Most people want to lead normal lives, do normal things. The question is how we define normality. Is it the consensus of the majority or the materialization of a certain worldview shaped by objective values? I am convinced that the Christian world should redefine and reclaim normality, normality as an expression of God's thought.
This is not just idle talk and has direct consequences on our way of life. For example, one day I drew someone's attention to their clothing, which was a bit too short, too tight, and which revealed their underwear when sitting down (and not the upper part). The response was that they simply wanted to wear something 'normal', for a change. I was stunned.
Since when does such indecent attire become 'normal' in the eyes of a Christian? Have we really strayed so far from biblical values that a garment so provocative and purposely designed as such doesn't provoke any resistance in the Christian psyche? We have been so inundated with images and discourses of all kinds that we have conditioned ourselves to accept as normal what violates the values we say we espouse and that we consider to be universal.
Christians are constantly brainwashed about the boundaries and contours of normalcy and often fall for it. Since some have not taken the time to reflect deeply on societal norms, they blindly follow them. In doing so, they ignore biblical injunctions to mimic styles of dress, lifestyles, and hobbies that are contrary to them, arguing that it is normal since everyone does it.
But the Christian's way is not to follow the crowd; he does not follow the crowd. He lives by other rules. Thus, the Christian way of life is neither abnormal nor strange. But those concerned themselves must be convinced of this. This is because preachers spend their time telling people how to live as Christians; their audience, in turn, believes that these things are good but not necessarily adapted to normal life. They are not convinced of the intrinsic value of the teaching given to them, otherwise they will adopt it as their normal way of life.
At best, these would be para-terrestrial considerations that a very spiritual person could adopt, at worst, additional constraints to complicate their existence. What they believe has not changed. Otherwise, to return to the clothing illustration, it would not be necessary to take the same people one week on their cleavage, the next week on the red panties publicly exposed at the altar on Sunday morning, the following week on the mega-transparent top.
Faith in Christ must be accompanied by a paradigm shift, a fundamental transformation of our value system, an awareness that Christian values constitute normality since they represent the thoughts of the Creator and correspond to His objective laws.
“Normality has become a way of life.” I am happy with such a message. For creation eagerly awaits the revealing of the sons of God, those who walk on the other side with Jesus Christ.
Thank you Lord for your servant!
Is it worth responding to someone who presumes to call God to witness to justify his misconduct?
It is obvious that an impure exterior or behavior cannot come from a pure heart. If people truly realized that God truly sees their hearts, they would be quick to repent instead of justifying themselves. Unfortunately, this is not always the case.
In everyday language, we say of this kind of person that they 'don't have cold feet'. Any thief, any pedophile can say that God sees their heart, they are no less unbelievers. One cannot disobey God and allow oneself to call Him as a witness; that's a bit of a stretch.
As you say, I think the word "normality" needs to be redefined according to biblical standards. However, how do we respond to someone who tells us that God looks at their heart. And that our thoughts are carnal?