DO I HAVE TO REJECT MY COUNTRY AND MY CULTURE?

1. Our country and culture are a gift from Creator God.

The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth. …He made every nation of men, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us. “For in him we live and move and have our being.”

Acts 17:24, 26-28

Creator God intentionally gave us the beautiful, unique country that we live in.

It is a gift from him.

God has always been right here with us in our country –

in fact, we have always existed in him!

This is true even if we have not known it before.

How do we respond to the one who blesses us like this?

Isn't it appropriate for us to seek and find the one who gave us these great gifts of country and culture?

And to seek and find the one who gives us all other good gifts as well?

God…richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.

1 Timothy 6:17

On the other hand, think of how ungrateful it is to dismiss his kindness to us –

and how disrespectful it is for us to ignore him.

We thank people when they do even a small kindness for us . . .

Then, why don't we thank Creator God for all his good gifts to us –

including our country and our culture?

For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him.

Romans 1:21

2. We were offspring of Creator God long before we became aware of our nation or culture.

The God who made the word and everything in it . . . We are his offspring.

Acts 17:24, 28

O Lord…you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am…wonderfully made. …My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together…your eyes saw my unformed body.

Psalm 139:1, 13-16

Creator God made you long before your culture had any influence on you.

So we are all obligated to this loving Heavenly Father.

Our obligation to him existed long before our obligation to our culture or our country.

But…

We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way.

Isaiah 53:6

But, even if we have turned away from him and are ignoring him...

…he is not far from each one of us.

Acts 17:27

So, like a loving father, he asks:

“Where are you?”

Genesis 3:9

“Return to me,” declares the Lord Almighty, “and I will return to you”

Zechariah 1:3

If you believe in Jesus Christ:

You were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

I Peter 2:25

You are simply returning to the one who created you and gave you your culture in the first place.

3. Creator God's original intention was that people from our culture would be with him forever:

It was planned before creation!

For he [God] chose us in him [Christ] before the creation of the world.

Ephesians 1:4

This is true for all those who believe in Jesus Christ.

Long before our country ever existed –

in fact, before the world ever existed –

God chose us for himself!

For those God foreknew…he also called.

Romans 8:29-30

Do you believe in Jesus Christ? Are you God's child for all eternity?

Then, Creator God already knew you before the creation of the world!

So, God's plan, from the beginning, was to save the whole world –

including individuals from our people group.

At the end of the Bible it says:

A great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, [was] standing before the throne [of God] and in front of [Christ] the Lamb.

Revelation 7:9

From the west, men will fear the name of the Lord, and from the rising of the sun, they will revere his glory.

Isaiah 59:19

So, what should we do?

Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.

Hebrews 3:15

But this big plan for the whole world was not obvious at the beginning of the Bible –

or at the beginning of human history.

It was a mystery:

[This] mystery [was] hidden for long ages past.

Romans 16:25

Why?

Didn't we say that God chose people for himself from before the creation of the world?

True.

But, near the beginning of the Bible, God needed to narrow his focus to:

• One man, Abraham . . .

• And, one nation, Israel.

Abra[ha]m fell facedown, and God said to him, "As for me, this is my covenant with you: ...I will establish my covenant as an everlasting covenant between me and you and your descendants. ...The whole land of Canaan [Palestine]...I will give as an everlasting possession to you and your descendants [Israel] after you; and I will be their God."

Genesis 17:3-4, 7

In the Old Testament, Israel became the focus of God's interaction with people.

God had a very specific, wonderful purpose for doing this –

a purpose that would bless the whole world.

So, let's not get confused by this:

Don't think that Creator God forgot about us or our culture.

Even when focusing on Abraham, there was already a hint of God's mysterious plan for the whole world.

Creator God made a wonderful promise:

The Lord had said to Abra[ha]m, "...All peoples on earth will be blessed through you."

Genesis 12:1, 3

So, God's focus on Abraham and on Israel had a very wide purpose –

that would directly benefit our people

and would benefit the whole world.

But, before God could bless the whole world, important preparation was necessary.

God needed to set up a vehicle by which to:

1. Give his Word (the Bible) to the whole world.

2. Show everyone in the world that they could not save themselves.

3. Send his Messiah (Jesus Christ) to the world to save us.

Creator God chose Israel as this vehicle.

The greatest benefit that comes to us through Israel is . . .

From them...is traced the human ancestry of Christ.

Romans 9:5

This is the only solution that can bring us back to our Father in Heaven.

It is by the name of Jesus Christ. … Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we mut be saved.

Acts 4:10, 12

The only one who can save us and our people came through Israel.

Through Christ, people of our country are specifically included in God's plan.

[This was] the mystery hidden for long ages past, but now revealed and made known.

Romans 16:25-26

Written about AD 40-50 after Jesus' resurrection

This mysterious plan always included the whole world.

So that all nations might believe and obey him [God].

Romans 16: 25

What God started with Israel was always meant for us –

if we believe.

Our people were never forgotten!

Creator God is eternal! His plans for us are eternal.

The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ…chose us in him before the creation of the world.

Ephesians 1:3-4

If we believe in Jesus Christ, we were chosen by Father God before Israel ever appeared on the earth –

or before our country ever appeared on the earth.

Jesus said, "My kingdom is not of this world."

John 18:36

Our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Philippians 3:20

The purpose of the mystery being revealed now is so that all nations will revere God

Not all descended from Israel are Israel Rom 9:3? But only those with faith. God is creating a new people–saved by faith–from among Jews and Gentles – and you have the opportunity to be included with them on equal footing. Prepared for glory whom God will call among Jews and Gentiles Rom 9:later. Again, you have an opportunity. that transcends culture (without obliterating your culture)

A Jew is not one who is a Jew outwardly.Obedience results in uncircucisioin becoming like circumcision. There is not Jew or Greek, male or female – all one in Christ. This is the mystery: what appeared to be separate and irreconcilable is now one. A big questioin was: Do Gentiles have to become Jewish / follow the Law? No. The gospel says: No.

Just because israel was chosen as a nation does not mean that each individual Israelite or Jew will be saved.

The basis for their salvation is no different than yours. You have the same opportunity that they have! Both Jews and Gentiles are saved by one thing – faith in Jesus Christ.

This mystery is that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 3:6

So don't be offended that you are included later.

You are specifically included because of Jesus Christ!

Without him you could not be included.

In fact, without him Jews could not be included either.

Because Option #1 (especially the attempt to keep God's Law, given to the Jews about 1400 BC) was a failure for them, as well as it is for us.

To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life. But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath and anger. There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile [non-Jew]; but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile [non-Jew]. For God does not show favoritism.

Romans 2:7-11

God is being fair and just with you!

All who sin apart from the Law [mainly non-Jews] will also perish apart from the Law, and all who sin under the Law [mainly Jews] will be judged by the Law. ...When Gentiles [non-Jews], who do not have the Law, do by nature things required by the Law, ...they show that the requirements of the Law are written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts now accusing, now even defending them.

Romans 2:12-15

We have already made the charge that Jews and Gentiles alike are all under sin.

Romans 3:9

So...every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God. Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the Law; rather, through the Law we become conscious of sin.

Romans 3:19-20

Even though the country of Israel and Jews were given the Law in the Old Testament, it did not save them.

That was because they could not follow it.

So the Law only condemned them – as it condemns all people, for no one can follow it.

But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known. ...This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all [Jews and non-Jews] who believe. There is no difference [between Jews and non-Jews], for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and [all] are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.

Romans 3:21-24

Is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles [non-Jews] too? Yes, of Gentiles too, since there is only one God, who will justify the [Jew]...by faith and the [non-Jew]...through that same faith.

Romans 3:29-30

Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. ...For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from observing the Law.

Romans 3:27028

So Jews and non-Jews are all in the same boat – condemned by God's Law.

But all can be saved by God's grace! – and only through Jesus Christ.

For God 1000 years is like a day, and a day is like 1000 years –

so don't be offended by God's timing.

Remember, if you put your faith in him, it is because he intended to include you from the beginning of creation.

So please don't miss the opportunity he is giving you.

Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.

Hebrews 3:15

Eternity is what matters!

Life on this earth is very short – usually about 80 years.

Eternity is forever!

You are invited to be part of God's eternal plan:

There…was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne [of God] and in front of [Christ] the Lamb. …They cried out in a loud voice: “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.”

Revelation 7:9-10

Written about AD 95

From the west, men will fear the name of the Lord, and from the rising of the sun, they will revere his glory.

Isaiah 59:19

Written about 700 BC

4. Then why is there so much focus on Israel in the Bible?

There are several reasons.

God chose Israel because he loved them:

In about 1400 B.C. the Old Testament says this about Israel:

The Lord did not set his affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples. But it was because the Lord loved you.

Deuteronomy 7:7-8

Israel (the Jews) did nothing to earn God's love or favor.

They are no better than anyone

No one can earn God's favor.

God simply chooses to love.

About 1400 years later this became true for Gentiles [non-Jews] also:

For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son [Jesus Christ], that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

John 3:16

So today, God has chosen to love both Jews and Gentiles through Jesus Christ.

So do not think that your people have been excluded – or that your people are unloved by God.

Don't think that his love has no relation to you.

Is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles too? Yes, of Gentiles too, since there is only one God, who will justify the...[Jews] by faith and the...[Gentiles] through that same faith.

Romans 3:29-30

But Israel has a special place in God's plan:

In the third month after the Israelites left [slavery in] Egypt...Moses went up to God, and the Lord called to him from the mountain and said, "...You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you [Israel] on eagles' wings and brought you to myself. Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation."

Exodus 19:1, 3-6

Manga, Vol. 1, page

As priests and a holy nation what was their task?

This is what the Lord says–he who created you, ...O Israel: "...You are my witnesses. ...Before me no god was formed, nor will there be one after me. I, even I, am the Lord, and apart from me there is no Savior. ...You are my witnesses," declares the Lord, "that I am God. Yes, and from ancient days I am he. No one can deliver out of my hand. When I act, who can reverse it?"

Isaiah 43:1, 10-13

Israel is called by Creator God to be a witness about him to the whole world.

But, instead of being his witnesses, what did they do?

If you call yourself a Jew...do you dishonor God by breaking the Law? As it is written [in the Old Testament]: "God's name is blasphemed [despised] among the Gentiles [non-Jews] because of you."

Romans 2:17, 23-24

So what did God do?

[God declared:] "When I took them [Israel] by the hand to lead them out of Egypt, ...they did not remain faithful to my covenant, and I turned away from them."

Hebrews 8:9

The Lord...sent word to them through his messengers [the prophets] again and again, because he had pity on his people... But they...despised his words and scoffed at his prophets until the wrath of the Lord was aroused against his people and there was no remedy. He brought up against them the king of the Babylonians, who...spared neither young man nor young woman, old man or aged. God handed all of them over to [King] Nebuchadnezzar, [who]...set fire to God's temple and broke down the wall of Jerusalem. ...He carried into exile to Babylon the remnant, who escaped from the sword, and they became servants to him and his sons until...the seventy years were completed in fulfillment of the word of the Lord spoken by [the prophet ] Jeremiah.

II Chronicles 36:15-21

Story in Manga Vol. 3

Is there still any advantage in being a Jew?

Yes, there is.

What advantage, then, is there in being a Jew...? Much in every way! First of all, they have been entrusted with the very words of God [the Bible].

Romans 3:1-2

[In the Old Testament] theirs is the adoption as sons; theirs the divine glory, the covenants, the receiving of the Law, the temple worship and the promises. Theirs are the patriarchs [for example, Abraham], and from them is traced the human ancestry of Christ, who is God over all, forever praised!

Romans 9:4-5

So the blessings of God came to Israel and the Jews first.

On the other hand, no! There is no advantage for Jews.

Israel, who pursued a Law of righteousness [Option #1], has not attained it. Why not? Because they pursued it not by faith [Option #2] but as if it were by works [Option #1].

Romans 9:31

Since they did not know the righteousness that comes from God [Option #2] and sought to establish their own [Option #1], they did not submit to God's righteousness [Option #2].

Unfortunately, most Jews zealously attempted to follow God's Law by their own efforts [Option #1] – and of course they failed.

And most refused to put their faith in Jesus Christ, the Messiah, the Son of God [Option #2].

But the Gentiles did.

What then shall we say? That the Gentiles [non-Jews], who did not pursue righteousness [Option #1], have obtained it, a righteousness that is by faith [Option #2].

Romans 9:30

The Gentiles weren't even trying to be good enough for God.

They weren't working for it! [Option #1]

But when they heard about Jesus Christ, they believed! [Option #2]

Why did the Gentiles, who weren't trying hard, receive it? But the Jews, who were trying very hard to obey the Law, didn't receive it?

Because ...

Christ is the end [goal] of the Law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes [in Christ – Option #2].

Romans 10:4

The whole purpose of the Law was to point to Christ.

So, many Gentiles [non-Jews] believed in Jesus Christ and became part of God's family.

But didn't Jews believe in their Messiah?

He [Jesus] came to his own, and those who were his own did not receive him.

John 1:11 (NAS)

Why not?

Christ crucified [is] a stumbling block to Jews.

I Corinthians 1:23

Jews preferred to trust in their own goodness [Option #1].

Keeping the Law [Option #1] was so important to Jews that they were unwilling to trade it for believing in their Messiah.

I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge. Since they did not know the righteousness that comes from God [Option #2] and sought to establish their own [Option #1], they did not submit to God's righteousness [Option #2].

Romans 10:2-3

So only a few Jews believed in the Messiah and were saved.

At the present time there is a remnant [of Jews] chosen by [God's] grace. And if by grace [Option #2], then it is no longer by works [Option #1].

Romans 11:5-6

Then what happened to all the other Jews who did not believe in the Messiah?

The others were hardened [in their hearts].

Romans 11:7

And this propelled God's amazing plan for Gentiles:

Because of their [the Jews's] transgression, salvation has come to the Gentiles [non-Jews] to make Israel envious. ...[The Jew's] transgression means riches for the world, [and]...their rejection is the reconciliation of the world [to God].

Romans 11:11-12, 15

So, because Israel rejected his salvation, God has thrown the door of salvation wide open to all Gentiles!

Israel has experienced a hardening [of their hearts] in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in [to God's kingdom].

Romans 11:25

This great opportunity for Gentiles was God's plan from the very beginning.

Now is the Gentiles' time to believe.

Remember what God said to Abraham in about 2000 B.C.!

"All peoples on earth will be blessed through you."

Genesis 12:13

And ...

"You will be the father of many nations."

Genesis 17:5

Later in the Old Testament, God often repeated his promise to include Gentiles.

For example, in about 700 B.C. God made this promise:

Let no foreigner who has bound himself to the Lord say, "The Lord will surely exclude me from his people."…For this is what the Lord says: "Foreigners who bind themselves to the Lord to serve him, to love the name of the Lord, and to worship him…I will bring to my holy mountain and give them joy in my house of prayer…for my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations."

Isaiah 56:3, 4, 6-7

This promise is now fully available to your country.

So, in the past Gentiles were only a secret part of God's plan –

but now you have become the focus of God's plan!

Now is your opportunity to receive God's salvation.

Therefore I want you to know that God's salvation has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen!

Acts 28:28

So don't be offended by God's timing –

that he offered salvation to the Jews first.

And don't be derailed by your own cultural pride or prejudice –

please don't be put off that God's Messiah wasn't born in your country.

The Savior of the entire world had to be born somewhere!

Doesn't Creator God have the right to choose where his own Son will be born?

But what if you are a Jew?

There is some good news in the short-term:

Did God reject his people [Israel]? By no means! God did not reject his people whom he foreknew ([and whom] he chose in...[Christ] before the creation of the world). ...At the present time there is a remnant [of Jews] chosen by grace. And if by grace, then it is no longer by works.

Romans 11:1-2, 5-6

(Ephesians 1:4)

So, at this very moment, there is every opportunity for you, if you respond to your Messiah in faith [Option #2].

But there is no hope for you if you pursue Creator God by Option #1.

There is also very good news in the long-term:

I ask: Did they [the Jews] stumble so as to fall beyond recovery? Not at all.

Romans 11:11

They are loved on account of the patriarchs [Abraham, etcetera], for God's gifts and his call [to Israel] are irrevocable.

Romans 11:28

In later days you [Israel] will return to the Lord your God and obey him. For the Lord your God is a merciful God; he will not abandon or destroy you or forget the covenant with your forefathers, which he confirmed to them by oath.

Deuteronomy 4:30-31

[When] the full number of Gentiles has come in...all Israel will be saved.

Romans 11:25-26

For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.

Jeremiah 31:34

What is God's ultimate plan? Jews & Gentiles will be one in Jesus Christ!

We are all sinners and guilty before God.

We have already made the charge that Jews and Gentiles alike are all under sin. ...For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. ...Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his [God's] sight by observing the Law [Option #1].

Romans 3:9, 23, 20

So we are all made righteous only by God's mercy [Option #2].

Righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe, ...for all...are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.

Romans 3:22, 24

So in his amazing plan for the whole world ...

God has bound all men [Jew and Gentile] over to disobedience so that he may have mercy on them all.

Romans 11:32

All are sinners!

So, all can receive God's mercy!

And this is the mystery that God planned from the beginning of the world:

This mystery is that...the Gentiles are heirs [of eternal life] together with Israel, members together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ Jesus.

Ephesians 3:6

There is no ethnic or cultural barrier in Christ!

There is no more "we" and "they."

Now in Christ Jesus you [Gentiles] who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made the two [Jew & Gentile] one and has destroyed the barrier. ...His purpose was to create in himself one new man out of the two, thus making peace, and in this one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. He came and preached peace to you [Gentiles] who were far away and peace to those [Jews] who were near. For through him we both have access to [God] the Father by one [Holy] Spirit.

Ephesians 2:13-18

So through faith in Christ, you and your people are included!

And your culture should not be the thing to keep you from eternal life –

unless you let it.

Remember that you who are Gentiles [non-Jews] by birth...were separate from Christ, ...without hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ.

Ephesians 2:11-13

So now ...

You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. ...There is neither Jew nor Greek [non-Jew], slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed [descendants], and heirs [of eternal life] according to the promise [of God].

Galatians 3:16, 28-29

Jesus Christ transcends all divisions between people!

"Abraham's seed" – what does that mean?

First, God chose Abraham to be the father of Israel in about 2000 B.C.

The Jews [said], "We are Abraham's descendants. ...Abraham is our father."

John 8:31, 33, 39

This is referring to Abraham's physical descendants (or seed):

So Israelites are Abraham's physical descendants.

But Gentiles are obviously not his physical descendants.

In addition, the nation of Israel was chosen as God's special possession:

After the Israelites left Egypt...God...said, "...Out of all nations you [Israel] will be my treasured possession."

Exodus 19:1, 3-6

So for 2000 years, until Jesus Christ came, Jews enjoyed a special relationship with God that Gentiles rarely experienced.

But remember God's mysterious plan – and what he also said to Abraham:

"All peoples on earth will be blessed through you."

Genesis 12:13

And ...

"You will be the father of many nations."

Genesis 17:5

So, Abraham is the father of Gentiles (non-Jews) also.

This came true about 2000 years later when Jesus Christ died and was resurrected.

Gentiles, who had been excluded, were now fully included as Abraham's spiritual descendants (seed):

2000 years before ...

Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.

Romans 4:3 / Genesis 15:6

So ...

[Abraham] is the father of all who believe.

Romans 4:11

He is their spiritual father.

So then, he is the father of all [Gentiles] who believe, ...in order that righteousness might be credited to them. And he is also the father of [all Jews]...who also walk in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had.

Romans 4:11-12

Therefore, the promise [of eternal life] comes by faith, so that it may be by [God's] grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham's offspring. ...He is the [spiritual] father of us all. As it is written: "I [God] have made you a father of many nations." He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed – the God who gives life to the dead.

Romans 4:16-17

So Gentiles are not left out!

We see that God's plan, that was made before the creation of the world, and was mysteriously hidden for thousands of years, transcends all cultural, national, ethnic, and language barriers.

So, as God intended from the beginning, he wants to include us all as children of Abraham.

But more importantly, we can become a child of Creator God, the loving Heavenly Father.

5. Our nationality does not make our faith in Christ either superior or inferior to the faith of someone of another nationality.

Peter wrote the following words about our faith.

(Peter was a Jew from a small town in northern Israel.

He was one of Jesus' 12 main disciples.

He wrote a couple letters around 35 years after Jesus rose from the dead and went back to heaven.)

Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to God’s elect [God's children]…scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia [areas in Asia Minor]. …To those who…have received a faith as precious as ours: Grace and peace be yours in abundance.

I Peter 1:1 & II Peter 1:1

Of course, Peter's faith in Jesus Christ was very precious – he was Jesus' disciple.

Yet, the faith of the readers of the letters was just as precious as Peter's faith.

Peter lived about 600 miles (1000 kilometers) from the people that he was writing to in Asia Minor (or present-day Turkey).

Their countries and cultures were different.

But their faith in Christ was the same.

So it is with your faith!

6. Creator God is not asking us to change our national identity or cultural identity – or our life’s circumstances.

When I believe in Christ, should I change everything about my life?

No!

Each one should remain in the situation which he was in when God called him.

I Corinthians 7:20

The starting point of our new life as God's child is to stay put –

It is not to start changing the circumstances of your life.

So stay in the position that you are already in.

Each one should retain the place in life that the Lord assigned to him and to which God has called him. This is the rule I lay down in all the churches.

I Corinthians 7:17

For he [God] chose us in him [Christ] before the creation of the world.

Ephesians 1:4

When you become a child of God, his general instruction is:

Don’t turn the circumstances of your life upside down!

God chose you for himself before the creation of the world.

Before you ever knew him, God was in control of your life and assigned you your place in life.

He also intentionally assigned you your cultural identity.

So don’t think that your cultural identity does not please him.

Or don't think that your job does not please him (unless it is inherently evil).

When you believe in Christ, you don't change cultures.

You are all sons of God through faith in Jesus Christ. …There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

Galatians 3:26, 28

In other words, to become a child of Creator God you do not have to become a Jew –

or a member of any other cultural group.

You do not have to lay aside your cultural identity and exchange it for another.

You are a child of God solely because you are in Christ.

God is the one who gives you this new identity.

Your culture background or life circumstances do not affect your position as a child of God.

But it is okay to better your situation:

Were you a slave when you were called? Don’t let it trouble you––although if you can gain your freedom, do so.

I Corinthians 7:21

As a general rule, your current situation, such as your current job, is okay with God.

But that doesn’t mean you are locked into this situation forever.

So if you have the opportunity to better your life, it is okay to do so.

(Of course, don’t do something illegal or sinful.)

Marriage is an exception – don't seek another spouse:

If you are married to a spouse that does not believe in Jesus Christ, and they are willing to stay married to you, then stay married. If any brother has a wife who is not a believer and she is willing to live with him, he must not divorce her. And if a woman has a husband who is not a believer and he is willing to live with her, she must not divorce him. For the unbelieving husband has been sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife has been sanctified through her believing husband. Otherwise your children would be unclean, but as it is, they are holy.

Corinthians 7:12-14

Marriage is established by God – when you get married God joins you together

Matthew 19:4-6, 9

But, sometimes God gives us special instructions:

He is our Lord.

So it is his privilege to tell us if there is something specific that he wants us to do.

While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”

Acts 13:2

7. Like with every culture, there are things about our country or culture that do not please Creator God.

This is what the Lord says: “Do not learn the ways of the nations… For the customs of the peoples are worthless … Their idols cannot speak; they must be carried because they cannot walk.”

Jeremiah 10:2-3, 5

You were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers.

I Peter 1:18

As we read the Bible, we learn specific things about our old way of life that we need to change.

We should change our bad thinking and bad behavior.

We should stop participating in the evil practices of our culture.

Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Sirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off––for all whom the Lord our God will call." With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, "Save yourselves from this corrupt generation."

Acts 2:38-40

Peter was speaking to Jews.

Even they had to turn away from certain of the beliefs and practices of their culture in order to follow Creator God and his Son Jesus Christ.

8. But isn’t the Bible a western religion?

Consider this timeline – and the location of these events:

Does it sound like American, European or western culture had any influence on the Bible?

Beginning

Adam & Eve were created by God in the Middle East.

~2000 BC

Abraham became the father of Israel.

He came from Babylon and moved to present-day Israel.

~1400 BC

Moses wrote the first part of the Old Testament in the Sinai Desert region in the Middle East.

~400 BC

The Old Testament was completed.

It was mostly written in Israel, but a little in Babylon.

It was written in the Hebrew language – and a little in Aramaic.

331 BC

The Greeks conquered the Persian empire – and gained control of Israel.

146 BC

The Romans conquered the Greek empire – and gained control of Israel.

The Roman world, including Israel, continued to speak Greek as the international language.

Israel also spoke the local language of Aramaic.

~AD 0-33

Jesus was born, crucified and resurrected in Israel.

~AD 50-90

The New Testament was started and completed in Israel and various other places around the eastern half of the Mediterranean Sea.

The New Testament was written primarily in the Greek language – and a little in Aramaic.

~AD 35-312

Believers in Christ were harshly persecuted and killed by the Roman emperors and government.

AD 70

Roman Empire destroyed Jerusalem and the temple, and slaughtered many Jews or took them captive.

AD 312

Roman emperor Constantine converted to Christianity – then made it the official Roman religion.

AD 376-476

Germanic tribes and others destroyed Roman Empire – after this European nations slowly developed.

~AD 496

Francia (Kingdom of the Franks) was the first to unify territories in Europe – which eventually would become France and Germany.

AD 1607

First European settlers came to America (Jamestown, Virginia).

AD 1776

The United States became an independent nation.

[TIMELINE?]

Perspective on Timing:

• The Bible was finished being written about AD 90 – over 200 years before the Roman Empire embraced Christianity in about AD 312.

• In fact, the Roman Empire persecuted and killed believers in Christ for those first 200 years.

• It was about 400 years after the New Testament was written before other European countries (Francia in AD 496) even began to form.

• The United States was founded about 1,700 years after the writing of the New Testament.

So neither Europe nor America had any part in the writing of the Bible or in determining its content.

(But it is correct to say that Europe, and later the United States, was greatly influenced by the Bible. But the reverse was impossible: The content of the Bible could not have been influence by Europe or the United States, because the Bible was completed long before Europe and the United States came into existence!)

Perspective on Place & Culture:

The Bible is written in a Middle Eastern cultural setting. The Old Testament was almost totally written in the Hebrew language and the New Testament was written almost totally in the Greek language. None of it was originally written in English. English was not even the first language into which the Bible was translated.

It was not written in a western setting, but in a setting between east and west! The events of the Bible happened almost totally in the Middle East and mostly in Israel. Some events in Acts (in the New Testament) occurred in Asia Minor, Greece, and a very few in Rome.

But its cultural setting is not the most important thing about the Bible. Far more important is the fact that the Bible is Creator God’s personal message to all people, for all time, throughout the whole earth. Unfortunately, the world rejected Creator God from the very beginning. They did not seek God on their own.

To bring all people back to himself, God chose to give a very detailed message to the world in the Bible. In order to present a clear message, he chose to funnel it through the nation of Israel. And then he chose to focus his message even more specifically through one person, Jesus Christ.

In the past God spoke..through the prophets [in the Old Testament] at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son [Jesus Christ]. ...The Son is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being.

Hebrews 1:1-3

[Jesus said:] "Anyone who has seen me has seen [God] the Father."

John 14:9

There is no clearer picture of Creator God than his Son, Jesus Christ.

A perspective on the words "Christianity" and "Christian."

Do you know how many times the words "Christianity" or "Christian" appear in the 1000+ page Bible?

Christianity = 0 times in the Bible!

Christian = 3 times in the Bible.

(Some recent English translations, designed to use simple vocabulary and be easily understand, commonly use the word "Christian" as a convenient way to describe people who believe in Jesus Christ, but it is not used in the original Bible except in 3 places.)

So, Bible-On-Center avoids using the words "Christianity" or "Christian" for the following reasons:

1. For the average non-westerner, the word "Christianity" does not suggest the idea of a personal relationship with the Creator of the whole earth – but it primarily suggests "western religion."

So, to those unfamiliar with the Bible, the word "Christianity" has cultural overtones that are quite strong and cloud the truth about having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

To "becoming a Christian" implies rejecting one's own culture and embracing a central part of western culture.

This is an unfortunate and mistaken impression.

So Bible-On-Center avoids the phrase "become a Christian" –

and uses phrases like "become God's child."

2. The idea that "Christianity" equals "Western Religion" has another serious drawback.

It is the idea of "religion."

Do you know how many times the word "religion" is used in the original Hebrew-Greek Bible?

Religion = 0 times in the original Bible.

(Although, standard English translations do use the word "religion" just a handful of times to translate certain Greek words that have a different literal meaning.)

Based on word search on BibleHub.com

What is the problem with the concept of "religion"?

• Japanese, for example, are suspicious of "religions" – and consider themselves to be non-religious.

This despite being quite spiritual and being conscious of evil spiritual powers.

• A "religion" has the connotation of being an institutionalized organization – and many people (especially among the younger generation) in the west are suspicious of institutions.

• But, of greatest importance, Creator God does not describe what he offers us as either a "religion" or an "institution".

God offers us a father-child relationship.

It is a relationship – not a religion.

A religion is based on a set of things that we must do to be good –

It is based on a burden of obligations to the religious institution.

A relationship with Jesus is based on being part of God's family.

It is based on a relationship of love with God our Father.

3. To use the term "Christianity" categorizes it as one religious option, along with all the other religions.

The unspoken assumption (accepted by many people throughout the world) is that "Christianity" is one of many.

It lines it up as one of equal options –

as in: Are you a Christian, a Buddhist, a Hindu, a Muslim, an atheist, etc.?

As though choosing one is similar to choosing one of the cold cereals on the grocery store shelf –

a personal preference with little difference in outcome.

But Creator God goes to great pains to show that he is not one of many options.

Creator God takes up all the high ground and leaves none to any other being.

It is he or nothing.

To whom can you compare me

To say that "Christians believe X, Y, Z" or "Christianity teaches X, Y, Z" implies that this is one religious view that stands along a number of alternatives.

There is only one God, even though there are many so-called gods.

We should take seriously this exchange between Joshua and the Commander of the Lord's Army:

Joshua said, " Are you for us or against us ........

Do we want to imply to people that we are trying to get them to join our side?

Or are we calling them to submit to the Creator of all things.

4. Saying, "You must become a Christian," implies that your current belief structure is all wrong – you need to completely switch your religious thinking.

It implies that you have no understanding of Creator God and the Heavenly Father.

It implies that you have learned nothing from

Seeing God's world everyday

And experiencing the blessing of family relationships.

We tend to experience coming to Jesus as a journey or process.

The important focus isn't: What religious category are you in? You need to change categories.

The crucial issue is: How close are you to having a relationship with the Heavenly Father? How much faith do you have in Jesus Christ.

In coming to Christ, people rarely experience it as a religious on-off switch: Yesterday I was X, today I'm a Christian.

Most experience it as a process – a process of understanding and embracing truth.

A process of moving toward Jesus Christ and his Father in Heaven.

Jesus pointed out this process when he said,

You are not far from the kingdom of heaven.

And Paul didn't say to the Athenians: Switch your religious category.

Paul drew the Athenians from where they were toward Creator God and his Son Jesus.

Paul took advantage of the knowledge that the Athenians already had about Creator God –

even thought it seemed minimal!.

We are his offspring;

In him we live and move and have our being.

Jesus, in the gospels, drew people to himself.

Our primary task is to help people see Jesus.

When I am lifted up I will draw all people to myself.

We are not trying to draw people to "the Christian religion."

We want to put nothing in the way of people coming to Jesus.

After Jesus' resurrection and return to heaven, the apostle/early church leaders wanted nothing to hinder Gentiles (non-Jews) from believing in Jesus.

You have to be circumcised and follow the Law of Moses. No, we are saved by faith in Jesus.

They removed the religious hindrances that would keep people from believing –

and they put the full focus on Jesus.

If I continually use terminology that implies that my religion (and, by extension, even my culture) is better than yours, do I not take your eyes off Jesus?

Instead of being amazed by and drawn to the wonderful person of Jesus, your eyes are unconsciously directed toward your old religion and culture.

I don't want my unspoken message to you to be: Become like me; embrace my religion.

I want my clear message to you to be: Embrace Jesus – and become like him.

5. "Christianity" or "Christian" are often terms used by people in the church as a convenient shorthand when communicating – but are easily misinterpreted by those new to the church.

Within the church:

We like these terms because they are quick and easy.

We understand that "becoming a Christian" has a deeper spiritual meaning, such as believing in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, etc.

So they function as "in-house" terminology, that is not likely to be understood by visitors from outside the church.

But, even for believers in Christ, it is likely that these terms do not conjure up the very deep and personal nature of our relationship with Christ.

More seriously, we even use these terms outside the church when talking about Christ to those who don't know him.

Jesus did not call people to a religion – he called people to himself.

Do we want to be calling people to the "Christian religion" – especially with all its negative connotations?

Or do we want to be calling people to a very personal relationship with Jesus?

Do we want to put layers of misconceptions and misunderstandings in people's ways as they consider their relationship with Jesus Christ?

In the church we are tone-deaf to these nuances.

But they can ring loudly to those outside the church.

We should consider whether our convenience in communication is worth confusing others about what it means to intimately know Jesus.

This is not to be adamant about avoiding the words "Christianity" or "Christian" –

but these terms seem more of a hindrance than a help in expressing our wonderful relationship with the Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

We should be aware of the unintended obstacles that these words might present to someone thinking about embracing Jesus.

There may be many people outside the church who would be drawn to Jesus as they see him in the gospels, but who are repelled by their conception of "Christianity" and put off by the thought of becoming a "Christian."

So, Bible-On-Center uses these terms only when unavoidable – and, thus, very rarely –

like in the timeline above where Rome embraced "Christianity" as an institutionalized, state religion.

6. So here are some alternatives to the word "Christian" or "become a Christian."

The 3 times that the word "Christian" is used in the Bible, it has the following meaning:

Christianos [the original Greek word] = "a Christian, i.e. follower of Christ"

Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible

The original term clearly emphasizes our relationship to Jesus –

rather than having a cultural or religious or institutional emphasis.

So here are some useful alternatives:

Believer in Jesus

Believe in Jesus (is the action)

Believer

Follower of Jesus

God's child

Child of God

Become God's child (is the action)

Part of God's family

In God's family

A member of God's family

Become part of God's family (is the action)

Saint

Disciple of Jesus

Become a disciple of Jesus (is the action)

God says . . .

The Creator of heaven and earth says . . .

Our Heavenly Father says . . .

The Bible says . . .

(Not: Christianity teaches X, Y, Z)

(Not: Christians believe X, Y, Z)

Salvation Came to the World Through Israel (the Jews) – not through the West:

Jesus declared, “…You…worship what you do not know; we [Jews] worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews.”

John 4:21-22

They [the Jews] have been entrusted with the very words of God [in the Bible].