Ron Hutchcraft Ministries - Three Effective Ways You Can Impact Today's Culture

I think it is safe to say that all of us who are living life with intentional focus and purpose want to make an impact on our world. And more specifically, I think it is safe to say that those of us who wholeheartedly seek to follow Jesus desire to make an eternal impact on the world in one way or another. But success in doing this can be defined in a number of ways.

For some, making an eternal impact on the world means sending Bibles to countries who cannot afford to purchase them on their own or who do not have access to them. For others, it means standing on stage and leading their congregation in worship. And for others, it means finding ways to provide for the basic needs of people in the community. The list could go on.

I want to share three of the most effective ways to influence and impact the culture we live in for the cause of Christ. You could easily add many more to my list.

First, if you are married, the most powerful way you can impact the culture is to have a thriving, red-hot marriage. Your marriage is the greatest evangelistic tool you have at your disposal, because it is the visible demonstration of your relationship with Jesus. If you and your spouse belong to Jesus, the closer you both walk with Jesus, the closer you'll become to each other.

Why is it that we are allowing Hollywood to define what relationships are supposed to look like and what true romance is, when romance is God's idea in the first place? And if you have children, the greatest gift you can give them is not something you buy. Your greatest gift to your kids is for them to see Mommy and Daddy passionately and consistently loving and serving each other.

Questions: Are you settling for an average marriage ("we get along") or are you pursuing a marriage that truly reflects God's glory ("my spouse is my best friend and I cannot wait to spend time with them")? Are you dating each other regularly or have you bought into the lie that dating was just for the pre-marriage years? Is your marriage at the mercy of your kids' needs and schedules and desires, or is your home "marriage-centered," with your relationship with your spouse being the primary focus of your life second only to your walk with Jesus?

Second, if you are single, the greatest way you can impact the culture is by living a life of purity. I can only tell you from personal experience that when I was single and committed to purity, the people around me wanted to know why I was different and many of them desired to know the same Jesus I claimed as my Savior. During times when I lost focus and let myself drift in the area of purity, there was no difference in my life that others wanted to desire. And it hurt my testimony, but more importantly, the testimony of Christ.

Questions: Are you settling for living according to what your passions desire (double-clicking on inappropriate websites; being involved in relationships that are built only on physical attraction and sexual desires)? Or are you resolved to live a pure life and be committed completely to Jesus and His best for your life while single?

Third, if you are in the work force, the greatest way to impact the culture is by having excellence in your work. By this, I mean your attitude toward your work, your time management, attention to details, being solution-minded when everyone else is grumbling, and finding ways to improve your organization.

Questions: Are you the person setting the standard of excellence within your organization, or are you just content to bring in a paycheck? Are you committed to a "whatever it takes" attitude to make sure your organization's goals are met?

These are only three areas of influence that are at our disposal for impacting the culture. What are some more you can think of?