There are way too many believers who do not hold a Christian worldview. And when I say Christian I am referring to a Biblical worldview. Because so many have adopted a secular humanist worldview, the Christian world in the United States is loosing the battle for morality. We need to hear again the words of Romans 12:2 NKJV “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.”
To be conformed to the world, means that you think like the world, that you have the views of the world, and the value systems of the world. We should not be open to the thinking around us, but rather our minds need to be renewed.
In this article you will discover three powerful questions:
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DO YOU HAVE A CHRISTIAN WORLD VIEW?
There is a war that is going on around us. You may not even be aware of it, but it is happening. Some call it a culture war. I call it a spiritual war. It has been going on a long time, for centuries and decades. Sadly, our nation along with many other nations in our world is moving further and further away from a solid understanding of biblical truth. Values are changing. Homes are changing. Peoples views of right and wrong are changing. What people believe about sexuality is changing. The type of home life and family life that people desire is changing. And frankly, the church of Jesus Christ is changing.
If we went back in time about 100 years, most of the United States of America had what is known as a biblical world view. While many people even in that day, chose to live their lives outside of the kingdom of God, at least they did understand of what was right and what was wrong. But in the last 100 years, we have seen a huge cultural shift. It has not really been good for our culture and our world. It has not been good for the church. Here is the issue: People have lost their sense of morality. It has brought devastation, problems, and heartache to many. I want to be honest. It scares me to think about the next generation. What kind of a world will my grandkids and great grandkids inherit? We need to get back to having a Biblical Christian Worldview.
In her book Not Open – Win the Invisible Spiritual Culture War Lisa Cherry states that only 1 percent of this generation have a Christian worldview. What has happened to cause us to lose our biblical worldview? She also states that the Barna research group has defined a biblical worldview as one that includes the following six points:
If you are a Christian, is this what you believe?
- Absolute moral truth exists.
As we look at these six points, this is the big one. Right is right and wrong is wrong. Most Millennials today would tell you that truth is whatever fits their own ideas. If there is no absolute moral truth, then I can do whatever I want. I can have sex with whoever I want. I can live however I want. I don’t have to answer to anyone or anything or any God ever. Because there is no absolute moral truth.
It may sound old-fashioned, but I still believe that the bible clearly tells us how to live our lives. Somethings are right. Somethings are wrong. Sin is sin and if God says its sin, then He is right. I stand today for the Word of God. It clearly tells us how to think. It tells us that our minds must be renewed. There is a right and there is a wrong and that there is an absolute moral standard of truth. I still believe in the Bible as the inerrant, infallible, inspired Word of Almighty God.
- The Bible is totally accurate in all of the principles that it teaches.
Today’s generation does not believe that. Many people in today’s world automatically dismiss the Word of God by saying, it is too strict, too narrow, to harsh, to judgmental. It has somehow been changed, or it needs to be changed for a modern world. And they write it off. Most have never even read it. If you have a Christian worldview you should believe that the Bible is totally accurate in all of the principles that it teaches.
- Satan is a real being or force, not merely symbolic.
Much of our world rejects the idea of a fallen angel by the name of Lucifer, who has lifted his heart in rebellion against God. This angelic being that is now fallen led a rebellion in heaven taking with him one third of the angels. Those fallen angels are now demons and they work to influence our culture and our society for evil. Only one in 100 millennials believe this. But yet that is the biblical truth.
- People cannot earn their way into heaven by trying to be good or by doing good works.
This has to do with a proper understanding of the gospel. I don’t care how moral of a person you are. It doesn’t matter how many good works you do. The only reason, heaven opens its door for you is because of what Jesus Christ has done for you. The biblical view of mankind is not that all men are good. This word teaches all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. It teaches that all men are depraved and that every single person needs a Savior. His name is Jesus. You can’t earn your way in. You can’t work hard enough to get in. But yet if you ask people this question on the street today. Why will God let you into his heaven, the great majority will say, Because I am a good person.
- Jesus Christ lived a sinless life on earth.
Can I just clear up something? Someone a few years ago came up with a ridiculous lie about Jesus in order to write a book and make big bucks on a movie. That lie was that Jesus had an affair and children, with Mary Magdalene. That is ridiculous. Jesus was tempted in all ways like we are yet without sin. The reason why our culture wants to believe that Jesus sinned is because if Jesus sinned, then I can sin too.
- God is the all-knowing, all-powerful creator of the world and still rules the universe today.
This is absolutely true. God is the creator of the universe. God is in charge of the universe. If you want to know is going to happen in the future, you can read the Word of God and it will tell you. Most people just believe that world is out there spinning on its own. It is all just nature. No, that is not true! The sovereign God still rules and He has an agenda for this world. Most people look at you like you are crazy if you tell them that the bible predicts what is going to happen in the future. And yet a Christian worldview should understand that God still rules and reigns. We are losing the war for the hearts and the minds of this generation. So we have to take this issue a step further. Let’s make it personal.
- HAS YOUR MIND BEEN MORE INFLUENCED BY THE WORLD OR BY THE WORD OF GOD?
How is it that the church has had such precious little influence in our world that today a biblical Christian world view is only held by one percent of the young generation. Are we participants in this war or not? Here is what I think. I think that the church is allowing too much influence from the outside and precious little influence from the Word and we are losing the invisible spiritual culture war. Can I just say that this message has to become more than just a commentary on what young folks think. This has to do with you and me. Right? This isn’t about them. It is about us. Let me ask you:
Do you stand for truth and righteousness?
How are we doing as those who have been caught up in the silent spiritual cultural wars that we are living in?
I wonder have we allowed our minds to be open in areas where our minds should be not open?
Is your mind open or not open?
How is it that even many in the church today, don’t even understand a Biblical worldview?
I wonder today about the influenced of 1000’s of tv shows, 100’s of movies, multiple dozens of popular songs we have heard, if that has not influenced us away from God’s truth. These things influence our minds. If you don’t believe that, then you need a real education. I hope you realize that movies, music and cultural expressions actually are teaching values, principles and morals. One time I was invited to a house to watch a movie with friends. This was years ago, and something in the was happening and it was teaching contrary to the Word. I interrupted everyone to say. That is not true. That is a satanic lie. I probably spoiled the movie for some, but we can’t sit idly by in silence while our kids are being brainwashed!
How firm are you in holding to the absolute moral truth of the Bible? Let’s go deeper. When it comes to your family, your kids, your neighbors, are you willing to tell them the truth? Or are you just silent? Are you willing to say that what you are doing is not right according to the Word of God? Or have you like so many changed the wording from saying, “That is a sin in the eyes of God.” To “Maybe that isn’t the best decision”? Well, I don’t want to drive people away. I try to soften things a little bit. I try not to be so strong and so tough on certain areas. Let me go deeper. Are there areas of the word, where you know you have compromised? Take a moment and think about these questions, because it is all affecting you and this world we live in.
Here is what we have done.
In our effort to be…
Open
Tolerant
Relevant
Non-judgmental
And accepted, I think many have compromised what they once believed. Culture has demanded we accept their views on morality, family, love and spirituality and their interpretation of God’s word. If we don’t, guess what? We are going to be branded as…
Intolerant
Judgmental
Old fashioned
Hard-headed
Out of touch with a modern world.
Wouldn’t it be better to hold to a Christian worldview that has the Bible as a basis? This message is a challenge to you sir. This message is a challenge to not only understand the bible to live it out in every way possible.
- ARE YOU LIVING AS “LOT” WHO WAS “OPEN” OR “NOAH” WHO WAS “CLOSED”?
Now, with all that in mind, I want to paint a picture for you of two families who lived in a world that was very much like the one we live in. Both biblical families are people who were Godly, and even righteous. And both had the unfortunate experience of living in a very wicked world. These families are found in the Old Testament in the book of Genesis. I want to contrast their lives today. I want to talk to you about Noah and about Lot. Let’s begin with…
- Lot – Open
Lot was a man who I would say for the purpose of this article was Open. I personally think that the story of Lot is one of the saddest bible stories that is even found in the bible. You see, as Abraham’s nephew, Lot had heard about the God of heaven. He even followed Him. There is no doubt that in his association with Abraham that he heard of and seen many of the blessings of God. The scripture even calls Lot righteous. 2 Peter 2:8 “(for that righteous man, dwelling among them, tormented his righteous soul from day to day by seeing and hearing their lawless deeds)—”
Abraham and Lot leave Haran together and there came a day when God had blessed Abraham and Lot so much that they had a conversation and they said to one another that it is time to separate and go our separate ways. We have too many sheep. Abraham said to Lot, which way are you going to go? Genesis 13:10-11 “And Lot lifted his eyes and saw all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered everywhere (before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah) like the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt as you go toward Zoar. Then Lot chose for himself all the plain of Jordan…”
I mean, Lot was an open-minded type of a person. He had been around long enough to know the well-watered plain would produce sheep that were fat and healthy. That would be good for the sheep business. Think of the money. It would be good for him. It would be good for his family.
So first, he chose the well-watered plain. Then in Genesis 13:12-3 KJV we find this incredible statement. “ Abram dwelt in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelt in the cities of the plain and pitched his tent even as far as Sodom. But the men of Sodom were exceedingly wicked and sinful against the Lord.” Lot’s tent was now toward Sodom. Sure, Sodom was an evil city but why not, you have to have an open mind.
Okay, so first he chose the plain, now his tent is toward what God has called an exceedingly wicked and sinful place. So, let’s follow this a little further. Just a few chapters later in Genesis 19:1 “Now the two angels came to Sodom in the evening, and Lot was sitting in the gate of Sodom.”
Now you have to know a little bit about what that means historically. To sit in the gate of the city means that you are now considered to be one of the leaders of the town. One of the elders. Wait…in your open mindedness. You chose the plain for business. You pitch your tent close to Sodom, probably also for business. Now you are actually living in Sodom, and acting as elder in the city gate. Well you have to be open.
Lot’s openness had a powerful and a huge negative effect upon his wife, his children, and his family. It would have been better for Lot, had he moved his tent to farthest place in that valley away from this wicked city. I don’t know if you know the story or not that happens in Genesis 19. But the bible doesn’t soft sell this story.
These two angels we just read about had come to see the wickedness of the city and to warn Lot and his family to flee. Lot winds up taking them into his house to protect them because he knew how evil the city was. And in the night, the men of the city who were homosexuals, come to Lots house and say, send out the two men that are with you in there, so we can as the word says, know them carnally. I think you know what that means. And Lot says to these men. Look don’t do this thing! He makes a statement that has baffled bible readers for centuries. Here are my two daughters who haven’t yet known a man. I will send them out to you, and you do to them what you want.
And the men of the city say to Lot. Who does he think he is? This guy comes in here and now he is acting as judge, we will do worse to you. And they start to break down the door. Lot is standing there. The angel steps in and they strike the men with blindness. And pull Lot back in and then the give the order. Get your family out of here. God is going to destroy this place. He is going to rain fire and brimstone on this place.
Finally, the next morning, to make a long story short, the angels took them all by the hand, Lot, his wife, his two daughters and led them out of the city. And told them, don’t look back, God is going to destroy the city. They all, by the mercy of God, were able to flee. And God destroyed that city by fire and brimstone.
But you see that open type of an attitude toward the world had a powerful effect on Lot’s family. Even Lots wife. Even in the New Testament it tells us Remember Lot’s wife. We know that Lot’s wife looked back. Why? Her heart was in that city. Do you recall what happened? She was turned into a pillar of salt.
It also affected his two daughters. They wound up living apart from others and so that they could have children, they hatched an evil plan. They got their father drunk, slept with him. And they had children by him, and those children grew up and their ancestors became Moab and Ammon, who were some of the most wicked people and Israel’s enemies for generations.
How did Lot’s family get so messed up? How did Lot even in his mind think to say, Here take my daughters? Let me tell you what happened. Even though his righteous soul was tormented by all that he saw in that city. All that openness towards the wicked in that city, even though it was good for business, destroyed this family. Why? Because what was once abominable became normal. In the end, Lot lost his family.
I don’t want to live my life like a Lot. I am just not open to certain things. The older I get, the more I see the danger in being open in my thinking. I would rather live my life in the fear of God. I would rather live my life serving God. That is why we need a Christian worldview that includes an understanding of biblical morality or many families are going to end up just like Lot.
Well what about Noah?
- Noah – Not Open
I want to call Noah a person who was not open to the culture at large. Let me read to you what Noah’s day was like. Genesis 6:5 “Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” I can tell you that without a doubt ever form of sinfulness known to mankind was going on in those days. I don’t think I have to prepare a long list. Drunkenness, lustfulness, violence, murder. Genesis 6:11-12 “The earth also was corrupt before God, and the earth was filled with violence. So God looked upon the earth, and indeed it was corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted their way on the earth.”
But somehow there was this man by the name of Noah. And the bible describes him like this in Genesis 6:9 “Noah was a just man, perfect in his generations. Noah walked with God.” I do not believe that Noah was a participant in the evil that was around him. He was not open. Like Enoch of old, he walked with God. You don’t really find a lot of biblical content where Noah was among the people, doing business with them.
He was a man who kept his family away from all of the stuff that was going on. He was just. That means he was righteous. For that generation, he was living a life that was separated. And we know that God came to him with a warning. We don’t understand exactly how that happened. God let him in on His plans. He said, I am going to destroy this earth with a universal flood. The fountains of the deep are going to break up. The clouds which in those days were continually above the earth. He said, the clouds are going to rain. He said, I want you to build an ark. Now let me tell you, that was not an easy undertaking. It took him 120 years of difficult and backbreaking and hard labor. There was no hesitation in Noah. He believed God completely and obeyed God completely.
I can imagine that he was also the object of a lot of ridicule. What are you building? You must be crazy to spend your life building this thing you call an ark. And you tell us that its going to rain and yet it never has done that. Who are you? You must be a nut! You mean God talked to you? Noah was an object of ridicule.
I want you to understand something. Noah wanted to save his family. Sometimes having a Christian worldview may get you criticized but in the end it will help you save your family. Hebrew 11:7 says, “By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household…” When it came to world’s influences in his life, Noah might as well have put out a shingle that said, “Not Open”. He might as well have said, I am not open to the way this culture thinks. I am not open to participate in your sinful ways. I am not open to doubt what God has said. I am not open enough to allow your ridicule and your making fun of me to stop me from doing what I need to do. He said, I believe what God told me. I am preparing an ark for the saving of my household.
You cannot help but live in this world. That is the only choice you have. This world has a different view. I am calling you today to stand for a Christian worldview. I am calling for you today to consider your life for a moment. Are you open or not open?
I am open. Open to God. Open to the Spirit. Open to the Word. But I am not open to the false philosophies and reasoning and ways of the world.
