Page 70 - Christ and Culture Textbook

7. Mercy. Again, this universal virtue of mercy is to be applied in a broad cultural context. From the
prophets to Jesus to the apostles, mercy is one of those virtues that, when applied,
demonstrates the very essence of God. “Be merciful,” Jesus said, “just as your Father is
merciful” (Luke 6:36). James declared that mercy triumphs over judgment (James 2:13). Mercy
ought to be the distinguishing feature of the church since it claims to be the recipient of God’s
mercy.
8. Peacemaking. The psalmist’s dictum, “Seek peace and pursue it” (Ps. 34:14), is repeated twice in
the New Testament (2 Tim. 2:22; 1 Pet. 3:11). Jesus gave special blessing to peacemakers (Matt.
5:9). Peace, as a virtue, was prominent in salutations, benedictions, and exhortations. We are
called to live in peace (1 Cor. 7:15), for living at peace with everyone is to be a distinguishing
mark of the church (Rom. 12:18; Heb. 12:14). As a fruit of the Spirit peace must accompany
witness to the gospel of peace. Peace is both a bonding element within the body of Christ (Eph.
4:3) and a beneficial reproducer of the righteous life. “Peacemakers who sow in peace,” James
wrote, “raise a harvest of righteousness” (James 3:18). Without doubt, peacemaking in Jesus’
name helps wins converts to Christ.
9. Unity. The unity of believers is perhaps the most powerful witness to the world of the saving
grace of our Lord. This unity, explicitly related to the world, was a central petition of our Lord’s
prayer for His own. “May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent
me.… May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have
loved them even as you have loved me” (John 17:21, 23). A unified church in the world is more
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than an ideal; it is a compelling and attractive necessity.
What is Christian Success?

Christians must avoid looking at success as the world does.

Many people have the wrong understanding of success. They measure success by money and
possessions. But for a Christians, success can never be measured by money. Success is not measured by
one’s bank account. One can have a lot money in his account but is still be unsuccessful in God’s eyes.
Christian Success is doing the will of God faithfully. Jesus Christ’s basic aim was to do his Father’s will.
Christians have the same objective, which Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit enable them to accomplish.

From the time of entering the promised land, Israel was obliged to engage in warfare against other
nations. Success is attributed to Israel’s trust in the LORD and failure to lack of faith and disobedience.
The achieving of objectives or personal fulfilment. For believers, success depends on faithfulness to God.
Success can lead to dependence on one’s own strength, instead of upon God.
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Here is a summary of what Christian Success is:
a. Success is faithfulness. 1 Corinthians 4:1-5
b. Success is serving. Matthew 20:25-28
c. Success is loving the Lord. John 21:15-23, 14:21

29 Charles R. Swindoll and Roy B. Zuck, Understanding Christian Theology (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson
Publishers, 2003), 1206–1207.

30 Martin H. Manser, Dictionary of Bible Themes: The Accessible and Comprehensive Tool for Topical
Studies (London: Martin Manser, 2009).

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