REALSample

Proximity to Christ

By Tim Ross

Have you ever felt out of place in the world around you? I’m sure that’s how Daniel felt when the Israelites fell under the rule of the Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar. Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were taken as captives and brought in to learn about and enhance Babylonian culture with their intellect, so they could one day take positions in the king’s court. They were basically given full-ride scholarships to Babylon University. And at BU, they learned the language, culture, history, politics, and creed of the kingdom.

They became completely engaged with the culture, but because of the integrity and fidelity they had with God, they were not influenced by it. Instead, they influenced it in a way that caused them to continuously be promoted. By the end of their education, the king found them to be even better than his own wise men, and he relied upon Daniel to interpret many of his dreams.

So how did they become fully immersed in this new culture while not being swallowed up by it? The answer is hidden in plain sight. They never fell in love with any of it, but they stayed in love with God.

In our world today, we’re faced with a similar problem. We are surrounded by a corrupt culture, and many Christians choose to withdraw from it. However, that’s not what Jesus did. When He walked the earth, He was constantly engaging with people—sinners, prostitutes, lepers, and others that religious leaders thought He should avoid. People take that to mean that Jesus hung out with sinners, but that’s not the case. Because of His influence, sinners wanted to hang out with Him.

Anytime Jesus would go to the house of a sinner—take Zacchaeus, for example—His disciples went with Him. They were there because they were close with Jesus—not because they wanted to hang out with sinners.

We, as disciples of Jesus, are called to influence culture. That might mean engaging with a corrupt world. How do we keep from falling in love with the culture of the world? Take a look again at the way the disciples spent time with sinners—they stayed close to Jesus. Always ask yourself, “Where am I in proximity to Christ?” Allow the Holy Spirit to speak to you, and as you go out into the world, remain close to the One who can use you to help it.

Prayer

Holy Spirit, give me the boldness to be a bright light in a dark world. Allow me to have the grace to fill uncommon places with Your love. In Jesus’ name, Amen!

Memory Verse

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.1 Peter 2:9 (NIV)