Counter Culture

John said to the crowds coming out to be baptized by him, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce fruit in keeping with repentance. And do not begin to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father.’ For I tell you that out of these stones God can raise up children for Abraham. The ax is already at the root of the trees, and every tree that does not produce good fruit will be cut down and thrown into the fire.”

            “What should we do then?” the crowd asked.

John answered, “Anyone who has two shirts should share with the one who has none, and anyone who has food should do the same.”

            Even tax collectors came to be baptized. “Teacher,” they asked, “what should we do?”

            “Don’t collect any more than you are required to,” he told them.

            Then some soldiers asked him, “And what should we do?”             

He replied, “Don’t extort money and don’t accuse people falsely—be content with your pay.”  Luke 3:7-14

            John’s message was really quite contrary! Contrary to the religion of the time, contrary to the culture of the time, contrary to the work ethics of the time. His challenge to the people was to live contrary lives that countered the effects of their culture. He challenged their sense of “religious entitlement” – the idea that because they belonged to the “right religion” they were entitled to God’s favor.  He challenged their lifestyle of having more than they needed while others went without. He challenged their work ethics that exploited others because they weren’t content with what God was providing them.

            John’s message was simple – don’t put on a show of holiness, live your faith. John’s challenge was no less than to live contrary to culture. It’s the same challenge we have today. To follow the Way of Christ means to live counter-culturally.  It means living a life of caring about and for others and being content with what we have.

Let’s Do Something About It

Consider the four areas of John’s message: religious entitlement, lifestyle, integrity, and contentment. Prayerfully ask God to show you how you can take steps in your life to live counter-culturally in these four areas. Journal your insights as a reminder and an encouragement for you to “produce fruit in keeping with repentance.”