Culture of Christ's Mission

What’s the hardest thing about starting something new? Fear of failure? For many folks, starting something new means there is an entirely new set of rules, norms, customs, relationships, etc., that have to be considered in order to be successful. While starting new things can be exciting for some, it’s scary for many others. However, like most things, the more you do it (experience), the more you feel comfortable with what you’re doing and who it’s with. 

In Hebrews 5:11-14, we’re reminded that there is a point when we should be able to share this message or encourage others with the truth about Jesus. “We have much to say about this, but it is hard to make it clear to you because you no longer try to understand. In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.” 

We have a responsibility to share this good news with the world (Matthew 28:19-20). After all, that’s how the kingdom of God began (people spreading the good news about it), and as Paul says in Romans 10:14-15, “How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: 'How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!'” 

As Christianity declines in the U.S., we need to ask why. How much of the neglect of the good news is because we don’t try? Or, how much of it is because we don’t know how to express it to a culture that we’re not used to? 

Communicating truth to a culture that doesn’t believe in truth seems challenging, but is it impossible? The early Christians had their own cultural obstacles to overcome in order to teach and preach the good news. Paul knew he was speaking primarily to people of the Greek-thinking culture. They didn’t think in the monotheistic Judaism model that the Jews did. Those teachers of the truth would have to learn how to communicate with the Hellenistic culture of those influenced by the Roman empire. So do we. No excuses! 

1 Peter 2:11-12, “Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day He visits us.” 

“Let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds…” (Hebrews 10:24). This may end up thinking of fresh, new ideas in order to accomplish it. “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31)