But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God's very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light. 1Peter 2: 9 (NLT)
What does this verse call on us to do as believers? SHOW others the goodness of God. But modern western Christianity is determined to bring the world the morality of Christianity instead of the goodness of God. How does this continue to happen in light of the clear direction from Scripture? Because the enemy is very good at what he does. He gets us distracted.
From the days of the first century Corinthian church until today the devil is always getting us to look at the level of sin in the world as a means to get us to not look at ourselves. Modern day church sermons are often geared to make us feel better about ourselves when we ought to feel worse and realize that it is only through the blood of Jesus Christ that we have any righteousness at all.
And so, dear brothers and sisters, we can boldly enter
heaven's
Are we supposed to try and positively affect the culture we live in? Of course but with our deeds, not our words:
"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. Matthew 5: 14-16
So they may see your good deeds. Too often we have things backwards in the church. When it comes to the world, we are quick to deal in judgment but when it comes to our brothers and sisters, we claim "who am I to judge?" This mindset is often defended by misunderstanding Matthew Chapter Seven, which reads:
"Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Matthew 7: 1-2
