Paul called believers to be all things to all people. So many times, this is translated into a call for cultural relevance. I have heard individuals take that principle to the extreme, crying out for a partier to the partiers, an experience to reach the experienced. That is neither biblical, nor beneficial.
When they catch a whiff of the aroma of Christ, to some it will be a stumbling block. Not that we are thusly to be incendiary and intentionally cause others to stumble--we are to live in harmony with all men as far as it concerns us. And we are to bring them the good news, to let our lives be evidence so that people will be ashamed of themselves when they try to fault us.
So whether we are culturally relevant or counter cultural is not in and of itself the point. Obedience to the whole of our calling, our purpose, our commission--that is the purpose. To know God, glorify, love and enjoy him in intentional lives well-spent here and now, so that that we may do so forever.
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. --Romans 12:1-2
Tonight, we were both culturally relevant and countercultural. We didn't have to draw attention to how different we were from our peers with strange attire or esoteric language. We were comfortable and casual, appropriately dressed for our age and environment. We didn't have to try to mesh with a perception of social acceptability by pursuing mindless entertainment in provocative minidresses and going crazy. We drank coffee at Kaladi Brother's in midtown, read the Bible chapters together for this week, consulted R.C. Sproul, looked up cross-referential passages to shed light on our questions, and prayed for God's guidance in our reading and in our lives. We chatted and bid each other good-night. No pressure, nothing awkward or ostentatious. Just 90 minutes of accepting the place and time we have been given, pursuing a ministry of reconciliation--helping others to come to realize that they, too, must be reconciled to God and to each other--and of love. We love them because God loves us; they can love others because God loves them and because we loved them because God loved us. A simple domino effect of love, obedience and reconciliation. Although, really, given the state of the world and its natural proclivities...it is a little crazy.
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