“Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and
immediately forgets what he looks like.”
James 1:23-24
Biblical vs. Cultural Christians
In our world it is getting harder to find men who are committed to an authentic walk with God. In Patrick Morley’s book, The Man in The Mirror, the author explores this idea in a section entitled, Biblical Christians or Cultural Christians.
James wrote in chapter 1:23-24, “Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.”
Accept Christ & Forsake the World
A.W Tozer says on this subject, “A whole new generation of Christians has come up believing that it is possible to accept Christ without forsaking the world.”
Mr. Morley poses this question: “If religion is such a big part of our lives, why hasn’t it made more of an impact in our society?”
It’s a very good question. If we consider this question in light of biblical manhood, the answer may be that we have substituted this a counterfeit version of cultural Christianity for the real thing.
The God We Want
So, what is cultural Christianity?
Morley defines it this way:
“Cultural Christianity means to pursue the God we want instead of the God who is. It is the tendency to be shallow in our understanding of God, wanting Him to be more of a gentle grandfather type who spoils us and lets us have our own way. It is sensing a need for God, but on our own terms. It is wanting the God we have underlined in our bibles without wanting the rest of Him too.
It is God relative instead of God absolute.”
Authentic Followers of Christ
Cultural Christianity is Christianity made impotent. We see this on display right now in our nation. It’s ok to be a Christian, so long as it doesn’t change, challenge, or confront.
God help us to be authentic followers of Christ!
Written by Larry Martin
MD5 LAB Facilitator
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