Next year I will be 60 years old. I know! I KNOW! You younger ones are thinking, “Man! She’s ancient! I wonder if she knew Noah!” And those of you who are my seniors are thinking, “Oh, honey! That’s not so very old! You’ve got a way to go, yet!” To both of you, I say, “Well, you’re right! This old gray mare sure ain’t what she used to be, but hopefully, she ain’t what she’s gonna be in twenty years either!”
The point that I wanted to make though, is that although a number of things are still very similar to how they were 40 to 50 years ago, others are totally different! Through the years, in somethings (especially in the field of technology), we have made great strides, and we can readily see the tremendous improvements from their past counterparts. However, in other areas, not all the changes have been good. In fact, some are truly ghastly, shocking, and others are downright appalling!
I have heard it said that the word “change” is synonymous with “progress”. George Bernard Shaw said that, “Progress is impossible without change.” And Canadian psychotherapist and writer Nathaniel Branden said, “The first step toward change is awareness. The second step is acceptance.”
The meaning of the word “awareness” is: “to have knowledge or understanding of a problem or situation”. However, along with awareness, we must also have discernment. Discernment is needed, not only to determine the reason why change is needed, but also, so that we might take into account the far reaching results of anything we do affect that change.
While I agree it is important to welcome change that leads to progress, it is essential that we fight against any change that may retard our growth and development as individuals or as a nation, or one that would lead us away from the unchangeable, unalterable laws and principles of the Word of God. As Christians, we should NEVER lend our support to ANY change, no matter how popular it is, if it is not in harmony with God’s Word. This principle is to be applied to every aspect of our lives. This would include any changes we might make that would influence or affect our laws, our government, and those whom we choose to be in leadership.
There are many, today, who say that they are God’s children and that they not only believe the Bible, but also live by its unchanging words. But sadly, I have observed that instead of standing firm and unapologetically upon the principles of God's Word, more and more are becoming chameleons, trying to blend into the background and fit into the environment of the world around them. Some of these same people have attempted to explain their position to me. They tell me that Christians (especially Baptists) are too different from the "norm", and that our “straight laced” and “unbending” doctrine turns people off. They are convinced that, to reach the lost, we must change our ways and learn to compromise. We just need to “loosen up” and try to “fit in”! (By the way, that “unbending doctrine” that they talk about is taken out of God’s unchanging Word!)
Now I consider myself a flexible person. As a missionary who lives in a third world country, I have to be flexible! If you are rigid and unbending in your cultural beliefs and habits, if you cannot adapt to their language and ways, you will not only be miserable and unhappy, you will be ineffective in reaching people for Christ. However, when it comes to Biblical principles and truths, "flexible" is not a viable word. God, Himself, put His rules in His Book and I, as a finite human being, am not at liberty to change them… no matter where I live!
Let me give you this example: Let's pretend that I had been sent to try to reach a certain remote tribe for Christ. Now this tribe lived deep in the jungle, and it was a well know fact that these people ran around naked, wore bones in both their ears and one through their nose, styled their hair with the excrement of monkeys and, worst of all, they were cannibals. I do not think that to reach them, God would have me take off all my clothes, stick bones in my ears and nose, rub monkey feces in my hair, and then, while we all sit around the campfire eating a leisurely meal of nachos made from my neighbor's children I begin to tell them about Jesus! Adopting their ungodly ways so that I might blend in and be "less offensive" would not be the way to reach them for Christ. But rather, being a living, uncompromising, loving example of God's Word and His precepts would be, in my opinion, a more effective way to reach them. I would instead, seek to show them by my attitude and lifestyle, the difference that only accepting Jesus and His teachings can make. You see, God’s Word teaches us that it is NEVER right to do wrong to accomplish right!
Now, I realize that many disagree with my views, and those who believe as I do seem to be in the minority. I also know that many will consider me an unbending, old fashioned, religious “dinosaur”. Well, that’s okay with me, because everyone has a right to their own opinion. And there is one more thing I should tell you. When I hear some of those same people chuckling and making fun of those who still "wear a tie" to church and are still trying to do the old "Baptist thing”, or I see them shaking their heads, clucking their tongues and calling us “legalistic stick in the muds”, it bothers me not in the least.
`I will say, that although I disagree with some of their practices, most of those pastors (at least the ones I know) are still doctrinally sound and are interesting speakers. But more and more, we see that these pastors eventually tend to preach a more "socially acceptable gospel" and begin neglecting to address sin and uncomfortable issues such as the doctrine of hell, the of homosexuality, abortion, premarital sex and adultery, dishonesty, modesty, lying, drunkenness, etc. For this reason, I believe they are sending a mixed message to their congregations… a message that says, “God loves you and wants to save you. Accept Him as your Savior. After that, you needn't change a thing because it doesn’t really matter to God how you live. We serve a wonderful God of love Who, after all, looks at our heart and not the outward appearance." That message is partially true. We DO serve a God of love who looks upon our heart. However, He is also a holy God and a righteous Judge, and He will hold us accountable for how we live and the choices we make. I have observed that many that come from those types of ministries, tend to live their lives as if being a Christian is nothing more than a game – something that you can put on or take off, depending on the circumstances, like a handy little “hat” or a game of “pretend”. They put it on when they, or someone they love is gravely ill and they are in need of a Divine Physician. Or, if they are faced with some serious problem over which they have no control, they suddenly remember God and turn to Him. You may be sure that they can and will quickly get their “Christian hat” on when they see the pastor knocking at their door. And on the Sundays when they do go to church, without a doubt they will be standing straight and tall, singing loudly and freely moving to the music’s beat, and there, bouncing up and down on their head, you will see that little “hat”, all dusted, polished, and tilted stylishly just so. And I am confident that, if you listen, you will hear some “praise the Lords” and “Amens” for good measure! (You see, it’s important to understand the language and know when and how to use it!)
But unfortunately, when they are around their unbelieving buddies at school or on the job, most will make sure that their bothersome little “Christian hat” is hidden far back in the darkest corner of their “junk closet”… but not so far back that they cannot grab it, dust it off and quickly put it on again the next time it’s needed.
You would think that a guilty person, who had been spared the death penalty and eternity in Hell, would have a tremendous appreciation and an undying love and loyalty toward the One who took their place. Jesus, God's own Son, was the Innocent One who exchanged His eternal robe of holy deity for the stained and filthy robe of mortal humanity and limited Himself to the frailties of man. Then, on the cross of Calvary, He willingly paid the blood price for our sin and died in our place!
“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” - Romans 5:8
But instead, many think little of the fact that they have been forgiven and redeemed and no longer need to fear death and Hell. Instead of approaching God the Father thankfully and reverently, as a blood-bought, dearly beloved child of the King, too many are inclined to treat Him more like their “sugar daddy”. Just like a spoiled child, they go to Him only if they want or need something, and they whine and complain if He asks something of them. Then, the remainder of the time, they ignore Him and His Word, living and doing exactly what they please, either oblivious or unconcerned that they are breaking the Father’s heart.
According to God’s Word, being a Christian is not just a “title”. It is a way of life! True believers are to live their lives according to His Word. Romans 12:1-2 tells us that God wants His children to be different. Those verses are very clear. They say,
“I beseech you (or beg you) therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, [which is] your reasonable service. And be not **conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what [is] that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”
In Titus 2:13-14, God also tells us that we are to be a peculiar people. Before you read these verses, you need to understand that the word “peculiar” means more than just “wierd" or "different”. If you look it up, you will discover that it also means “out of the ordinary, nonconforming, or uncommon”. Now, look at these verses from God’s Word.
“Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a *peculiar people, *(**nonconforming, out of the ordinary, uncommon) zealous of good works.”
And why does He want us to be different from the rest of the world? I Peter 2: 9 tells us why:
“But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a *peculiar (uncommon, special) people; (Why?) That ye should show forth the praises of him who has called you out of darkness (“darkness” speaks of your sinful, lost, Hell-bound condition) into his marvelous light:”
Now, I said all of that just to say this:
I believe our nation is slowly being destroyed because we have too many “so called” Christians who are more concerned about whether they are perceived as being politically correct rather than being Biblically correct! At work, at school, and even at home, too many are busy trying to fit in and be accepted by non-Christians. Most are so afraid that they will be labeled as different, peculiar or weird, that they go out of their way to make sure that they dress, talk, act... and even vote, like everyone else around them. Christians should vote, not according to their political affiliation, not according to the candidate's color or sex, nor on the type of "hand out" the candidates are promising. They should not vote according to the candidate’s ethnic roots… or even their religious preferences. Bur rather, we should examine each candidate (1) according to their knowledge and understanding of our constitution, our government and our foreign policies and will work to uphold and preserve them. He should have (2) a working knowledge of our country's financial situation and economy. We need to ask ourselves if he is (3.) the kind of man (or woman) that would lead... or would he rule America? (4.) Do they genuinely care what the people of America want? (5) Would they be willing to listen to the suggestions of their fellow elected politicians and (6) put the well fair of our nation ahead of their own personal agendas? (7) Are they the kind of person who is so arrogant and self-important that they will do ANYthing to see their their “pet programs” implemented – to the point of shoving it down the throats of protesting Americans… even if it chokes them to death? And, more importantly, as Christians we must determine if they are (8) a person of integrity and honesty who (9.) relies on God’s divine help and (10) weighs each and every decision against the truths and teachings of the Word of God. After all… these are the principals upon which our country was founded!
Yes, sometimes change is good… but all change is NOT progress, all change is NOT good, and some things should NEVER change! If we, as God’s children do not start standing up and being “salt” and “light”, things WILL change… and we will NOT be happy with the result!
Life as we know it will cease to exist and….
it will be our children and grandchildren who will pay for our sins!!!
My Dear Christian Friend,
PLEASE, PRAY FOR OUR NATION…
And
VOTE!!!
And Remember Whose Name You Bear
When You Go To The Polls!
“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; THEN will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” -2 Chronicles 7:14
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