1Therefore be imitators of God as dear children.2And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.
This is a high standard, but I believe that God calls us and empowers us to live in a manner that reflects His character. We can have an influence on the people around us: to show them the love and character of Christ, or even to live in a way that repels people from the gospel message. So we have to be very careful about our actions and attitudes, even the words that we speak. And, that is where our choices about what will influence us can have an impact. If we're being influenced by people or ideas that contribute to our spiritual growth, then our witness can be enhanced. And, the opposite is true. So, we have to be careful that the Word of God, not the world, is our primary focus.
In 1st Corinthians 11, the apostle Paul expresses an attitude of confidence, not in himself necessarily, but in the presence of the Christ within Him. He writes:
1 Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ. 2 Now I praise you, brethren, that you remember me in all things and keep the traditions just as I delivered them to you.
Last night, in an amazing move of counterprogramming to the Winter Olympics, CBS, the network that aired the Ed Sullivan Show, celebrated the anniversary of perhaps the most memorable program in the run of that show - the U.S. debut of the British sensations known as the Beatles. It was 50 years ago to the night - February 9, 1964, in the same time slot. And, the show even featured the two living former Beatles - Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr, visiting the Ed Sullivan Theater in New York. It was called, The Night That Changed America: A Grammy Salute to the Beatles. According to TVGuide.com, Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr performed as part of that all-star tribute, taped last month in Los Angeles, and they were featured in an interview with David Letterman in New York in the historic Sullivan-turned-Letterman theater. Among the high-caliber talent participating in the concert: a reunited Eurythmics (Annie Lennox and Dave Stewart), Alicia Keys performing with John Legend, John Mayer with Keith Urban, plus Katy Perry, Stevie Wonder, Dave Grohl, Maroon 5 and Joe Walsh.
In a piece on The Fiscal Times website, Allana Nash highlights what she sees as seven significant ways the Beatles changed America:
1. We Became a Guitar Nation. When the Beatles played to more than 73 million viewers on “The Ed Sullivan Show” on February 9, 1964, America swooned for the charming Brits who delivered an irresistible blend of British skiffle and American pop, rock, and R & B, serving it up with a wink and a shake of their shaggy hair.
2. We Rediscovered Joy. The Beatles lifted the country out of a numbing grief over the Kennedy assassination, which happened just two-and-a-half months before the Fab Four arrived. "
3. We Changed Our Hair. The crew cut ruled before the Beatles, or men wore their hair combed back.
4. We Felt Anglo Envy. England’s image changed from old and stodgy to the hippest on the planet, with London now a cultural mecca. “Before the Beatles, England looked to America for a lot of its music,” recalls Ken Douglas, who became a sought-after disc jockey in the ‘60s largely on the strength of his British accent. “Then with the Beatles, everything British was all the rage.”
5. We Enjoyed a Musical Renaissance. Popular music was transformed as the Beatles turned from simple songs of romantic pursuit (“I Want to Hold Your Hand”) to complex, experimental, long-form songs and concept albums (“Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band”).
6. We Experienced a Social Uprising. As their clothing and hairstyles became more extreme – the Beatles were sporting facial hair as early as 1966 – many bohemian behaviors and anti-establishment habits matched those of the counterculture, including smoking dope and hallucinogenics. The group's songwriting, too, reflected this, as it became psychedelic at times.
7. Our Creativity Blossomed. The Beatles’ music synchronized an explosion of creativity and awareness, from pop art to spiritualism.
The Beatles experienced unparalleled fame and influence over the world as a whole. John Lennon in fact said in 1966 that they were “bigger than Jesus.” A CBN.com piece highlighted a 1969 Canadian Broadcasting Corporation interview with Lennon - according to it, irreverence wasn’t the singer’s intention. And, as it turns out, he was actually really interested in Jesus.
He reportedly said, "It's just an expression meaning the Beatles seem to me to have more influence over youth than Christ...Now I wasn't saying that was a good idea, 'cos I'm one of Christ's biggest fans. And if I can turn the focus on the Beatles on to Christ's message, then that's what we're here to do." The article goes on to recount how Lennon investigated the claims of Christ, even to the point of claiming to be born again and writing Christian songs. This dismayed his wife, Yoko Ono, and she reportedly pulled him away from this newfound faith. He retreated into New Age thought, and by the end of his life, he had lapsed into a universalistic belief in religion.
He reportedly said, "It's just an expression meaning the Beatles seem to me to have more influence over youth than Christ...Now I wasn't saying that was a good idea, 'cos I'm one of Christ's biggest fans. And if I can turn the focus on the Beatles on to Christ's message, then that's what we're here to do." The article goes on to recount how Lennon investigated the claims of Christ, even to the point of claiming to be born again and writing Christian songs. This dismayed his wife, Yoko Ono, and she reportedly pulled him away from this newfound faith. He retreated into New Age thought, and by the end of his life, he had lapsed into a universalistic belief in religion.
There are two thoughts that I wanted to share with you. First of all, to him it seemed that the Beatles were more influential than the Lord on the youth of society. One of the penetrating questions for us as Christians and for the church as a whole deals with how we are influencing the culture. And, to boil it down to our individual lives, we can evaluate what sort of influence we are having on the people around us. Most of us are not called to a worldwide or even a nationwide ministry, but we are called, as Christ's ambassadors, to have influence on the people with whom we interface. What sort of message are they receiving from us? And, are we communicating that message in a way that lifts us Jesus and can draw people to Himself? Apparently, according to the CBN.com piece, in his struggles with Christianity, it seemed to be Christians themselves who made him want to not be part of the church. I trust that the way we demonstrate Christ would draw people to want to come to know Him.
And, we can also reflect on what influences are having an impact on us. The big-name musical artists that were part of the special last night were presumably there to acknowledge the impact of the Beatles on them personally. They paid tribute to this phenomenal band and performed their songs. There are people that can have an impact on us, and we can choose to integrate the positive qualities we see into our lives. Plus, there are people who will be a detriment to our Christian walk, too. Beyond the personal influence, there are cultural influences that we consume through media that can reinforce our spiritual walk or can be detrimental to our life in Christ. That is why we have to be careful about what and who we associate with. The course of our life is determined by our choices, and often our choices are determined by the influences by which we are shaped - we must be careful to allow God's Word first and foremost to govern the decisions we make.
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