Together in Christ: 'Swimming Against the Flow' — Psalm 14:1-2

As followers of Jesus, our hearts yearn for the people around us to know Jesus, live by His values, and share our future. The reality is, however, that many around us don't. They don't know Jesus, they don't live by His values, and they don't share our future in Christ. ^[1] Many of those around us won't live by God's priorities and don't appreciate our values. Many will criticize the truths and values we hold dear. Some may directly oppose our faith. ^[2]

Today's words from Scripture remind us that God knows what is happening around us. He sees the corruption and evil actions that dominate our news headlines and infect our world. He wants us to know that the world has chosen to live the fool's life by dismissing His existence philosophically, intellectually, or practically - and maybe all three. Their rejection of God is because the evil one has deceived most people and holds them hostage by blinding them to the truth. ^[3]

So, what do we do? We chose to live for Jesus regardless of the values of those around us. ^[4] We are prepared to share the reason for hope in Jesus, not combatively but with gentleness and respect because we want to win their hearts, not win arguments. ^[5] But, we are aware that, because of our faith and our commitment, we are swimming against the stream of our culture, so we must continuously re-calibrate our hearts by seeking God and His wisdom. ^[6] Knowing the goodness of God's gift to us in Jesus, we don't want to play the fool and ignore His teachings. ^[7] So, as long as it is today, let's seek God and encourage each other toward our upward calling in Christ Jesus! ^[8]