In today’s culture, we are being shaped, molded, encouraged, and even forced to accept “alternative lifestyles” as normal.
“Alternative” usually refers to anything that differs from the moral compass established by God. Sex before marriage was once considered taboo, but today it is so normal that it is expected. Living together before marriage is also the new normal. Living together and never marrying is now also normal. These things are no longer even considered “alternative lifestyles.” They are the new normal.
Has anyone else noticed that what is “normal” keeps drifting farther and farther from what Jesus taught?
Today, we are told that every sexual lust and activity should also be embraced as simply an alternative lifestyle. Apparently, the word “alternative” is code for “debased.” What these groups seek is acceptance, even if it has to be legislated and imposed on the rest of society. Legal acceptance will never fill the hole of spiritual darkness and guilt.
The true alternative lifestyle of our era is actually not debased, but based on a new life in Christ. Jesus offers the genuine alternative to guilt, corruption, and loss. A life-transforming faith that sets us free from the lifestyles offered by the world’s darkness is an alternative worth embracing.
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In today’s culture, we are being shaped, molded, encouraged, and even forced to accept “alternative lifestyles” as normal.
“Alternative” usually refers to anything that differs from the moral compass established by God. Sex before marriage was once considered taboo, but today it is so normal that it is expected. Living together before marriage is also the new normal. Living together and never marrying is now also normal. These things are no longer even considered “alternative lifestyles.” They are the new normal.
Has anyone else noticed that what is “normal” keeps drifting farther and farther from what Jesus taught?
Today, we are told that every sexual lust and activity should also be embraced as simply an alternative lifestyle. Apparently, the word “alternative” is code for “debased.” What these groups seek is acceptance, even if it has to be legislated and imposed on the rest of society. Legal acceptance will never fill the hole of spiritual darkness and guilt.
The true alternative lifestyle of our era is actually not debased, but based on a new life in Christ. Jesus offers the genuine alternative to guilt, corruption, and loss. A life-transforming faith that sets us free from the lifestyles offered by the world’s darkness is an alternative worth embracing.
However, those who have chosen light and life are not given the same privilege that other groups are given. Our alternative is considered a threat to their alternatives. Those of us who have chosen the Jesus alternative are ostracized, ridiculed, and demeaned by today’s “normal” culture. But Jesus warned us of this.
“I have given them Your word. And the world has hated them because they are not of the world.” (John 17:14)
If you are a born-again believer, you are not of the world. You have a true “alternative” identity, and you should have a lifestyle that matches. Don’t expect to be accepted. Be a light in the darkness. There are many waiting to see a genuine believer who lives a life of peace and joy. Many will come to the light if you will let it shine through you.
Barry, a graduate of Christ for the Nations Institute in Dallas, Texas, has been serving the Lord since 1972. He and his wife, Betty Kay, have served on the mission field in Mexico, Guatemala, and Chile, where they spent almost 12 years before returning to Texas in 2001.
While attending a large Spanish-speaking congregation in Carrollton, Texas, Barry was the director and principal teacher at a Spanish language Bible institute, Instituto Avance, where he served for five years. The Bennetts also spent two and a half years ministering to Cambodian refugees in Dallas, and they have ministered in home groups, churches, and on short-term mission teams.
Barry came to Andrew Wommack Ministries in 2007 and worked in the Phone Center as a prayer minister before accepting a position answering the scriptural and doctrinal questions that would come to AWMI via mail and email. He later became the Dean of Students and is now the Dean of Instructors. Barry is also an instructor at Charis Bible College in Colorado and teaches at domestic and international CBC satellite campuses.
