Sunday in our study of 2 Peter 1:5, we were told to "make every effort to add goodness to our faith"
In the application part of the sermon, I asked if those present were willing to take on a challenge:
For one week, we were to compare those things that entertain and amuse us (TV, movies, music, etc..) with Paul's words in Phil. 4:8 - "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."
We wanted to see how much of our entertainment rose to that standard.
The point of this exercise was not to strip away all non-Christian cultural forms from this point forward... but to simply take a critical eye to the ideas and concepts laden in these cultural forms, to see if they were noble, true, right, and pure. In this way, we wanted to move from passive consumer to active critique-er.
With new awareness, we may find that we need to put some things away for good, as we see that they have no redeemable value or that they drag us down. But some forms, we may retain for their beauty artistry, poignancy, or truth.
Either way, the exercise will help us own our actions at a deeper level as part of what it means to honor Christ with our lives.
As Paul says in Colossians 3:17 - "Whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."
I hope we are all learning a lot!
Grace & Peace
Brad