Maintaining Truth in the Midst of Culture

We so often think of war as the bloody battle between nations and peoples, heroes and enemies. But another war wages around us that is much more subtle, is sometimes easily missed, or other times intentionally ignored. Yet this is the war that determines the direction of our lives, our nation, and future generations– It is the war of culture.

We mentioned this in last week’s post, check it out here, reaching the conclusion that with love and humility we can respond in the midst of this war with God’s truth that will never change just as God does not change. We are told by James, “Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above; it comes down from the Father of lights [the Creator and Sustainer of the heavens], in whom there is no variation [no rising or setting] or shadow cast by His turning [for He is perfect and never changes].” (James 1:17)

So this month I thought I would share thoughts I recently discovered in some of the devotional books that lead me closer to God as I spend time with Him every day, growing in His truth. Here are some powerful thoughts about this war:

“To live the way you are called…, you have to know your address. You have to understand what it means to live where you live every day…You and I live between the ‘already’ and the ‘not yet.’ Jesus made the ultimate sacrifice. The wisdom of the Word is placed in your hands. The Holy Spirit comes to live inside you. But the work of God in you, for you, and through you is not yet completed. This means that sin is not yet eradicated, and you are not yet all that grace will transform you to be.

“So the mortal battle rages. The spiritual war still goes on. That means you need to understand that you live in a war zone.

“And you need to be very clear on this- that great spiritual war is fought on the turf of your heart and it’s fought for control of your soul. It’s a war of submission and rebellion. It’s a war of anxiety and trust. It’s a war of wisdom and foolishness. It’s a war of hope and despair. It’s a war of allegiance and disloyalty. It‘s a war.

“Perhaps the epicenter of that war is the question: “Will the Lord do what he has promised? Will the Lord provide? Can I step out in faith and courage, knowing that the Lord is with me and will provide what I need when I need it? Or do I have to worry that, when it comes to push and shove, I won’t have enough? Should I be afraid or is God trustworthy?

“When you hit hard times, when your weakness is exposed, be ready for the enemy to whisper in your ear, ‘Where is your God now?’ and be ready to respond, ‘He is where he has been and always will be-with me in power, glory, and grace.’ You won’t always feel his nearness, but you can rest assured he will never abandon you. He is the One who said, ‘Behold, I am with you always,’ (Matthew 28:20), and he never goes back on his word.”
-Paul David Tripp

May we rest in His Presence, trust in His Person, and speak the truth of His Word with those who are searching to know the truth. May they come to meet and know the Truth Himself through us!

(Previous excerpt from “New Morning Mercies: A Daily Gospel Devotional,” Paul David Tripp)