A NEW CULTURE

“Now the LORD had said to Abram: “Get out of your country, from your family and from your father’s house, to a land that I will show you.” ~ Genesis 12:1

REFERENCE: 

Genesis 12:1-8

We concluded yesterday that the culture in which one lives can greatly influence him positively or negatively; hence the need to be mindful to guard your heart and mind. Paul said, “We should not let the world around us squeeze us into its mold;” although we are in this world, as believers, we are not of this world. So, how do you live free of the perversion and decadence in our world?

Separation! Abram lived in Ur of the Chaldees at a time when idolatry was rife in the land. God had a plan for him but his country, his kindred and his father’s house were a constant temptation to him; remaining with them would put him in danger of being infected by the culture and render him unfit for God’s use. So, God told him to get out with speed. You also must mentally ‘get out’ from the world system, knowing that your portion is not therein. You must see your life as useful to God but unfit if polluted by a culture of perversion. God cannot do much with a dirty vessel.

Intentional Association! To avoid being polluted by a perverse culture, you must be deliberate in your associations and relationships. Abram was to leave the land of Ur in order to connect with a new set of people; some would later descend from him. In fact, his mistake to take Lot along with him almost ruined him. Later in Genesis 24:8, he warned his servant under an oath to not take his son back to Ur. Bad company corrupts good morals; the people you hang out with determine a lot how you turn out. So, choose your friends, spouse, and even business associates carefully.

God’s Word! Abram’s life changed because God spoke to him in the land of Ur. God extracted him from his idolatrous culture by His word. In that word, Abram saw the need to live differently from his culture; he saw what God would do in his life, and he saw what God would give him – if only he would follow Him. It takes the word to cleanse us from our culture’s filth and to show us the prospects of a life lived unto God. The word empowers us to live for God, it enriches us and fills us with a vision for a better tomorrow in God. It is also a standard by which you can measure your culture and association if they please God. II Peter 1:4 says, “God made great and marvelous promises, so his nature would become part of us. Then we could escape our evil desires and the corrupt influences of this world.” (CEV)

Imagine what Abram would have been if he remained in Ur. Imagine how you may turn out if you do not separate yourself from the corruption of today’s culture? God started a new culture with Abram, He wants to start afresh with you also, and He’s calling you to come out of your ‘Ur’ and head out to ‘Canaan.’ Come out of vulgar talks, indecency, dirty online videos and compromising friendships; purge your phone contact list and get ready for a new culture. Because God loves you, He will not allow you to be at rest anywhere short of your Canaan. He will keep calling you until the good work He started in you is completed. He is calling you out; He wants to take you in.

PHOTO QUOTE:

ADDITIONAL TEXTS:

Psalm 45:10-11, II Corinthians 6:17-18 & Revelation 18:4

PRAYERS:

+ Father, I receive the grace to separate myself from every unfruitful association/friendship. I do away with materials (text, audio or video) that corrupt my mind and make me unfit for God’s use.

+ Let Your word locate me in my current state and relocate me to my glorious destiny in Christ.