Being a real Christian is bold today. In fact, it is countercultural. Countercultural is derived from the word counterculture. Counterculture is defined as a culture with values and morals that run counter to those of established society. Sometimes being a Christian makes it hard to fit in at work, at school, or at Thanksgiving dinner. We make a right, while the world makes a left. Pro-life vs. pro-choice, traditional marriage vs. gay marriage, freedom vs. big government. Most Christians are on the same side of these debates and many more. There is a battle being fought, but this is nothing new. The war has been raging for 2000 years.

“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.”

John 15:19 NIV

We are not meant to fit in with this world. We need more than ever to preach the good news because everything has been secularized. Recently, we went to an Easter Egg Hunt that was held by a Christian organization. There was no prayer, or mention of the price that was paid for us by Jesus. There was only an Easter bunny, eggs, candy, and stuffed animals. We also saw the same thing this Christmas. We have one decoration outside during Christmas. It is, of course, a nativity scene. That is Christmas. Yet, only one other house on our block had one, but every other yard was full of cheap inflatable Santa Clauses, reindeer, or penguins. Even celebrations of Christ have been stolen from Jesus.

“and the two will become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.”

Mark 10:8-9 NIV

“People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them… “Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”

Mark 10:13,15 NIV

“It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”

Mark 10:25 NIV

To see how countercultural Jesus was, we will take a look at Mark 10. Divorce was permitted in Jesus’ culture; but, Jesus tells us that God makes two into one, and we can’t separate what God has joined together. Children were devalued in that culture; but, Jesus told his disciples that the kingdom of God belongs to those with faith like children. Wealth was considered a blessing; but, Jesus told them that it would be easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God. These are a few examples of Jesus’ countercultural ministry. This is why the religious leaders of his day wanted to kill him.

It is sad to think that we may offend loved ones by going against the culture. But, don’t think of it as being against culture, or being ‘anti-‘ everything; think of it as living in the Jesus culture. Then you will be a real Christian.

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