Alastair Begg (do you not just love his accent?) was speaking on a topic similar to the one I had just posted yesterday. I listened while I was making up my bed and getting ready for the day.
Something he said really stood out at me:
“The world isn’t asking us (the church) about pre-marital sex because the statistics are the same in the church as they are outside it; the world isn’t asking us about divorce because as many Christians are divorcing as non-Christians.”
I’ve actually heard Christians suggest that this is a good thing, because it helps the non-believer to “feel at home” in the church when there is as much brokenness there that is in his own life.
Could there be a more mis-guided idea?
So there “Beggs” the question…what is going on?
Why are believers afraid to look different–to live differently than the world? And why do we insist on doing the same things, continuing to get the same, really bad results! (Einstein called that insanity.)
Are we afraid of a little criticism for living a life that is set-apart? Do we crave man’s approval so much that we are willing to compromise our lives, our marriages and our children and grandchildren?
I don’t know what that looks like in every area. And no, I’m not necessarily referring to a “look” as in outward appearance, although a lot could be said about modesty and respectful dress. But I do know that as a whole, the church is MISSING the mark.
We have more churches than ever, more programs than ever, more funds than ever, more evangelical tools than ever–and we’re doing worse than ever in terms of living lives that are transformed by the power of God.
“These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.” Matthew 15:8
A changed life should be just that–changed…different…noticeable. The world should be asking us, simply by the fruit of our lives, the joy of our marriages, the honor and obedience of our children, the peace of our finances, the outcome of our daily living out the Word of God–they should be asking us about those things!
Are we willing to lose it all to gain it all?