Know the Times: Stories That Shaped Us
In a world that seems to be shifting beneath our feet, many of us find ourselves grappling with the cultural changes that have taken place over the past few decades. As Christians, we are called to live as both exiles and ambassadors in this ever-evolving landscape, a concept that was powerfully explored in a recent sermon I attended.
Understanding Our Dual Identity
The sermon began by highlighting our dual identity as exiles and ambassadors. As exiles, we are reminded that this world is not our ultimate home. We are strangers in a strange land, called to live by a different set of values and principles than those often celebrated by the world around us. This identity keeps us from becoming too comfortable or compromising our beliefs to fit in with the prevailing culture.
At the same time, we are ambassadors—representatives of God’s kingdom, sent to engage with the world around us. This role calls us to actively participate in society, sharing the love and truth of Christ with those we encounter. It prevents us from withdrawing into isolation and challenges us to be fearless in our witness.
The Spirit of Babylon
The sermon delved into the concept of Babylon, not just as a historical city, but as a metaphor for the systems of the world that stand in opposition to God. The spirit of Babylon is characterized by self-exaltation, collective cultural captivity, manufactured transcendence, and the pursuit of a utopian society without God.
- Self-Exaltation: In today’s culture, there is a strong emphasis on personal happiness and self-promotion. The spirit of Babylon whispers that we are the main characters in our own stories, deserving of happiness at any cost.
- Collective Cultural Captivity: The pressure to conform to societal norms and ideologies is immense. The unsacred sermons of the world urge us to bow to cultural narratives that often contradict biblical truth.
- Manufactured Transcendence: Many seek spirituality without submission to God, attempting to find meaning and fulfillment apart from Him. This is evident in movements that offer justice without biblical truth and intimacy without covenant.
- Building Utopia: The world promises a perfect society through human effort and progress, yet true transformation comes only through God’s grace and power.
Living as Exiles and Ambassadors
As we navigate this digital Babylon, we must embrace our identity as exiles and ambassadors. This means standing firm in our faith, refusing to compromise our values, and engaging the world with love and truth. We are called to be in the world but not of it, to influence culture without being consumed by it.
The sermon concluded with a challenge: to identify where we see the spirit of Babylon at work in our communities and to consider how we can live out our calling as exiles and ambassadors. This is not a time for fear or retreat but for boldness and engagement.
In a world of chaos and contradiction, we have the opportunity to shine the light of Christ, offering hope and truth to those around us. Let us rise to the challenge, living faithfully as exiles and fearlessly as ambassadors for God’s kingdom.