It's no secret that my generation values individualism more than righteousness. We are so focused on things like who has the best Instagram profile, who dresses in what clothes, and who has the most interesting life story that we've forgotten to tend to who we are as human beings. Our individualism is so infected by what the world thinks about us that truth and morality have been pushed aside. Being different and having a personality that stands out is way more of a trend than developing moral character, but the world's value of individualism and diversity leads people away from the truth of the Gospel and who God says we are. Diversity certainly is trendy, but it's not Biblical. Obsession with things that divide us and make us different was not a part of Jesus' mission. Jesus existed to be Light in a dark world, and light naturally stands out amidst darkness. It doesn't force itself to stand out.
Sin and brokenness in the world cause us to believe that Christianity is a radical faith, but Christianity in and of itself wasn't intended to be so radical. In the Garden of Eden, there wasn't much confusion or complication in man's relationship with God. God has always been God. He doesn't change, but the world is constantly shifting and falling away from His truth. Having radical beliefs can naturally come with being a Chrisitian in a fallen world, but hear me when I say: BEING RADICAL IN AND OF ITSELF IS NOT THE GOAL. Truth is the goal. Jesus' teachings weren't necessarily intended to stir people's pots (though they did). They were meant to help people see their sin and see their Savior, and going against the status quo of society's religious leaders, the Pharisees, happened to be included in that. Jesus never asked Himself, "I wonder what will what make these people angry and how I can be different from them." Jesus just preached and pursued truth. I believe that God makes each individual with special care, specific gifts, and set plans, but He calls us to take up our cross to follow ONE MAN as part of ONE BODY on ONE MISSION. Our diversity fits within a greater unity. Christianity stands out because it exists in a place that values the diversity of self over the unity of truth.
I often wonder - how many people are the way they are due to wanting to be different? Peer pressure to break off tradition and be original undermines established truth and wisdom. Wanting to be different is such a norm in society that being different is the new norm. In fact, some people are even saying there is no such thing as right and wrong and that nothing is universally true. "Truth is what you want to be"...oh dear. "Be whoever you want." Want to smoke weed and get drunk on a regular basis? Whatever suits you. Want to be mean and get revenge on that one person you don't like? Go for it, they deserve it. Want to cheat on your significant other? As long as you can justify it. Want to lie to your parents about who you're hanging out with? You do you. This is the world we live in - a world that cares way too much about what it wants and not what it needs. Where do we draw the line? How could the world ever survive with no adherence to solid principles? A world that values diversity doesn't understand how dangerous it is. We all want different things but think our way is the best way. What political party do you support? What religion do you follow? What do you think about abortion? Kentucky or Louisville fan? What is the best version of yourself? People answer these questions differently. In a world void of absolute truths and full of personal opinions, there is no morality, no unity, no resolution, no correct way of governing citizens, no agreement upon societal issues, no boundaries, no reason to treat other people kindly, and no justification of anything. Sound good to you?
There is one person who knows what humanity needs better than anyone else, and His name is Jesus. He really is the best philosopher and teacher in all of history. One read through the Gospel, and anyone can see that Jesus' philosophy and active example of how to treat others, how to love your neighbor, how to be generous, and how to serve others shows how much He understands what humanity needs. Jesus came to be truth for people who didn't know it, no matter how much trouble it ended up causing Him. Describing Jesus as a good teacher can be a dangerous game to play because He's so much more than that, but He says in John 14:6, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." He did not say, "Hey, I'm here and I'm going to do whatever I want and be whoever I want." Instead, He assures His listeners that He is a reliant and faithful follower of the Father. He says in John 12:49-50, "For I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me to say all that I have spoken. I know that his command leads to eternal life. So whatever I say is just what the Father has told me to say." Jesus didn't try to be anything but what God had called Him to be. Jesus stood out in society not because that was His goal, but because he stayed true to who God said He was - Savior of the world. Jesus stayed away from the popular trends of His time, so what do we need remove ourselves from as Christians in order to be more like Jesus?
My faith and my beliefs mean nothing if they aren't true, and I'm sorry if this offends you, but your beliefs also mean nothing if they aren't true. They may make you different, but they don't make you right. 1 John 4:6 states, "We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood." Satan, the prince of darkness, is presently active in this world. He works in cunning fashion to get us to chew and digest lies about who we are, just as he tempted Adam and Eve in the garden. Scripture tells us that he comes to steal, kill, and destroy humanity, and His primary weapon is a lie. He wants to make you believe that you can run your life better than God can. He wants you to try and play God. He wants to convince you of your right to forge your own path and be whoever you decide to be. It sounds good, but without God at the center of our lives, everything falls apart. We MUST turn to God for truth. We can find rest and peace beyond all understanding within the arms of our Creator. Who does He say we are?
If there is one take away from this article, let it be this: whoever you are, don't try to be radical. Don't force yourself to stand out and be different. Just understand that are you radically loved. That's who God says we are. Let God be radical and just follow Him because that's what Jesus did. If we force ourselves to be something we weren't created to be, we will find ourselves in constant unrest and disappointment. We are not God, so we should listen to what He says about us instead of trying to play God and decide what is right and wrong for ourselves. Otherwise, the prince of darkness will deceive you and make your life miserable. The truth of God is revealed to us in Scripture, and Galatians 3:28 reminds us of our unity, "There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female - for all of you are one in Christ Jesus." Blacks and whites, males and females, Republicans and Democrats - ALL ARE ONE IN CHRIST JESUS. I would love to see a college scholarship called the Unity Scholarship in which students write an essay about something they've done to bring people together and create unity in their community. But such a thing doesn't exist. The scholarship that exists is the Diversity Scholarship in which students celebrate what the world thinks is a good different and suitable for a large sum of cash.
Paul begs the church to seek out unity in 1 Corinthians 10:1, "I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another in what you say and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfectly united in mind and thought." Jesus tells His followers in John 17:23 that He came to bring unity to the world, "I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me." David sings of a unified church in Psalm 133:1, "How good and pleasant it is when God's people live together in unity." There is truth about who we are. There is an example of how to live in righteousness. There is a Spirit dwelling among us and helping us, but there's also a deceiver who wants your attention. What the world needs is not radicalism. We need truth, and God is the only One who can provide it.
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