Normal Does Not Equal Biblical | Craig Curtis
Just because it's normal doesn't mean it's biblical.
social norms - unwritten rules of behavior that a society or group agrees upon, guiding what is considered typical, proper, and acceptable in a given context
Maybe it was normal to:
- talk down to your mom / sister.
- think one kind of school was the only right path.
- treat people differently based on how they look.
- go to church and look down on those who didn't.
- stay guarded to hide your heart and call it strength.
James 2:1-6a NIV
1 My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism. 2 Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in. 3 If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” 4 have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? 5 Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? 6 But you have dishonored the poor.
James 2:8-13 NIV
8 If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right. 9 But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. 10 For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. 11 For he who said, “You shall not commit adultery,” also said, “You shall not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker. 12 Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, 13 because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
3 New Norms To Live By
1. All people have value.
When we understand that people are they way they are for a reason, our grace goes up and our judgment goes down.
If Christ lives in them, we accept them. If Christ doesn't live in them, we receive them because He died for them.
Romans 5:8 NIV
8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
3 New Norms To Live By
2. Change starts in the Church.
Jesus had a way of seeing people for who they were becoming rather than as the sum of their mistakes.
Are we, team Jesus, really any different than the world?
- Do we gravitate toward the popular?
- Do we chase connection with the wealthy?
- Do we quietly avoid the poor?
James 2:5 NIV
5 Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him?
1 Samuel 16:7 NIV
7 But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
What impresses people doesn't move God; what moves God is a heart that's humble, surrendered, and willing to change.
- woman caught in adultery
- woman at the well
- Simon
- Saul
We are a church for the unchurched.
2 Peter 3:9 NIV
9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
Titus 2:11 NIV
11 For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people.
James 2:1 NIV
1 My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism.
3 New Norms To Live By
3. We will be judged.
James 2:13 NIV
13... judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
Action Plan
1. Name the norms you need to break.
2. Get close enough to care before you choose to judge.