, explaining doctrine, and telling them how to live. Paul told them in verse 15 to stand firm on those things that Paul had taught them.
This is something you and I need to do, also. We live in a society that, in many ways, is very similar to what we see described in chapter 2. There are many people today who believe things that are false. There are people who do not receive the love of the truth. They do not believe the truth. They take pleasure in wickedness.
Amongst all this falsehood, we Christians who are true believers need to stand firm and hold to the traditions which we were taught through the Bible. That’s the opposite of what the emergent church is doing. The emergent church is changing with the culture. They’re following the culture. We Christians need to do the opposite.
The Bible gives us absolute truth. We have to know the truth. We have to hold to it. We have to stand firm on the truth. We have to teach and communicate that truth to fellow believers, our children, our grandchildren, and the world we live in. Our world needs to hear the truth that is found in the Bible.
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