Keeping up with the Joneses posted by John Sorensen on Feb 25, 2019

Are you keeping up with the Joneses? Everywhere you go, you see the latest trends. Thanks to the media, especially social media, everyone can see what everyone else is wearing, listening to, watching and their opinions of it all. It’s so easy to get caught up in all of it.

Every year there’s a new iPhone release. By the summer, your once new car is replaced with next years’ model. Headphones, earbuds? Not anymore, you have to have AirPods. Silly examples, maybe, but the world is always looking for whatever is shiny and new.

The world is searching for something more. As Christians, we already have ‘something more.’ Paul says in Philippians 4 that he learned to be content, through the power of Jesus. It’s an age-old struggle, keeping up with the Joneses. But you, as a follower of Jesus, have something much more valuable than the Joneses. You have assurance of salvation, and you can’t buy that anywhere.

How can we give the world around us a chance to have something more? We have to engage the culture! Now, I don’t mean change everything you do or say to look like the world around you. There is nothing wrong with keeping up with trends, but don’t sacrifice truth to do so. Now, when we say culture, what do we mean? This is outside of your typical relationships with your family, friends and work associates. It’s reaching out to those around you, but not close to you!

Engaging the culture as a believer doesn’t need to look like wearing the trendiest clothes or using buzzwords just so that people think you’re relevant. The Word of God is always relevant, so don’t water down Scripture just to appeal to the masses. Speak God’s Truth in love, without compromise.

Here’s the thing – God is holy. We’re sinners. And we desperately need His grace, and only through Jesus. If we’ll accept this Truth – the only truth, then we’ll spend eternity in Heaven with Him. Any other so-called Truth will not get you into Heaven. It leads straight to Hell. Don’t shyly mumble God’s Word, or say that maybe there’s another meaning behind it. Proclaim the Name and the love and grace of Jesus without wavering. Don’t squeeze in the Gospel truth, instead, take the time to share His Gospel with anyone you can who doesn’t know Him yet. Take the time to get to know whomever it is you’re sharing with, respect their opinion and yes, meet them where they are. But never lost sight of the Gospel and never quit sharing His truth!

This is our focus this week at Evangelism Explosion through our social media channels and our daily broadcast. We’re focusing on engaging the culture to bring others to Jesus!

May God richly bless you this week as you step out in His truth! This is a transcript from Conversations with John #30