Counter-Cultural Community

Good Morning,

Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all. Col. 3:11

Take a moment to look in the mirror this morning. After doing so, think about this. Heaven won’t look like you – or at least not just like you. You will spend heaven alongside people who on this earth, don’t look like you, don’t think like you, don’t prioritize things like you, don’t like the same worship style as you, don’t like the same kind of food, music, or clothes as you, and yes, did not vote for the same people as you.  As a Yankees fan, I even have to admit there will probably be Red Sox fans there! Oh, the grace of God.

In a world of outrage how can this ever be possible? As our culture becomes more fractured and divided and disagreements become far more personal, something must change to stem the tide. That something is Jesus’ people becoming more like Jesus. And that can bring a beautiful, fragrant aroma to an atmosphere that otherwise smells bad. 

In the verse above Paul is writing to a church and culture that is not immune to these factions. He describes a vision of community not divided by prevalent issues of the day which included political, religious, economic, and cultural differences. He has preceded this in verses 8-10 describing things that must go for this to occur. Things like anger, rage, malice, slander and lying aren’t to be part of a life that identifies with Jesus. What gets put in place of these? Things like compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, and forbearance.

Here is what I don’t want you to miss. This is more than a check list. As we can be so prone to do, we focus on developing a list of behaviors and then try hard to “do” them. I fear we are missing the point. For the point is not behaviors themselves, but a person, Christ. Paul says repeatedly in his writings that Christ is over-all, through all and in all. When Christ has captured a heart and life, these behaviors will be the result. You will live, love and act differently.

For the result of a life in love with Jesus is Jesus-like love. And the effect on the atmosphere in the places we live, work and play will be astoundingly counter-cultural. It will be redemptive instead of retributive, compassionate instead of cantankerous and hope-filled instead of harsh and hostile.  People who reflect Jesus create beautiful community wherever they go. And the air will begin to smell fresh and new. The key is to stay focused on the One who can bring it about and look increasingly more like Him.

We aren’t called to look like a good liberal or conservative, or the devout champion of a particular cause or even a faithful member of a church - - we are called to look like Christ! - RK

Live on purpose,
Ron Klopfenstein