The reason for using the word ‘Biblical’ in the title is to highlight unique qualities that distinguish Biblical Christians from all others. Nominal Christians yield to that pressure and merge culture with Biblical truth. That is called theological synchronism. Biblical Christians face harsh criticism for not adhering to our cultural norms. Consider these examples.
The more anyone strives to be an apprentice of Jesus (a Biblical Christian), the more opposition the world will have towards them. At first, this sounds like it cannot be true. It may even sound repulsive because we all want so much to be liked by everyone. But Jesus said if the world hates you, realize that it hated me before it hated you. If you had anything in common with the world, the world would love you as one of its own. But you don’t have anything in common with the world. I chose you from the world, and that’s why the world hates you (John 15:18-19, GW). But if you read those verses slowly, you discover the hatred referred to is not about your person, rather, it’s about what your lifestyle stands for. Paul warned don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect (Romans 12:2, NLT2). Most Biblical Christians love unbelievers. It shows in their attitude and actions. But as soon as an unbeliever recognizes that person’s convictions about God, they will hate that for which they stand. The unbeliever articulates that by calling anyone who seeks to become one of God’s “normal” men or women, a fanatic or religious nut. Jesus Christ was God’s greatest expression of the normal Biblical Christian; yet the world would have nothing to do with Him. They claimed He was “out of his mind” (Mk 3:21).
Consider Jesus’ greatest passion. God, His Father, was the uncompromising center of His life. It determined His every thought and action. While He was the perfect specimen of humanity, He denied His own independent thoughts and desires by insisting on doing only what he saw the Father doing. John 5:19 (NLT2). While He most certainly loved everyone, He was never afraid to repeat whatever His Father said or did at the risk of offending them. Is it normal today to enjoy God and passionately seek a close relationship with Him? Is it normal to pause to ask the Holy Spirit what He might have to say about whom to vote for on electoral ballots, the decisions at work or play?
Unbelievers are not anti-God; they are just little-God. They want you and me to have just enough of God to make us “kind” but never enough to motivate us to kindly expose their unrighteous hearts. Our society’s god doesn’t interfere in people’s lives, judge LGBTQIA+ or abortion, or hold a politically incorrect stance. Their god separates himself from our daily cares of life, including politics. And they can’t understand a Bible God who would tell them ‘No’ or allow any judgment to come to those who deliberately choose to disobey His laws.
The normal Biblical Christian is not obnoxious nor condemning. But if given the opportunity, he or she respectfully resists cultural issues that violate what God’s Word teaches. A normal Biblical Christian pleases God over any human. They will confidently face being falsely accused of being a bigot, racist, intolerant, etc. Why? Because deep within, they have a healthy fear of the Bible God, who they deeply believe will be their ultimate judge. Jesus said, don’t be afraid of what you are going to suffer. The devil is going to throw some of you into prison so that you may be tested. Your suffering will go on for ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. Revelation 2:10 (GW)
Do those in your social circle know you as a normal Biblical Christian? If not, what might you need to do to change that? If I can help you, I will consider serving as your spiritual life coach?