" And so Jesus also suffered outside the city gate to make the people holy through his own blood. Let us, then, go to him outside the camp, bearing the disgrace he bore"
Hebrews13:12,13
Last time we looked at what this phrase "outside the camp" might have meant to the church that received the letter/sermon of Hebrews. Today let's take it to the 21st century and meditate on what it means to us as followers of Christ in a Bible believing church experiencing the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and the freedom found in Christ.
First of all, if we are following Christ we will "bear the disgrace He bore".
"In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted" 2Tim 3:12
“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. Remember what I told you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the one who sent me." John 15:18-21
"They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you." 1Peter 4:4
"Do not be surprised, my brothers and sisters, if the world hates you." 1John 3:13
Hebrews 13 tells us that it is because we go "outside the camp" as Jesus followers. We live counter-cultural lives which not only is offensive because it is in effect telling those inside the camp or the world's system that we think they are wrong in their lifestyle, but also is just plain odd to them in a way that the "cool kids" in High School pick on the nerds. This book concludes with 7 areas where we are counter-cultural.
1."Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters" vs.1 - We break down all cultural barriers and treat people that are nothing like us as brothers and sisters because we share a common brother, Jesus, if we are saved. Our best friends may be a different race, from a different socio-economic status and the world doesn't do that.
2. " Continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison" vs 3. We remember the disenfranchised, the down-trodden, the weak, powerless, the scorned because we are all equal at the foot of the cross. We don't mind if our property value is going down because societal rejects are moving in because our property is in Heaven. We remember and stand for the immigrants, aliens and unborn. (who else is more helpless than them?)
3. "Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral." vs 4. We have a Biblical view on marriage - one man and woman bound for life in matrimony, and we have a Biblical view on sexuality - it is monogamous and reserved for marriage. The world doesn't subscribe to this.
4. "Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have" vs 5. We focus on our needs, not our wants, and when those are met give away the rest. We don't build up our treasures on Earth but rather in Heaven. While the rest of society is caught up in the comparison trap, we live a #nofilter life.
5. "Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you" vs 7. While the rest of society is going to the lake on Sunday morning, we value going to church and listening to someone teaching the Bible to us.
6." let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name" vs. 15 We talk about Jesus in public. Talking about God is tolerated but "Jesus" is an offense. The world says don't talk about religion in public. We do
7." Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority" vs 17 We believe in an authority and submission scheme as illustrated by Jesus who though He was equal with the Father submitted to Him. This applies to us in the family, marriage, church, and work. Submission is a four letter word in our society.
As we live counter-cultural lives, we will be persecuted - we will be excluded or considered peculiar and that's OK because we aren't trying to please the world but our Father in Heaven. We don't belong here - we are ambassadors. Aliens.
Therefore - 2 words of advice. 1) Don't be discouraged when it happens. It's a sign that you are on the right path. 2) Don't compromise to be accepted by the world. In so many areas we don't want to appear odd so we compromise. We accept evolution when that isn't what the Bible teaches. We approve gay marriage when that isn't what the Bible teaches. We become pro choice to look enlightened. We let women be in authority in Churches not to look misogynistic. Now you can make a case for some of the above but you have to ask yourself "Am I doing this so I'm more accepted by the world?" And you may be doing it for what you think are good reasons - "If I am less odd or offensive, maybe I can lead more people to Christ." Just remember, you can compromise on everything to break down barriers until you get to the final barrier that can't be removed - the gospel - You are sinful and headed towards Hell unless you repent and turn to Jesus the only way you can get to Heaven. Jesus is the ultimate stone that makes men stumble. The "Scandalon". In the end you will be living a non counter-cultural life and Satan will have won.
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