Spirit-led Culture Change



 In this and age if you look at social media or what is reported on social media what you find is acrimony, finger pointing and self-serving attitudes. This of course leads to division with people on all sides digging in their heels and becoming entrenched in their positions.

Make no mistake. I live in this world and I have very strong opinions on some of the things that I see happening. However, you haven’t seen me posting on Facebook or Twitter what I think about is going on in society. Why? I just think that it is counterproductive. I am not going to convince you of my position and the reverse is also true. True dialog is next to impossible on social media. Conversations quickly devolve into name calling and derogatory finger pointing.

Instead, I have adopted what I feel is what God wants a Spirit-led person to do.

Gal 5:22-26

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

As the name Spirit-led implies, I am trying to “keep in step with the Spirit”. To me that is defined in verse 26. Therefore, I set out not to provoke others or to proclaim that my position is the right one or better thought out than anyone else’s.

I want people to look at me and, instead of thinking of whether I agree with them or not on a certain position, I want them to think whether or not my life is characterized by, “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control”.

Now, some of you may wonder if by doing so am I not willing to stand up against social injustice or stand for what is right?

My whole life has been characterized by fighting for social justice. I can remember a time when I could walk into Robles Park (a violent and dangerous public housing area in Tampa) at night without fearing for my life, because people would say, “don’t mess with Jay, he is for us and helps our people”. I have worked with chronic recidivism among African-American males who struggled with addiction. I have helped thousands of families to rise up above poverty and achieve self-sufficiency. I have worked hand in hand with community development centers in urban minority areas to get funding for better housing, access to medical care and affordable nutritious food. I have partnered with churches in impoverished communities to develop soup kitchens, food pantries, clothing closets and Holiday Centers to give access to at risk families. I train volunteers at community organizations serving the needy in Trauma Informed Care so that middle class volunteers can understand the people they serve and keep from re-traumatizing them through ignorance of what they have endured.

I have chosen a path that I believe yields more direct and tangible results than pointing a finger at people and organizations and demonizing them. I believe that just makes them adopt a defensive stand and it does not accomplish positive change.

I know that I will listen to people with whom I disagree with if they are willing to have a conversation with an eye to bridging the gaps in our positions. I am willing to listen to people who are willing to listen. Come at me with attitude and tell me that I need to listen while you are not willing to listen and I will check out.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”

If I am in lock-step with the Spirit and exemplify His fruit in my life, then I believe people will be more open to hear from me. Isn’t the goal to achieve change?

While there are many things that need to be examined and addressed in society, the only way that will lead to lasting change is for people’s hearts to be changed as they come into a right relationship with God. Systemic change is only possible if individual change happens.

Walking in step with the Holy Spirit is the best way to achieve that.

Tell me what you think.

Passionately in love with Jesus, Pastor Jay, Ph.D.

Comments

  1. Ron ColeJanuary 11, 2021 at 6:48 PM

    Wow... powerful..and perfectly put. I can only hope to aspire to live by the fruit of the Spirit.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Ron ColeJanuary 11, 2021 at 6:51 PM

    Wow... powerful..and perfectly put. I can only hope to aspire to live by the fruit of the Spirit.

    ReplyDelete

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