How Christians can impact culture

​ “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”  - 2 Chronicles 7:14

The pastor preaching at my church today preached a message entitled “God is able”. God still has the power to move in our country! Yet, Christians are losing America. 

However, this is their own fault. Christians must get their own hearts right with God before he will use them to influence america in a positive way. Prayer is essential, but Christians must also “humble themselves”.

Also, Christians today mostly live the Christian life out of habit, or tradition; God is not in the forefront of their minds. A friend of mine noticed that at a local Bible College (note: Bible College), those whom he saw to be truly motivated about serving God were not raised in christian homes!

Christians have become desensitized to the moving of God; they need to “seek [God’s] face”. Most Christians are also living with unconfessed sin in their lives; dozens of leaders of large christian organizations have “fallen from grace”, hurting the name of Christ and our witness. Christians must “turn from their wicked ways”. The reason we are called to be light is so that the world can “see [our] good works, and glorify [the] Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). When we get ourselves right with God, he can use us.  “If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work.” - 2 Timothy 2:21.

One extremely important thing Christians must also do is base what they say and do on the Bible. The Bible is the only absolute truth which we know of. Unfortunately, when Christians begin to doubt things like the the creation account in Genesis 1, they open the door to doubts about the foundation of marriage…in Genesis 1! We must get back to God’s word.

Only after we have gotten ourselves right with God can we begin to work on culture. There are many ways that Christians can impact America. Once they get the foundation laid, christians should try to live in the world, but differently than those around them. They should not try to blend in, but to stand out, like a light shining in the darkness.

They should, however, have places to go for accountability and “shelter”. They should stay in church. Of course, they cannot fully escape the sin in the our land, “for then must ye needs go out of the world.” (1 Corinthians 5:10), but a coal taken from a fire will not burn forever.

Christians should stand up for what they believe, “speaking the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15). I personally can relate to doing this. I went to a two week leadership camp with Civil Air Patrol, a secular organization. The very first day, I told them that I was a christian. This prompted another christian to step up and say that they were a christian as well - now I had christian fellowship! Then, after one of the speakers made some remarks on their views on the afterlife, my group leader asked me my thought on his remarks - I had an open door to share the gospel, which I was able to do!

The world will not be reached if we keep what we to ourselves, or if we totally seclude ourselves from culture. Christians should use every opportunity they have to speak out for Jesus. This includes using the tools that the age we live in has given us.

One of the biggest tools Satan uses is film. Movies usually present a false idea of happiness and morals. Christians should also use the the tool of film. The Kendrick brothers (Facing the Giants, Fireproof, Courageous, and others) come to mind. Other christian filmmaker include David A.R. White (God’s not Dead, Woodlawn) and Rich Christiano (Time Changer).

Another tool Christians can use is the Internet. This too, has been used by Satan for evil. Yet, this too can be used by God’s people for good. Facebook has more monthly users than the China, the world’s largest country! And most of these user come from the US. This is an open door to share the good news of the gospel. The internet can also be used to share videos, post blogs, and distribute christian resources.

It is not too late to make an impact, but Christians have a lot of work ahead of them.