In today’s post-moderate
church the title of Christian wears so many different faces. Many parishioners’
are very active in various church functions, you can find them in prayer, and Bible
study faithfully; on Sunday mornings they are at the altar praying for a move
of God when service begins. Some attend the local Bible institute or seminary
to become sound in their theological and doctrinal studies, diligently seeking
a greater knowledge of and a closer relationship with God; and then we have the
“Sunday Service Only” Christians
(church folk) who’s sole purpose is to
clear their conscience after raising hell all the other days of the week.
We
also can’t forget the “Spiritually Deep” folk
who live on the mountain all day, every day, hopping from church to church,
conference to conference “Seeking
Revelation From God”, and truthfully speaking are just downright spooky and
silly. It’s become common-place for famous athletes when being interviewed
after a competition to give honor to their Lord and Savior Jesus Christ yet they
visiblely live completely opposite of the characteristics attached to that
great name. R&B recording artist thank Almighty God for awards that they’ve
received when in truth they do absolutely nothing in their daily public life
which even remotely gives God glory.
“SHALL
I GO ON?
Movies such as “The
Fighting Temptations” and “The Gospel” have made a mockery of the Christian
faith, while others such as “The Davinci Code” attempt to dis-credit the life
and deity of Christ. Even Christian broadcasting has stooped to using very
worldly celebrities to validate their networks. I used to ask myself “Where
does the world get the audacity to portray the people of God in such derogatory
settings?” The answer is simple; if imitation is said to be the best form of
flattery then we can only assume that the world has been watching the church…….
very closely.
In case you haven’t noticed;
the Body of Christ is under severe attack by a vile, cunning, and wicked
society. How do they get their information; where do they get their ammunition?
“It’s An Inside Job.” Growing up, my parents always warned me that no
matter where I go in life some one will see what I do; their witness of my
behavior would either be an indictment of my guilt or a testimony to my
innocence. Many Saints in church today are guilty; how, you might ask? Let me
answer the question in this fashion; The Apostle Paul writes in 2nd Corinthians
6:16-17:
“...what agreement hath
the temple of God with idols? For ye are the temple of the living God; as God
hath said; I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and
they will be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate,
saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.”
I ask myself and I ask
you; “Are We Different?” Peter wrote his 1st epistle to the Christians
scattered throughout Asia Minor. In doing so he obeyed two commands given
directly to him from Jesus:
1.
To encourage and strengthen the
brethren
2.
To feed the flock
The
central theme of this epistle is “Victory
over Suffering” as exemplified in the life of Christ. There is no denying
that we suffer through many of the same issues as those outside of Christ;
however we should not respond to life’s issues as the world does.
Peter begins this letter
by admonishing the saints to rid themselves of malice, foul living, and
language; not to live as hypocrites being envious and speaking evil of anyone.
Then he makes a very significant statement in the 5th verse: “Ye also,
as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer
up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.”
·
We
were created to live according to Gods’ precepts
·
We
were created to walk circumspect before Him
·
We
were created to live holy as He is holy
How we live each day should read like the Gospels
as evidence to the great change He’s made in our life.
Then Peter makes the following declaration in the ninth verse: “But ye are
a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people;
that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of
darkness into his marvellous light…”
Two words in this statement are most significant to our identity in
Christ:
·
Chosen – (Greek) “Procheirotoneo” to designate beforehand - (Merriam-Webster) Selected or marked for
favor or special privilege; Ephesians 1:3-4 “Blessed be
the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all
spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the
world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:” expound… “you’re special”
·
Peculiar – (Greek) “Periousios” that which is one’s own,
belonging to one’s possessions – (Merriam
Webster) Different from the usual or normal, strange –expound… Romans 12:1-2
“I beseech 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.” expound… “we
should never condescend to the ways of the world”
Wives; watching Soap Operas, The View, and Desperate
Housewives will not teach you how to deal with your saved husband. Listening to
your un-married girlfriend Laquisha will not show you how to function in your
marriage. Husbands; I don’t care how much you work out, how macho you
are, how skilled your jump shot is or how much money you make; your wife is not
an object for abuse nor is she beneath you; secondly your children are not pets
to be kicked around and neglected.
Young folks; contrary to popular belief your
parents were once young like yourselves; the game you try to kick today is no
surprise to us because we once ran the same game and we were more skilled at
it. We’re not just older; but we are wiser and above all we’re born again!
For those of us who
truly claim Christ; the born again experience is the difference between us and
the world. The difference is; when we are faced with obstacles and difficulties
in life we don’t turn to Oprah and Dr. Phil; we say as the psalmist; “I
will lift up mine eyes unto the hills from whence cometh my help; my help
cometh from the Lord…” Psalm 121:1-2
When our money runs low
and friends turn their backs on us we can say with certainty as David said; “I have
been young and now I’m old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken nor His
seed begging bread.” Psalm 37:25
The difference between us
and the world is:
1.
You
were chosen!
2.
You
are royalty! (a Kings kid)
3.
You’ve
been called to holiness
4.
You
are peculiar! (strange)
For those reasons alone
I am persuaded: “…that neither death nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor
powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any
other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in
Christ Jesus our Lord.”
The difference is; we
were chosen by God; “Now unto Him that is
able to do exceeding, abundantly, above all we ask or think, according to the
power which worketh in us; Unto Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus
throughout all ages, world without end.
A-men!
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