In Acts 17:26, Paul said, “and He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation.” This reveals alot to us about Christians and culture. It says that God has placed each person in a particular time frame in history, as well as a particular location on this earth. God chose each one of us to live in a particular time and place in this world. If that’s true (and it is according to this verse), then shouldn’t it beg the question “Why did God put me here?”
There is a revealing verse in Jeremiah 29:5-6. It details God’s desire for His people as they lived in a new culture in Babylon. It says, “Build houses and live in them; and plant gardens and eat their produce. Take wives and become the fathers of sons and daughters, and take wives for your sons and give your daughters to husbands, that they may bear sons and daughters; and multiply there and do not decrease. Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf; for in its welfare you will have welfare.” Notice 3 things God told them to do in this culture, and 3 things we ought to do in our culture.
Live your life within the culture.
God expected his people to get comfortable and continue to live their normal lives within this culture. He expects us to do the same in our modern culture.
Do good within the culture.
God expected them to “seek the welfare of the city.” He wanted them to be influence for good in the culture they found themselves. He expects us to be an influence for good within our culture as well.
Pray for the culture.
God expected His people to pray for the culture they found themselves in. No matter how challenging our culture is, God wants us to pray for it as well.
The reality is that God has placed in a particular time and place for a reason. He plans to use our gifts and abilities to bear His image in the world we find ourselves in. These are 3 things that help us see how Christians should live and interact within their culture.
-Kolton Ballance