The student culture and the Christian

It is very easy to get consumed in a Christian bubble all the time while having little engagement with the student culture. Indeed being a Christian is a full time job, we are not Christians at cu and at church then non Christians at the clubs and bars, lectures and seminars. Jesus is the Lord of our life and therefore He is Lord even when we are not doing specific Christian duties. It is important that as Christian students we engage with the culture in the hope that we can influence those around us and have a permanent impact on them. Yes, the culture we are engaging with is a sinful culture because they do not know God and once upon a time neither did we. But this is no excuse not to engage with the culture because Jesus came into a sinful world to save us and he was sinless but yet influenced many by his words and actions. He ate with tax collectors and sinners and the religious leaders hated it. I know for some due to other dedications to CU and church, time doesn’t permit you to spend as much time as you want with the student culture, just like the pastor, most of his time is spent in feeding the flock and has little time to engage with the community as much as he would like. We have to remember that God created the world and everything belongs to Him and in the end everything will glorify Jesus. The amazing thing is that God works through the ordinary things, through things that are not necessarily connected to church to bring many to faith. He uses Christians who are in those ordinary positions to work his will. So a reason to engage with the student culture is that God will use you to bring others to saving faith in Christ Jesus, through the ordinary conversations and etc…

It is important to remember that when engaging with the culture that you love the people. You love them with a genuinely love and willing to serve them as Christ served you. For we are all created in the image of God and God loves his creatures. Also, when engaging with the culture, we have to live godly lives lest you portray a negative view of Jesus. Many students have seen those who claim to be Christian’s to be drunk and partaking in the same sinful activity as they do and this is a real problem. A problem that hinders the winning of souls and it is important that we practice what we preach. It is also important to pray, to pray against temptation and for strength because it is easy to get enticed.

Titus 2:11-15 says ‘for the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Saviour, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you.

So let us be eager to do good when engaging with the student culture and live godly lives so that we can influence those around us in a positive way and therefore Christ is magnified.

k.oni