The Church's Role in Cultural Renewal
- May 18
- 3 min read
WASHINGTON / May 18, 2026 / BPALiveWire - As I have progressed and grown as a Christian, I have come to understand the differences between the culture and the church. The contrasts are stark. From what is prioritized, to how each says we should conduct ourselves, to how each says we should treat our enemies, it is night and day. Let's talk about the church's role in changing this world.
When Jesus was praying to the Father in John 17, He said, “They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world.” He proceeds to say in John 18 that “His kingdom is not of this world.” You see, Jesus is making it clear that He, His people, and His kingdom are not of this world and are meant to be separate.
Now that we have established that God's kingdom is separate, let's look at what the world looks like. Matthew 6:19 says, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.” First John 2:17 says, “The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.” The world is clearly temporary and is dying every day. First John 2:15 says that if you love the things of the world, then the love of the Father is not in you. These are big statements. You see that the world and its systems are completely contrary to God, and if you love these things, His love is not even in you.
As believers, we are in the world but not of the world. We currently live on this earth, but we are not supposed to take part in or indulge in the things the world has to offer or the systems that make it run. This includes love of money, lust, greed, idolatry, and seeking approval from people. We do, however, have obligations in this world. We are called to preach the gospel (Mark 16:15), make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19–20), and be set apart from the world.
I feel as if far too often we see the world impacting the church or the church conceding to the world. Whether it is watered-down sermons meant to make the world feel more comfortable, or Christians trying to act like the world in an attempt to reach people or avoid being seen as “that Christian,” the world always seems to find a way into the church. You could argue that this is one of the reasons why our country is in its current condition. There is too much compromise.
However, the church is not going out and actually being the church. We aren't going out and looking after single mothers and the homeless; instead, the government is filling that role. We are not influencing our kids and giving them the right foundational principles. Instead, we are allowing worldly musical artists, television shows, and other influences to shape their foundation. We are not going out and preaching the gospel or telling people about Jesus. Instead, we go to church on Sunday and keep our faith to ourselves for the rest of the week.
That's not how it should be. We should be taking what we know and sharing it with the world, whether in media, music, sports, or elsewhere to bring God glory and advance His kingdom. We should be impacting the culture, not the other way around.
