Who are you afraid of offending more? God or man?
Most of us would automatically answer God. But, would that be the right answer according to how we live our lives? How would someone close to us answer for us? Would they testify to the fact that we live our lives to please God rather than man?
I believe if most of us examined ourselves carefully, and if we were truthful with ourselves, we would have to admit that we struggle in this area. More often than not, it’s man’s approval we are yearning for.
Maybe it’s being on social media that makes this more obvious. We see many things that we shouldn’t see, read many things we shouldn’t read. For some reason, people don’t think when they post on these sites. They allow their tempers to flare and being on the other side of a computer screen gives them courage they’d never have otherwise. Then again, when a nation who calls itself “Christian” elects a man that blatantly supports the murder of millions of babies and publicly congratulates a famous basketball player on his “coming out” I’d say it is a whole lot worse than seeing our “bad” sides. We look more like the world each and every day.
As a matter of fact, if you compared some “Christians” with non-believers it would be difficult to tell them apart. What happened to “knowing them by their fruit” as told to us by Jesus in Matthew 7:16? I mean, this is Jesus saying “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruit. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? Even so every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you will know them.”
Most Christians and non-Christians alike can quote Matthew 7:1. “Judge not, that you be not judged.” What I’d like to know is why we don’t hear more about the verses farther down the page, the ones I quoted above? Well, that question is rhetorical, of course. The answer is, who wants to be held accountable? Who wants to answer for their sin? It’s not fun, but taking responsibility will make you a better person and more like Christ.
What troubles me most? The churches’ tendency to succumb to this trend. Today’s church no longer calls sin, sin. They no longer preach truth. They don’t want to offend, even if that means sacrificing the church. I have found whole portions of scripture, warnings to believers and sinners alike that are wholly forgotten passages. I can’t remember the last time I heard holiness preached. Has God changed his mind? Are we no longer called to holiness? Is everything about the love? Or is there something sinister and destructive going on?
Does this frighten you too? Does it make you sad? I’d love to know your thoughts.
Darlene, I think many of us agree totally with you about today's church. The body of Christ is disobedient and cold to the Lord and His ways. They tolerate sin, which opens the door to Satan and his work. CHURCH on the sign outside does not mean the Body of Christ is on the inside, unfortunately. We must pray, fast and intercede for a revival to come and bring us to our knees. Maybe the destruction of our nation will do that. I hope not, but every day its looking more and more like that. People will need God. And, then, He will have their attention. Great blog post, Sweet One. Love your heart and conviction!
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