Culture Centered or Christ Centered

I have to admit that we are in a bit of a dilemma here in America. Much of the world views the American life style with envy and disdain. They see us as rich and arrogant and yet we are usually the world's Fema for disaster relief. We are a rich nation and we try to be gracious with what we have but the perception is still there. We have a lot of stuff. We are busy with our stuff. Even the most modest in social economic status is burdened with too much stuff. We are driven by economics in our life style. Our welfare recipients have it so much better than the rest of the poor around the world.

Everyone seems to enjoy getting on the bandwagon to ridicule America but most would love to live here. It's hard for the world to love the American. How does God love the American? Does He view us as an arrogant, pompous people just out for ourselves. I would really love to know how and why God loves us because that's the kind of heart that I want to have for my fellow American. There is a church in the book of Revelations 3 called Laodicea that God admonishes because of their pride in their wealth but He does give them a way out of their dilemma.

To the Church in Laodicea "To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God's creation. I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."

As I read this scripture I do notice some very interesting points of interest.

1. Wealth may be the cause of the "Luke Warm" status of so many Christians in this country.
2. We need new spiritual apparel to cover our embarrassing nakedness
3. We need salve for our eyes so that we can see what's really going on
4. He loves us! That's why he rebukes us!

The Lord is angry at anything that separates us from Him. He isn't anymore angry at us because we are wealthy. He knows our dilemma. We don't. We are blinded by our culture many times and cannot see the Lord. He wants us to repent from this and get some new clothes and a new pair of spiritual glasses. Once we get fitted in our new digs then we can overcome the American lifestyle with a new life style as bond servants to our King. We can then live in our culture with influence and adjust our priorities. Until then we will surely be Culture centered and not Christ centered. We cannot do this alone. We need each other. A grass roots effort for this kind of change could actually unify Christians in America and help our country as well.