© Copyright 2001, by Jan Wallen
I'm a churchgoer. I always have been and suspect I always will be.
I've been in church ever since I can remember, so it's an old habit
and I think a good one. But I've noticed over the past few years,
things are changing. The churches aren't the same. There's a
movement to be more "in tune" with the people, to do the things they
like and present a more "modern" worship style. To accommodate the
younger generation, the music and preaching is different. In many
churches today, it's OK to "come as you are." No need to dress up,
since God sees you in blue jeans on Monday, why not on Sunday? Why
should Sunday be any different? This idea is attracting more people
into the church so it's a good thing.
As I reflected on that thought, it also occurred to me that many
people are different on Sunday morning than they are the rest of
the week and not only in their dress. Their business ethics,
language, entertainment and interests are often different. So many
of their choices are different from anything taught inside the
Church. Any Church.
I've wondered what God thinks about that.
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess,
for he who promised is faithful.
Hebrews 10:23
If we believe that God is our Friend, Redeemer and Savior, what kind
of friend are we if we claim him as a friend one day and not the
next? If you found out that your best friend talked ugly about you
behind your back, would he still be your best friend?
Yet, don't we expect that of God? How often do we go to his house,
all dressed up and pretty on Sunday morning, talk sweetly to him and
then curse Him or one of his children Monday morning?
How many times do we pretend we don't know much about God and are
barely familiar with Him, but certainly not familiar enough to be
considered fanatical! You know, the God we try to hush up when He
talks, so we can do all the talking.
When we want something, we'll jerk his chain! Good ole' Daddy God,
the supplier of our every need. And want. And whim, desire and
wish. The God who has done far greater things for us than any best
friend ever could. Why does it never occur to us that God should
have the right to say to us, "Some gratitude YOU have. See if I
ever do anything for you again!"
We are to "hold unswervingly to Jesus, the hope we profess,
because God is faithful!" How can we be so indifferent as to
choose otherwise?
Can any of us claim as David did in Psalms
Vindicate me, O LORD, for I have led a blameless life; I
have trusted in the LORD without wavering.
Test me, O LORD, and try me, examine my heart and my mind;
for your love is ever before me, and I walk continually
in your truth.
I do not sit with deceitful men, nor do I consort with
hypocrites;
I abhor the assembly of evildoers and refuse to sit with
the wicked.
I wash my hands in innocence, and go about your altar,
O LORD,
proclaiming aloud your praise and telling of all your
wonderful deeds.
I love the house where you live, O LORD, the place where
your glory dwells.
Do not take away my soul along with sinners, my life with
bloodthirsty men,
in whose hands are wicked schemes, whose right hands are full
of bribes.
But I lead a blameless life; redeem me and be merciful to me.
My feet stand on level ground; in the great assembly I will
praise the LORD.
~ Psalms 26
A blameless life, without wavering! What a goal!
Can you apply this to your daily life? Look at what David wrote.
He did not associate with deceitful, evil, wicked people. He
disassociated himself from those whom he knew to be full of
schemes, bribery and even murder. He found his pleasure in being
around God's house and God's people.
He went about his business talking about his faith and praising
God's works in his life! Not because he was a bearded guy in a
long robe, to whom that came naturally. He says there were all
kinds of evil people around him always. But he chose to be
different! Who else do you know like that? Could you be that
kind of person?
When the time comes that you feel like you can't share your faith
with someone else because you might appear fanatical, or you are
afraid of offending someone because his or her faith is different
from yours, remember David's passion in this Psalm.
Paul tells us:
Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful
nature with its passions and desires.
~ Galatians 5:24
This isn't something you can do by willpower, education or hard
work. This is something that can only be done when you come to
the Father, recognizing your true relationship with him, as a
sinner who was redeemed from your inevitable fate by Jesus'
action on the cross. When we have asked him for restoration
into his kingdom, he has promised to "forgive us our sins and
to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
Only then will you know the true meaning of honesty and integrity.
It will govern all you do, because He will govern all you do.
Sunday Saint? That's me! Monday Sinner? Yes, again, but a
forgiven Monday Sinner, who can live life free of guilt, knowing
I've been accepted into the Kingdom and that God looks at me, and
his son Jesus, and sees us exactly the same way! I'm a "Son of
God, a joint heir with Jesus!" Boy, what a heady thought that is!
But, like Jesus, I have the responsibility to live a life pleasing
to the Father who provides life itself with all its trials and
pleasures! Not just because it's a "rule" that I grudgingly
follow, but because I am eternally grateful for all the goodness
that I see, all that God has provided around me in spite of the
evil that Satan does to destroy His handiwork.
Monday Sinner for sure, but a changed, redeemed sinner and one who
feels an obligation to let the world know the source of my elation
and my commitment to living an abundant life of gratitude and
servitude to the One who provided it!
How would you describe your Mondays?
Jan Wallen is the owner of http://www.StraightPaths.com/ a site dedicated to helping Christian business people conduct their businesses based on Christian principles. Her free bi-monthly newsletter, the Straight Paths Ezine, is filled with sensible, practical advice to help you in the work place. Subscriptions are available by visiting her website or you may send a blank e-mail to straightpaths@aweber.com
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