Text:      Romans 12:1-2 & 1 Peter 2:9

By:         Bro Chris Afekolu (Bishop)

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PREAMBLE 

CULTURE?

Simply define; culture is a word for the way of life of group of people, meaning the way they do things. Example … 

WHO YOU ARE?

But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvellous light; (1 Peter 2:9 NKJV) 

WHAT IS CHRISTIAN CULTURE?

Christian Culture is the way Christians do things in line with words of God. Some areas below;

• DRESSING {Modesty & Shamefacedness –1 Timothy 2:9}
• SPEECH {Ephesians 4:29, Read Titus 2:6–8}
• LANGUAGE
• CONVERSATION (1 Timothy 4:12)
• OCCUPATION {Does your occupation glorify God… does create opportunity for faithful living? Acts 19:24-41}
• DISPOSITION
• OBEDIENCE AND COMPLIANCE (Hebrew 5:8)
• UPRIGHTNESS, HONESTY, TRUSTHFULNESS AND INTEGRITY
• IS NOT LAZINESS (1 Thess. 4:11, 2 Thess. 3:10-12, Prov. 19:15, Prov. 24:19, Prov. 21:25 & Eccl. 10:18) 

HOW DO YOU MANAGE YOUR DEALINGS VIS -A -VIS THE CHRISTIAN CULTURE?

• The world may be deceitful in their business dealings but that is not the culture of Christians; being Christ-like in all your ways of life.
• Society may be abusive but that is not our culture as children of God (children of light should be polite and cordial)
• Disrespect for elders is not our culture
• Divorce (separation of marriage relationship) maybe the way of life in modern society that is not our culture. The world may practice homosexual or bisexual marriages but Christians engages in Heterosexual marriage.
• In the Western world the wife and husband may be sharing bills, that is not our culture. The Bible tells man in a very plain language to take care of his household; which is aligned to our culture in most communities in Africa. (1 Timothy 5:8)

IT IS OUR CULTURE AS CHRISTIANS TO SET THE RIGHT KIND OF EXAMPLES

The power of example is awesome. (1 Peter 5:2, 3). There is probably no way you will ever understand fully just how important your example is. Many of us are guilty of saying, “No one is watching me. It makes no difference what I say and do.” And yet you cannot know how many people are watching you and are affected either for good or bad by what you say and do.

This may shock you, but it is not enough for you to merely be right, you must also get others to think rightly about you. Many times you have done the right thing only to have someone challenge or dispute your motives. This is why the matter of Christian example is so terribly important, and this is precisely why the Bible has so much to say about it. See Philippians 3:17 and 4:9. Read 1 Thessalonians 1:6, 7 and 2 Thessalonians 3:7–9.

For any of us to successfully influence someone else, we must live a life that is worth emulating. That is where a soul-winning ministry begins, with the lifestyle of the soul-winner.  And that is why your example is so crucial. Therefore, one of your primary responsibilities as a disciple is to set the right kind of example. You must teach and live the truth, talk about truth and exemplify truth, talk and walk the truth, explain and exhibit the truth, led by precept and practice, led by lip and life. The spiritual principles you want to teach must first be practiced by you.

VALUE OF AN EXAMPLE

An example is a powerful agent of change. Nothing in the world will bring about change in someone’s conduct like an example. We acquire new patterns of behaviour by watching the example of others.

Animals acquire new behavioural patterns in the same way.  A monkey was placed in a situation in which she could observe the behaviour of a woman. Here are the interesting results:  After about 16 months of age she began to imitate such bits of household routine as dusting furniture and washing dishes and clothes.

Before she was two years old, she appropriated a lipstick, stood in front of a mirror by climbing on the wash-basin, and applied the cosmetic—not at random, but to her mouth. She then pressed her lips together and smoothed the colour with her finger, just as she had seen the act performed.

What a wonderful effect an example has. The same effect is seen in a teaching relationship. We see the Christian life is possible when we see it lived by others. Sometimes we get discouraged, grow weary, and lose heart in the battle.  We wonder if there is any hope that we will mature. At such times we need to think of those who have gone before us, setting the example in consistency of walk and steadfastness. There are probably several people that you know whose lives have been a motivation and encouragement to you, just as your life will be a motivation to the ones you teach.

We learn to follow the Lord by following the Lord’s people. Sometimes when I find myself in a tough situation, I wonder what would such and such a person do. God has given us godly examples. Sometimes people say, “Do not follow men, and follow God. Keep your eyes on Christ and His pattern for living.” It is true that we are to follow only Christ and His pattern for life, but Christ’s pattern for living is found in many Christian men and women. Therefore, one way to follow God is to follow someone else through whom God is walking.

CONCLUSION

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.     (Romans 12:1-2 NKJV)

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