A few months ago I wrote a blog titled, “You’re making Him look bad!”  My main discussion point was how the actions of Christians are making God look bad.  I spoke of the highly publicized downfalls of some of our past mega-church pastors and the reproach their actions were bringing to God’s name.  I also stated Christendom couldn’t blame the media and others for causing Christianity to be viewed in a negative light, as we were doing that all by ourselves.  Everywhere I turn lately I’ve got all these red flags popping up in my head.  I keep asking myself what is truly happening here?  Seems like all we’re (Christians) doing these days is blending in with the world around us.  I’m bothered when I look at my Facebook feed and see church-attending, self-proclaimed Christians discussing attending a viewing of an upcoming movie about strippers.  I’m bothered when I see pictures of these same people involved in things that would make the worst of sinners blush.  I don’t want to sound ‘preachy’ right now but I wouldn’t be doing my job if I didn’t say something.

I recently heard someone mention how bothered they were at the horrible things going on around us in the world, as if they expected more from mankind as a whole.  In my mind I questioned why they were really surprised.  Those who have purposefully chosen not to live a Christian life don’t really have standard to live by.  They have absolutely nothing to prove to anyone, nor any reason to “set themselves apart.”  Sure, there are laws in place, as there should be, to keep our society from going absolutely bonkers.  Beyond basic laws there are no other standards.  I was scanning the radio recently and heard some guy croon off the one-liner, “…..we’re waiting on the world to change.”  NEWS FLASH:  It’s not going to happen…..the world is not going to change.  We are absolutely living in the end times and, whether we care to admit it, things WILL get worse.  I guess the main purpose for my blog and the question I want to pose is this:  When will the church start choosing to, “come out from among them..”?  I don’t know about anyone else but everywhere I turn there are alarms going off in my head.  I see Christians blatantly involving themselves in things that bring reproach to the name of God.  Apparently this issue isn’t just a problem in modern times as we’re reminded in the word of God we should choose whether we will be hot or cold.  If we’re lukewarm we can be expected to be discarded or “spewed.”

Let me put this into perspective for a minute.  Anyone who has been a part of our society in the past 50 years knows who Billy Graham is.  In my thirty-six years on this earth I have NEVER heard anyone say a negative thing about this great man of God.  How do you think it would affect society as a whole and bring reproach to the name of God should we find out he cheated on his wife and had a ‘love child.’  Oh, and he has an alcohol, pornography, and drug issue he’s never been able to shake.  Thankfully, none of us are expected to be perfect and God will forgive us of our sins.  But here’s the thing, can you imagine the ripple effect it would have on the Christian AND non-Christian world if this were to happen.  I dare say this instance may drive some further away from the Christian faith as the life he lived would have reflected perceived hypocrisy.  Every good thing he had ever done for Christ would now stand in the shadow of this revelation.  Now, turn the corner with me.  What if the God in YOU is the ONLY God someone around you ever experiences?  Why would you involve yourself in questionable practices that could cause someone else to stumble?  We as Christians can’t help usher in positive change in our society and truly be ‘salt and light’ until the word of God changes US!  “…if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”  [2 Chron. 7:14]  It’s time for God’s people to WAKE UP!!!!  The alarm is sounding!!!!!  Stop putting the pillow over your head and slapping the snooze button!!  “The harvest is plentiful…….”  Get to work, man/woman of God!!!!