H<\/span>ow should we respond<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0to the cultural changes in Western society exemplified, for example, by the decision this week regarding marriage handed down by the Supreme Court of the United States? While delighting many, it is a decision that stands against, not just the Bible, but the natural order of the world. How, we ask ourselves, can we make our voice heard?<\/span><\/p>\n We tend to forget<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0that the New Testament times were not dissimilar to our own. In his\u00a0First Letter<\/em>, Peter the Apostle, for example, was writing to followers of Jesus Christ who were suffering or about to suffer severe persecution for their faith. Their world was marked by narcissism and self-interest. Sexually decadent, it was an age of entertainment and alcohol.<\/span><\/p>\n People to whom Peter was writing were the victims of oppression. They were living under one of the most powerful and ruthless dictatorships in history, the Roman Empire. They had no vote and no free speech. Yet the gospel of Jesus Christ triumphed.<\/span><\/p>\n Let\u2019s pause to consider what\u00a0Jesus taught<\/strong>. In response to a question about marriage and divorce (Mark 10:6-8), he brought together Genesis 1:27:\u00a0Male and female God created them<\/em>, and Genesis 2:24:\u00a0For this reason a man shall leave… and cleave to his wife\u00a0<\/em>(woman<\/em>)\u00a0and the two shall become one flesh<\/em>. Jesus underlined the male-female nature of the marital\/sexual bond.<\/span><\/p>\n So, how should we respond when we feel we have no power and no opportunity? In 1 Peter 2:12 we read:<\/span><\/p>\n Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.<\/em><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n With his words\u00a0the\u00a0day God visits us<\/em>\u00a0Peter is referring to the Day of Jesus\u2019 return. On that day, he is saying, unbelievers who have slandered God\u2019s people will glorify God.<\/span><\/p>\n Good conduct, godly behavior, will not often draw the applause of the crowds. We only need to reflect on the way Christians are mocked today, not just on television shows, but in the social media. Yet, Peter is saying, \u2018stand firm with your new way of living. Yes, there will be times when you are slandered and falsely accused, but the very consistency of your life may result in the salvation of others.\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n Consciously following the prescriptions that the Lord Jesus has laid down for our lives is not only good for us, but our new way of living provides opportunity for people around us to discover God\u2019s good news. Our changed and changing lives challenge others \u2013 not least when it comes to the matter of marriage.<\/span><\/p>\n Indeed, Peter goes on with a word to wives about the way they might reach unbelieving husbands:<\/span><\/p>\n so that\u2026 they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives \u2013 when they see your respectful and pure conduct\u00a0<\/em>(3:1-2).<\/em><\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Now, he is not saying people are converted by seeing the good works of God\u2019s people<\/strong>. Back in 1:12 he states that we become God\u2019s people only when we respond in repentance and faith to God\u2019s gospel of grace. People\u00a0glorify God<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0(2:12) because they have seen the difference in the lives of God\u2019s people and they\u2019ve been drawn to the faith that has brought about that change.<\/span><\/p>\n The tough question we need to ask ourselves is, \u2018What does my life look like to others?\u2019 And if we are married, \u2018What does my marriage look like to others?\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" CHRISTIAN RESPONSE ow should we respond\u00a0to the cultural changes in Western society exemplified, for example, by the decision this week regarding marriage handed down by the Supreme Court of the United States? While delighting many, it is a decision that stands against, not just the Bible, but the natural order of the world. How, we […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":572,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-271","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-word-on-wednesday"],"yoast_head":"\nOPPORTUNITY<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
OPPOSITION<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
CHANGING LIVES FOR GOOD<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
THE CHALLENGE<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n