Conforming to the World

As I said in Wednesday's post, I set up this blog to journal my entry back into the world of art, but because of my faith in the work of Jesus on the cross, any world I enter, He is there. So, I've decided each Friday will be faith-based Friday, and will not only have a piece of artwork, but also a devotional thought or teaching. Don't forget to sign up using the form on the right to receive a free print of my Psalm 67:1-2 painting.

We live in a world of moral relativity. There is no right and wrong, instead everyone is right, every idea is justified, every thought is good - unless you say someone is wrong. That's bad. Intolerant.

The modern-day church has fallen prey to this relativity. We have caved to the pressures of a sinful world. We've stopped looking to what God says, and instead we've begun to parrot what's popular.

But why?

Here are a few reasons I think this has happened:

• We spend so much more time listening to the world than to God. Do you spend an equal amount of time listening to the Bible, sermons, or even Christian music, as you spend listening to secular TV, movies, books, and music? Half as much time? A quarter of the time?
• We know sin is wrong, but if everyone is saying it's not so bad, we can feel better about ourselves. We fail to grasp that God's grace is greater than our sin, so we would rather wrap our lives with fig leaves and false truth and hide from God.
• We like our sin. "If it feels good, do it." Okay, why not? It's not like I murdered anyone. It's not so bad. - IT IS SO BAD! 
• We've been taught if we look "too Christian" we will be considered freaks, and people won't listen to our witness. This is crap. If you look and act just like the world, THEN the world has no reason to listen to you.
• Mostly, we are afraid of persecution, even if that merely means someone calls us weird. We would rather look like the world and feel safe, than look like Jesus and risk crucifixion. 

This is not a comprehensive list, but hopefully it will get you thinking about your life and your church. If either is widely accepted by the world, then you might want to rethink your priorities. You might want to repent. Read what God says:

Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. 2 And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. 3 But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. 4 Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. 5 For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. 7 Therefore do not become partners with them; 8 for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light 9 (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true),10 and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. 11 Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. Ephesians 5:1-11