If I were born in the Middle East, I would probably belong to one of the three major branches of Islam. If I were born in Japan, I might be a Buddhist or Shintoist. If born in Central America, I would probably be a Catholic. If I were born in America, I could belong to any of several religions. I would share in the cultural beliefs and practices of the local people or my own family.
However, it’s important to distinguish the difference between a religious culture’s influence and the work of God drawing people to himself by the Holy Spirit. Most people think that Christians merely subscribe to a particular set of ethics and who practice particular rituals. However, a Christian’s life goes beyond subscribing to various ethics of right and wrong.
The Bible tells us that a Christian is a child of God, not of culture. A person does not become a Christian by his own will power, blood relations, family upbringing, nor by any other agency of mankind (John 1:12-13). Through the gift of faith in Jesus a person becomes a citizen of heaven, and slowly takes up new practices that are often at odds with his former culture.
What Do You Think?
a. If the Creator of the universe himself came into your life, do you think you would continue life like before?
b. If you are a Christian, do you have the same standards in life as your coworkers or fellow students? If so, is that a good thing?
c. If you are a Christian, in what ways have you withdrawn from the culture because of the work of God in your life?
d. Is America a Christian nation? Why or why not?
e. Is someone a Christian simply because of high moral standards and the belief in a higher power?
