The pendulum swings worldly

Some years ago I understand that the church in America had in many ways suffered from legalism. In an effort to see all church members live holy and pious lives, church leaders devised many rules to be followed. Many of the rules were good, however, following rules doesn’t change hearts.

So the next generation was awakened to the great error of legalism, which often is oppressive for those who seek to live under it’s thumb. They then reacted against it and are still doing so. The unfortunate part of this is that the church has gone too far the other way. Like a pendulum that was way to the right, it has now swung way to the left rather than settle in the middle where it ought to be. The church is no longer legalistic for the most part but rather the church is worldly. Both of these are equally dangerous and sinful.

Christ had many strong words to say against the legalistic religious leaders of His day. He considered them to be the tools of Satan, causing many to stumble and leading many others astray. Paul the apostle on the other hand many strong words to say against Christians who thought they could live worldly lives. He challenged such people and even commanded that they be handed over to Satan for the destruction of their flesh so that if possible they would be saved.

Christ and Paul openly denounced both legalism and worldliness. So why is it that so many so called Christians fail to find the balance between these extremes. I have been very troubled as of late over some Christians I know who in some way have dishonored Christ by their worldliness. Such people either do not recognize their sin or are ignoring it, thinking that they are justified in living as the world does.

Now I am not talking about openly blatant sin or sinners. I am talking about people who sit in the pew next to you at church who by all appearances seem to fit the general description of a church going good person. They don’t rob banks, steal from the poor, or carry on conversations with expletives. Rather they do other things which dishonor Christ and His Church. For instance in the world of the internet they list on their personal profiles that they are Christians and then three sentences down they profess that their favorite TV show is Desperate Housewives—now of course to the world this show is edifying and simply entertaining. But the Christian ought to see it for what it is—a display of sensuality and fleshly lust gratifying filth. Most definitely this cannot please Christ.

Oh you who set your affections upon this world and the things of it do not openly confess Christ for in doing so you blaspheme His name. Do you not know that the Lord has said to avoid every kind of evil even the appearance of it (1Thess 5:22). We ought to be like Job who shunned evil but rather we sit at its table and eat (Job 1:1,3, 2:3).

Do you not see that when you call yourself a Christian but you look, smell and taste like the world you hurdle insults at our Savior and His church. You must not with one breath say that you are a Christian and then in the next partake of the world as though it is becoming of you. If you claim Christ then live Christ. If you confess Christ then be consistent with decree of Holiness. Be holy as I am Holy the Lord has said but far too many live as though they can define holiness to suit thier needs.

Christian if you truly be, then cling to Christ and know His way. Do not pretend to be something if you are not for what honor is there in hypocrisy. No one is perfect, Christian or not but this is no excuse for living as a son of wrath. But if you are known by Christ, if you have been born again by the Spirit of God then what have you to do with the world? Indeed detest its pleasures and run to God.

1 John 2:15-17 Do not love the world or anything in the world . If anyone loves the world , the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world — the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does — comes not from the Father but from the world . The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.