Building on the Foundation

  David and Jonathan We have a little problem with the Bible.   How do we decide when a command that is given is based on culture and when it is a command we still have to follow? That question in itself supposes that if a command is based on the culture in which it was given, then it no longer applies to us at all. Cultural context is by far the most common reason that people think certain things no longer apply or were never meant for us.  All of the New Testament commands for women, for example, were conveniently given based on their culture alone and therefore were not meant for anyone but those people.  Women today are therefore under no restraints at all and are free to be as rebellious as they desire to be, simply because that culture was one in which Paul needed to give those instructions, but ours is not.   I jest, of course, but it does put the question I asked in a different light, and perhaps reveals the true question at the heart of the issue ...

  Who do you associate with? What kind of people are your closest friends? Aside from literal siblings, who do you consider to be your brothers and sisters? The answer to these questions matters a great deal.  Proverbs 12:26 tells us: “ The righteous should choose his friends carefully, For the way of the wicked leads them astray .” And in 1 Corinthians 15:33: “ Do not be deceived: “Evil company corrupts good habits .” All this is very true in regards to our co-workers, neighbors and friends, and should be dutifully considered when making or retaining friends, but these basic truths and biblical guidelines are even more important when it comes to our spiritual family.   Proverbs 18:24 “ A man who has friends must himself be friendly, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother .” Who do you consider to be your spiritual brothers and sisters? Is it the person who believes there is a Creator?  Is it the person who has a bumper sticker that says “I ❤️ Je...