Series: NewNew
Acts 15:7-9 ESV
I John 1:5 ESV
I John 4:16 ESV
Psalm 19:1-4 EEB
John 1:14 ESV
John 3:16-18 MSG
On the Eve of any new year we usually take some time to celebrate the old and consider the new. Growing up it was common for us to speculate about what the new year would bring.
We also often make resolutions related to the new year.
When I was in graduate school (seminary) I learned that each culture on earth has its own identifiers.
For example in the United States sociologists have categorized Americans as being forward thinking. When I learned that it made sense to me. After all, in the big scheme of things we are the new kid on the block.
On the eve of a New Year we tend to look and plan ahead.
Even so, it seems like in the time period preceding those who came to the new world the Indians held onto traditions of their tribes. Indigenous people in North America were not one tribe but they were from many tribes and they lived in their own chosen places.
When the Europeans landed everything changed. Those who came were explorers who were forward thinking. Even the settlers who came during the first 200 years were looking forward to something new.
The Constitution of the United States was ratified on June 21, 1788 and that began a new era for the United States.
In comparison to other countries the United States is very young. For example, there is evidence that China dates back to 7000 B.C.E.
It’s no surprise (at least to me) that the culture in the United States differs greatly from the culture in China because it’s based on each society. It’s also important to note that while the type and formation of government in a country can be changed intentionally by the people the culture itself is made up of various natural elements. For example, organization and structure of the people is often a matter of evolution. Language (or languages) in a culture is a driving force. Customs and traditions vary. Literature and the arts play a role. The type of government and economic system impact the culture. For all of those reasons culture is complex.
One of my favorite areas of study in college was Communication and Culture. I learned to look at the history and formation of the culture because they do tell a story.
Religion in a culture is a major factor. Religion impacts a system of beliefs and the practice of religion is based on beliefs and rituals. A Judeo-Christian culture shares similarity of beliefs and practices. As we read scripture we can begin to see that the disciples of Jesus had a rich cultural history. The Hebrew people became known as the people of Yahweh God. Beginning in Genesis 12 it becomes clear that God is preparing the children of God for redemption. Even though we (they) were rebellious, God chose (chooses) to redeem them. Jesus and all of his disciples were Jewish and the way they thought and practiced faith was deeply rooted in the Hebrew culture.
But God opened the door to the Gentiles. In Acts 15:7-9 Peter said, “And after there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, “Brothers, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe. And God, who knows the heart, bore witness to them, by giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us, and he made no distinction between us and them, having cleansed their hearts by faith.”
The nature and character of God has not changed through the years. I John 1:5 says, “God is light, in Him there is no darkness at all.”
I John 4:16 says, “we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.”
The light and resulting love of God is made evident through the glory and beauty of creation. We are told in Psalm 19:1-4:
“The heavens show us how great God is. The sky above shows his good work.
Each day speaks about God, until the next day continues the story. Every night tells us how great God is.
They do not use words to speak with. Nobody hears their voice.
But their message goes round all the earth. All the world can understand what they say.”
At the prescribed time God blessed the world and everything changed. John 1:14 reveals, “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
John 3:16-18 says, “This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God didn’t go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again. Anyone who trusts in him is acquitted; anyone who refuses to trust him has long since been under the death sentence without knowing it. And why? Because of that person’s failure to believe in the one-of-a-kind Son of God when introduced to him.”
In the Judeo-Christian culture we were given the freedom to make choices because Jesus’ continuous forgiveness was offered to all. God’s forgiveness, light and love made all things new.
So you might ask, in the big scheme of the world why does that matter?
It matters because the earth is shaking and crying out for help.
The globe is crying out for redemption. God IS God and we do not need to defend God. It is God who will make all things new.
When that happens we cannot be certain our culture will not change. That’s because God is God. God is all light. God is love. God is great and is good.
It is God and God alone who makes all things new for all people.
Spiritual Practice: Receive God
Receive God’s love and light.
In God, Deborah
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