December 30 | Standing for a Cultural Revolution

Series | The Life of Revival

Scripture | Proverbs 29:2, “When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; when the wicked rule, the people groan.”

Lesson 30 | Standing for a Cultural Revolution

The definition of a cultural revolution is, “the inward turning of a society’s value system to the commands of God resulting in the forsaking of sin for the righteousness of God in the culture as a whole,” Jonah 3:7-10, Acts 8:4-8, & Acts 19:19.  In other words, when Christians live like Christ everywhere they go everyone in a society is positively impacted.  This cultural shift may move slowly like it does currently in China with the underground house church movement or fast like it has in the African nations of Kenya and Uganda.  Fast or slow, it is impossible for a culture to stay the same when Christians fully live out their daily lives as disciples of Christ.

Within 300 years of Jesus’ ascension and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit the Roman Empire became a Christian nation.  Though marrying the state with the church resulted in some harmful experiences for both Roman citizens and clergy, however, the truth still remains that Jesus brought Rome to its knees.  Also, during the founding of the United States of America, currently the most powerful and wealthiest nation in the world, the Bible was the main source for civil laws, rights and liberties, schools and universities, governmental structures, and economic policies. 

America’s founding President George Washington in his first Thanksgiving Proclamation in 1789 boldly declared over the newly founded nation, “that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech him to pardon our national and other transgressions-- to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually--to render our national government a blessing to all the people, by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed--to protect and guide all Sovereigns and Nations (especially such as have shewn kindness unto us) and to bless them with good government, peace, and concord--To promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue and the encrease of science among them and us--and generally to grant unto all Mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as he alone knows to be best.”

Therefore, if nations and cultures turn away from God and His virtue as the U.S. has done we can only expect to suffer harm and punishment.  The reason why Americans are plagued with violence and corruption is because we have left the solid foundation of God for the sandy ways of men.  However, when the lights go out in your house you don’t curse the darkness and expect change.  Rather you change the light bulb.  In the same way, we cannot curse the wickedness of our culture and expect change we must change our values and shine like the lights Jesus made us to be. 

Certainly, we should allow for people’s personal freedoms (live and let live) but I believe that when the church displays the power and love God in their daily lives the majority of people will choose again to follow the ways of God in their own free will.  And just like Washington prayed we will “promote the practice of true religion and virtue!” 

Here are three ways to stand for a cultural revolution: (1) Live your life for God in such a way that people around you will want the kind of life you possess; (2) Practice the values of your faith in everything you do- on the job, when you vote, with your neighbors, etc.; and lastly, (3) Pray for God to change the hearts of people so they will see beauty of His ways.  May His Kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven! 

     

Reflection | Do you believe God can transform your culture?   

Action | (1) Explain from the Bible why you should stand for a cultural revolution.  (2) Pray that God will use you to reach out to people in your everyday life with the salvation, wisdom, and power of God.  (3) Lastly, for more information regarding standing for a cultural revolution read the following books, “Revolution in the Church,” by Michael Brown and “Turn the World Upside Down,” by Michael Maiden.

One Year Reading Plan (Optional) | Malachi 1:1-2:17, Revelation 21:1-27, Psalm 149:1-9, & Proverbs 31:10-24. Click here to read online.