A Troubling Trend Among Christians

[Tzalam]

May I explain something about myself?
I care deeply about the Christians I meet, in person, and on the internet.
I have noticed a troubling trend among people who say they're Christians, and it's that they don't want to stand up for Jesus.
They don't want to read and memorize any Scripture.
They want to participate fully in many worldly things, and still be
thought of as good, pure Christians.
Many Christians tell dirty jokes, look at porn, let their children wear any kind of clothes, and act any old way, many Christians devote a huge chunk of their spare time to leisurely activities, instead of FIRST giving themselves to God, and the study of His Word, to prayer, fasting, praise, and being SERVANTS TO JESUS.
In short, many Christians now want all the glory without any of the inconvenience.
They want to read what they want, eat what they want, watch what they want on tv or at the movies, spend their money on whatever they feel like, Godly or not, and say what they want.
No, I'm not saying be legalistic. I'm soooo tired of that.
I am saying, if you're a born again Christian, aren't you supposed to LOOK AND SOUND DIFFERENT FROM YOUR LOST FRIENDS?
Aren't you?
The answer is yes, and it isn't always the most easy or popular thing to do, but, who are you most interested in pleasing?
OTHER MEN? OR GOD?
Look at it this way:
If you're married, aren't you supposed to behave differently than when you were single?
After you are married, do you continue to date other people? Not if you're born again.
When you're single, do you have sexual relations with someone?
Not if you're born again.
When you're born again, do you shrink away from talking about Jesus to others? Do you keep the gospel of Jesus to yourself, and let your lost co workers go to hell?
When you're born again, do you laugh at nasty jokes, dress like some slut, go to R rated movies, make illegal copies of software, come in late to work, and leave early, take advantage of others, gossip, pry into other's business, envy and lust after what others have, crush whoever gets in your way, when you have a "goal" to accomplish, ignore your children, ignore or belittle your spouse, lie, cheat, or steal?

I see this going on ALL THE TIME in the lives of people who, out of one side of their mouth, say,
"I'm a Christian!"
and out of the other side of their mouth, say,
"Jesus? Who's that? The bible? No, I don't know that verse, no time
to read or pray, sorry, too busy for that. "

I take seriously what Jesus said, in loving thy neighbor as thyself.
If I had a born again neighbor, and they saw I was living a sinful life, I'd WANT THEM to be blunt with me, and to help me by showing me the way OUT of that sinful life.
That's an act of love.
Telling a person they are going to die and spend eternity in the Lake of Fire is an act of LOVE, especially if you tell them HOW TO ESCAPE THE COMING WRATH OF GOD.
So, if anyone thinks I'm too rough, remember, I'm not. I care, and I care deeply about you all. God knows I'm telling the truth!!

It's a spiritual battle for your mind, for your testimony, for your
life. We wrestle against powers, principalities, against SPIRITUAL wickedness.....unseen, but, more real than you think.

If the devil can get a Christian to ruin their testimony for Jesus,
he will. Be vigilant in keeping your life pure and holy. Keep your mind and heart pure for God. Whatever it takes to be pure and holy, do it!
Do we all understand what Jesus means when He said to be not conformed to this world, but BE YE TRANSFORMED, BY THE RENEWING OF YOUR MIND.
You are to be pleasing to GOD first. Above all.
"And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all they heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.
And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these."Your enemy, the devil goes about as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. If the devil can make another Christian look absolutely disgusting, ridiculous, dirty, or worldly in any way, HE WILL. Don't give place to the devil, if you're really a Christian!!

The devil wasn't your enemy when you were lost.

Be separate from the lost of this world. Be a light in the darkness.
Salt is good, but if the salt have lost his saltness, wherewith will ye season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another.
And......
Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might.
Christians, wake up!

Judgement Day is coming.
Jesus says we will receive a reward if we are GLAD at His appearing!!
Would you be glad, or ashamed, if Jesus appeared today, to take
you back home with Him?

 

[supernac]

Ronald J Snider wrote a book called " The Scandle of The Evangelical
Conscience" Its a good read, you should pick it up.

 

[peace4all]

If all of the "so called" christians in america, acted as u described, we would have 0 economy. All the free time, would be spent worshipping, in which case, no one would buy fancy cars, PC's or game systems, or tv, putting all those ppl out of work, Who in turn, will have more tiem on their hands to be a good christian. Then ppl will stop buying anything but nescessities, and make it an agricultural nation

 

[Tzalam]

Ronald J Snider wrote a book called " The Scandle of The Evangelical
Conscience" Its a good read, you should pick it up.

Thanks, I'll look for it in bookstores, etc.
Who wrote it?

 

[Tzalam]

If all of the "so called" christians in america, acted as u described, we would have 0 economy. All the free time, would be spent worshipping, in which case, no one would buy fancy cars, PC's or game systems, or tv, putting all those ppl out of work, Who in turn, will have more tiem on their hands to be a good christian. Then ppl will stop buying anything but nescessities, and make it an agricultural nation

No, we wouldn't have zero economy. We'd have a much more HONEST pricing system, less price gouging, and less purchasing of horribly marked up items.
We'd have better quality clothes, food, and homes. People's consciences would actually BOTHER them when they lied about prices and the quality of the merchandise they sell. The prices would come down.
Employees would actually do a full day's work, and bosses would stop withholding honest wages from their hard workers.
Bosses would admit when they're wrong, and give decent wages and raises.
We wouldn't be paying those outrageous prices for getting our cars repaired, because auto mechanics would be honest, or out of business.
We wouldn't be spending our time watching some football or baseball or hockey puck flying around, we'd be at home, or with our family, sober, and being kind to our family.
Vacations would be family oriented, and Disney would probably go out of business, since they do a lot of focusing on magic, and magic is deceiving, and that's a lie, and a Christian wouldn't feel comfortable spending his money where lies are king.
Television would have more wholesome programs, and kids would actually be able to watch tv without parents screening everything. Violence, sexual promiscuity, disrespect for parents, greed, lust, would all be gone, because Christians would STOP watching SO MANY TV SHOWS, the tv industry would HAVE to change, or die.
Same with the movie industry.
No, you're thinking too narrowly. If people were more honest, and kind, and decent, and trustworthy, and they actually feared and respected and worshipped GOD and His Son, Jesus Christ, our economy would be wonderful.

 

[supernac]

Ronald J Snider wrote it. He compares the statistics of divorce (among
other things) to "Christians" and the general public. Pretty scary stuff.

 

[supernac]

Ronald J Snider wrote it. He compares the statistics of divorce (among
other things) to "Christians" and the general public. Pretty scary stuff.

I dont think legalism is the answer though.

 

[Merry Menagerie]

Many Christians still judge other peoples actions too :-?

 

[Lyric's Dad]

Tzalam, I agree with you completely. This is an area I am guilty of as well but God has been working on me. I am a very materialistic person. Not in the sense of needing a big house or the best car but in that I like to go and do what I want. I like to be able to go fishing when I want or golfing or whatever. Not that these activities are bad but they can become a god if you are not careful. I find myself watching t.v. when I should be studying God's Word or taking a nap when I have the opportunity to do something for God. I like to do what I want with the money I have and don't invest enough of it or myself in God.

I have been spending a great deal of time with God in this area and am seeking change. I see this country especially being pulled into the pit of materialism.

I do think that the word "legalism" is way overused. The Gospel of Jesus Christ has do's and dont's in it. We are told to turn from sin. We are told to be better and different. We are to be the Church. This is not legalism. Legalism is telling someone they have to do something for God to earn salvation.

Anyway, a long way of saying I think you are right on. The Church does need to be different and not so complacent. Funny thing is though that this problem is mostly a U.S. issue. The Church is third world countries don't have the luxury of being like this as they rely on Jesus for their next meals. Sometimes I think I have really missed something being here.

 

[Nostalgic Dawn]

I'm pretty sure we can all be "so-called Christians" at times. It's in our realization of our need for repentance which sets us apart.

 

[Orthodox Christian]

Tzalam, I agree with you completely. This is an area I am guilty of as well but God has been working on me. I am a very materialistic person. Not in the sense of needing a big house or the best car but in that I like to go and do what I want. I like to be able to go fishing when I want or golfing or whatever. Not that these activities are bad but they can become a god if you are not careful. I find myself watching t.v. when I should be studying God's Word or taking a nap when I have the opportunity to do something for God. I like to do what I want with the money I have and don't invest enough of it or myself in God.

I have been spending a great deal of time with God in this area and am seeking change. I see this country especially being pulled into the pit of materialism.

I do think that the word "legalism" is way overused. The Gospel of Jesus Christ has do's and dont's in it. We are told to turn from sin. We are told to be better and different. We are to be the Church. This is not legalism. Legalism is telling someone they have to do something for God to earn salvation.

Anyway, a long way of saying I think you are right on. The Church does need to be different and not so complacent. Funny thing is though that this problem is mostly a U.S. issue. The Church is third world countries don't have the luxury of being like this as they rely on Jesus for their next meals. Sometimes I think I have really missed something being here.

Amen.

Legalism is thinking that one has done enough to be justified before God. Those who really love God don't even consider their own justification, but meditate and act upon that which satisfies God. Living by Jesus' commands is not legalism, it is obedience.

Great post, LD

 

[supernac]

Sorry but some churches (I've been to some) take the phrase "worldly thing" and apply it to everything, IE TV, Radio, Movies, this is legalism. Not all
things in this world are evil. I could say cars, doctors, electricity are all worldly things. Following what the scripture teaches is not legalism, maybe
the definition needs to be made clear.

 

[Lyric's Dad]

Sorry but some churches (I've been to some) take the phrase "worldly thing" and apply it to everything, IE TV, Radio, Movies, this is legalism. Not all
things in this world are evil. I could say cars, doctors, electricity are all worldly things. Following what the scripture teaches is not legalism, maybe
the definition needs to be made clear.

You are right on. The Apostle Paul said that all things are legal for us but not all things are beneficial. T.V. is not necessarily a bad thing but it can become such if one spends their life pursuing it. I think this goes for about everything. Alcohol is a prime example. Used responsibly, it is fine. But when used to get drunk and in excess, it becomes a killer that will destroy lives. People want to put a line out there and say don't do this and that but that is not what the Gospel is about. While I love to flyfish, I could very easily turn this into a god. I could spend thousands pursuing it (and have in the past) and use up all my time, neglecting my family, my God, and my responsibilities to take part (all of which has been a problem before) but today, I enjoy it on a much more responsible level. I don't have a five hundred dollar fly rod. I have a twenty dollar one. I don't go three times a week but maybe three times a summer. I do not allow it to come between me and God and I don't allow it to be more important then the needs of my family. I think this is how we need to look at the things we enjoy in the world, not get so out of control that we don't allow ourselves to enjoy anything.

 

[Merry Menagerie]

I'm pretty sure we can all be "so-called Christians" at times. It's in our realization of our need for repentance which sets us apart.

Exactly!!!!! It's our ability to overcome that sets us apart - not our ability to 'not sin'.

 

[MrVersatile48]

Just 1 quick point from the great 1st post..

The Bible is very clear that Satan is the enemy of souls, the great deceiver, the father of lies, the destroyer (meaning of his names Abaddon & Apollyon in Revelation)

Satan even hates satanists & witches, etc

As Jesus put it, "The enemy (thief) comes only to steal, kill & destroy, but I have come that you might have life, & have it abundantly!"

He also said, "If anyone denies Me before men, I will deny Him before My Father: if anyone is ashamed of Me & My words, I will be ashamed of him"

Praise God that Jesus is "FAR above all other" & that Satan is under our heel

But rejoice even more that our names are written in the Book of Life

Let's complete His Great Commission of Matt 28 & Mark 16, to hasten His glorious return to this sad, broken, dying world

God bless!

Ian