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Culture Shock

Culture Shock

Words of Faith 9-4-19

Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy © 2019

Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com

Faith Fellowship Church - Melbourne, FL

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Philippians 3 

[18] For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. [19] Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things. [20] But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, [21] who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.

 

       Have you looked at the stamp in your spiritual passport lately?  It says that if you belong to Jesus. You are really a resident alien here on earth!  Your citizenship is nowhere but in heaven. And your visa is for a limited time. 

       Had you noticed that the longer you live with Jesus in your life, the greater the culture shock?  It is true.  Many world cultures are interesting, even fascinating.  But the culture of "the world" we visit is not friendly toward foreigners like you or me. 

        This has nothing to do with nationalities or regions.  The culture of "the world" transcends boundaries.  You can see it in the former eastern block or on the east coast of the U.S.  You can see it the new affluent Asia, or in the heartland of America.  You can even see it in "the church." 

        The world culture is one marked by a self-absorbed lifestyle.  "Their god is their stomach" (even when trimmed by a neat tummy tuck or sporting fashionable abs!)  It is a culture bent on feeding any and every appetite. 

        Their glory is in their shame.  Sin has become a matter of pride and boasting that is featured in parades in major cities.  Paul calls this culture an "enemy of the cross," a culture that prefers to bless and sanctify sin rather than call for repentance.  No wonder a citizen of heaven feels out of place. 

        If you are a follower of Jesus, you are a foreigner awaiting departure, a final transformation into glory.  Is there any reason for happiness?  Not really.  Paul said it made him weep. Perhaps we should weep as well.  Our only joy is in Him.

 

     Lord Jesus, help me never to feel at home in "the world", never comfortable or at ease.  Rather give me a heart, even tears of compassion for the lost.  In Jesus' name.  Amen.

 

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The Words of Faith devotion is published five days a week by E-mail, and our website, and our church app, excluding Federal holidays. Please feel free to forward this devotion to a friend who might be blessed by this devotion. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is quoted from the New International Version (R) of The Holy Bible. Copyright (c) 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved. Words of Faith (c) 1997, 2010 Jeffrey D. Hoy. All rights reserved. Permission is granted to forward this copyrighted material or use portions of it with appropriate notation of the source for non-profit purposes.  

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