No More Taboo: Addressing Racism and Culture in the ChurchSample

Day 4: “Christ“-ians vs ”I”-ians, pt.2

The apostle Peter almost missed a poignant shift and transition in his ministry by adamantly focusing on his culture. His uncommon appetite nearly caused him to disobey the common commission of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Peter, when caught in a trance with God, was willing to dismiss the powerful vision he had been given—a vision of all manner of four-footed beasts and creeping and crawling things being let down on a great sheet, signifying a universal Gospel reach. Peter's cultural diet almost robbed him of his next level in life and ministry. 

He had rather eaten kosher the remainder of his ministry (minister to only those that looked and worshipped like him) than to present the Gospel to men and women across the universe—men and women whom he and the law deemed unclean. However, God deemed those same men and women chosen and clean. Jesus fulfilled and superseded the Mosaic law with His teachings and commission. Therefore, Peter should have had no objection to this vision from God. 

I do not believe any of us are willing to risk losing a universal, Kingdom-impacting reward because of an attachment to tradition and culture. While all tradition may not be inherently evil or bad, the Christian believer must avoid championing a tradition that would negatively impact another’s walk with Christ. I am not encouraging the forfeiture of a tradition that does not violate scriptural principles. 

However, if another believer, or would-be believer, could be negatively affected by it, we should consider not exercising our cherished traditions. I.e. If, by tradition, my family practices celebratIng a certain holiday, and another believer perceives it as foul or not in accordance with the nature of Christ, I’d rather lose my celebratory practices than put in jeopardy a brother or sister’s walk with Christ.

May we all remember that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is to have universal application and access. 

Reflection:

What can I do to ensure that my cultural attachments are not above my Kingdom attachment? When others see me, is my cultural identity more prevalent than my Kingdom identity? 

Prayer:: Lord, today, I want to resemble all that You are. When the world and my brothers and sisters observe my life, may they observe the Light that is Christ shining brighter than the light that is culture.