Engaging the Culture With Spiritual Truth

I recently got on an interactive website for seniors. This is one that has a forum where members can post thoughts on most any subject and expect responses from readers all over the world. I initiated a discussion on the topic: “What is Heaven Like?” My thinking was that since some seniors are really up in years and who may assume they will be going to heaven when they pass away, that they might like to have some idea about it. I used Revelation 21:4 as my source where heaven is described as a place of no more death, nor mourning, nor crying nor pain. This verse is really relevant to seniors. One would think that this age group would be giving some serious thought to a place called heaven. I was in for a big surprise! Out of the ones who responded there was no belief in an afterlife of any kind or a condition for going to heaven apart from God’s grace. There were also some very “weird” beliefs. Whatever the case, hardly anyone used a credible source to support their beliefs.

I next engaged in a discussion of evolution and creationism. This was very challenging and enjoyable. I prayed for wisdom as I posted my responses to various questions and issues. One reader even challenged me to come up with a list of scientists who support creationism. I directed him to a website that listed 200 scientists.

Something that struck me more than ever before is how separate and distinctly different Christian beliefs are from the rest of the world, because we have the Spirit of God indwelling our lives.

“I Cor 2:4-5  And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.

With one or two exceptions, there was no understanding of the spiritual side of things, which is exactly what this scripture continues to speak about.

I Cor 2:12-15  Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

The Bible also speaks about a narrow way and few there are who find it.

Matt 7:13-14 Enter by the narrow gate, for the gate is wide, and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and many are those who enter by it. For the gate is small, and the way is narrow that leads to life, and few are those who find it.

Truly, compared to the broad path of the world’s wisdom, philosophies, and opinions, the gospel of grace through Jesus Christ is very narrow. One of my comments to a reader was that my beliefs are based on “a source of truth that can be trusted,” a reference to the divine inspiration of the Bible.  This is in stark contrast to the time in which we now live, which some are referring to as an era of “post-truth.”

The majority of the comments I received reflected no hope. I am so glad that I as a Christian, according to His great mercy, have been  “born again to a living hope, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (I Peter 1:3).

I will conclude this article by saying that this new website I am on is affording me with a wonderful opportunity to interact and converse with the culture of our time, something that each Christian needs to do if we are to see the transforming power and grace of God at work.

I use writing to engage the culture about spiritual truth. How about you? How can your life be used by God in specific ways to do the same?