So Mark and I were talking a little while ago about the sad state of the world we live in, and our place as Christians in it. How so many people walk through the streets of immorality every day but choose to ignore it rather than take a stand against it. They act as though it's no big deal---pretending it's not there. "As long as I'm not doing it, it's okay."
But the truth is, sin is like a dust.
Every day, we walk through it and every day this dust--this filth rises from the streets and clings to us. And sooner or later, it will begin clouding our vision. We'll stop distinguishing immoral behavior as sin and see it as "the norm". We won't be as affected by the dark consequences of sin because we see it and experience it every day. And if we aren't careful, the intense fire we should be carrying bearing the love and example of Christ will shrink to a wavering flicker. That's exactly what's been happening in our society.
In Mark's words, "People have become numb."
People have become numb and desensitized to immoral, worldly behavior. Chastity, modesty, and respect for human dignity have become optional. Instead of setting their standards to those of Christ's, people now stretch their standards in order to "fit in" with society.
If we take a step back and look at how worldly standards have affected our own, we see that there is a great need for call to action. We can no longer trudge through life and pretend the filth of sin doesn't cloud our judgement. We can no longer remain idle in a world that desperately needs a good example.
We need to step outside our comfort zone and take a stand.
How many of you have gone to March for Life, wearing your pro-life t-shirts proudly in a group of tens of thousands? How many of you attend Praise and Worship sessions and Bible studies at your church? How many of you choose a modest outfit to wear to Youth Group activities?
Now, how many of you wear your pro-life shirts when hanging out with your "secular" friends, or by yourself to a bar or restaurant where you know you'll be judged? How many of you take what you learn from those Bible studies and go out and "make disciples of all men"? How many of you choose to wear longer shorts, a higher top, or a swimsuit which offers more covering when "everyone else" isn't? How many of you decide that your Christian values do not change dependent upon the crowd that you're with?
Yes, it's great to be involved in church activities and have a solid church family. But that's just the foundation. Now we need to build upon that and be living, active witnesses in the world. We're called to live in the world but not of the world. Don't compromise our principles to fit "the norm" of a sinful society. Act to change "the norm" of society to imitate Christ. And in doing so, reignite that flame and be a witness. Set yourself on fire with passion for Christ.
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted."
Hebrews 12:1-3
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Beauty and Complexity of Life
Thought this was interesting and pretty informative...
A breakdown of Fetal Development (with pictures!):
http://www.nrlc.org/abortion/facts/fetaldevelopment.html
So what gives people the right to end the life growing inside of them? It's such a beautiful miracle--I just can't understand how they can justify throwing it away like garbage. The world needs a change of heart so the value and dignity of human life becomes a priority--seems to me that it's seriously lacking.
A breakdown of Fetal Development (with pictures!):
http://www.nrlc.org/aborti
So what gives people the right to end the life growing inside of them? It's such a beautiful miracle--I just can't understand how they can justify throwing it away like garbage. The world needs a change of heart so the value and dignity of human life becomes a priority--seems to me that it's seriously lacking.
Britney Thinks That Living in Sin is the New Thing...
Does it bother anyone else that the world seems to be pressuring its inhabitants to ignore morality, turn off their consciences, and live a life of sin? We're bombarded with messages that sex is just a game, people are nothing but objects to be manipulated for our own gain, women should dress like whores to be considered 'beautiful', and guys, if you're still a virgin by age 20 something must be wrong with you.
It's not hard to slip into this downward spiral of sin and lies. Why not live as if there are no consequences to our actions? There's no one to keep us in check. It's not like God's a factor anymore--He's been torn out of schools, ripped out of public places, and covered up so as not to 'offend' anyone. And with God out of the picture, it's a lot easier to believe that this world is the only one that matters.
But the truth is, God does exist no matter how hard some people try to wipe away all visible traces of Him. Our actions do have consequences--both here in this world and in the next. And while God may be getting pushed aside in public places for the sake of the 'politically correct', we must remember that as long as humanity exists, no one can fully erase the evidence of God's presence. We ourselves are examples of morality, modesty, and lives of virtue. Instead of flowing with the crowd and ignoring our consciences, fight against it. Be that person who attracts attention because you act with integrity, dress respectfully, and refuse to remove God from the equation. Be that person who makes other people question their own actions. Be that person who upholds and glorifies the manner in which we were created--in the image and likeness of God.
And through this, let's show Britney, and the rest of the world, that living in sin is not the new thing.
It's not hard to slip into this downward spiral of sin and lies. Why not live as if there are no consequences to our actions? There's no one to keep us in check. It's not like God's a factor anymore--He's been torn out of schools, ripped out of public places, and covered up so as not to 'offend' anyone. And with God out of the picture, it's a lot easier to believe that this world is the only one that matters.
But the truth is, God does exist no matter how hard some people try to wipe away all visible traces of Him. Our actions do have consequences--both here in this world and in the next. And while God may be getting pushed aside in public places for the sake of the 'politically correct', we must remember that as long as humanity exists, no one can fully erase the evidence of God's presence. We ourselves are examples of morality, modesty, and lives of virtue. Instead of flowing with the crowd and ignoring our consciences, fight against it. Be that person who attracts attention because you act with integrity, dress respectfully, and refuse to remove God from the equation. Be that person who makes other people question their own actions. Be that person who upholds and glorifies the manner in which we were created--in the image and likeness of God.
And through this, let's show Britney, and the rest of the world, that living in sin is not the new thing.
Resolution
In a time of New Year's resolutions, let's make one of our own...
1 Timothy 2:9 says "Women should adorn themselves with proper conduct, with modesty and self-control..."
Matthew 5:27-28 says "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery.' But I say to you, everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart."
Society says "Women, you must wear less clothing to be beautiful. Treat yourselves as objects of lust and immorality. Men, use women for self-satisfaction and treat them with disrespect."
And we wonder why there is so much impurity in the world. The pressures and messages of mainstream media, degrading music, and television shows that glorify bad decisions seem to be overshadowing the one message we should actually be listening to: the Word of God.
As winter turns to spring and spring to summer, the pressures become greater to dress a certain way. Women fall victim to the idea that in order to be noticed or valued they should wear the equivalent of a stripper's outfit. Men become desensitized to the sanctity of a woman's body as women run around half naked, not leaving much to the imagination. How sad is it that the guy who helped introduce the modern bikini had to hire a nude dancer to show off the design (he couldnt find a model who would do it), but now people have no problem wearing next to nothing for the whole world to see.
Does it strike odd to anyone else that we preach chastity and 'saving ourselves for marriage' yet modesty doesn't seem to be given a second glance? Modesty is a virtue of chastity and whether single or married we're all called to live chaste lives. We don't think it's right for a couple to see each other in their undergarments before marriage, yet it's "okay" to go to the beach together in swimsuits that actually cover less than the average underwear? Where is the logic in that?
The fact of the matter is, society has desensitized us all to immodesty. We aren't passionate enough about our own human dignity and something needs to change. We need to respect ourselves and respect each other. As Matthew wrote in the above verse, lusting after a woman is a grave sin. And likewise, being the object of temptation and dressing in a way to cause lust is also a sin. As women, we need to respect our men and look out for them. Don't dress in a way to cause them to sin. As men, we need to support our women to be beautiful women of God and treat them with respect.
This New Year I dare you to listen to the Word of God and not to the misleading messages of society. Women, we are daughters of the Lord and temples of the Holy Spirit. I dare you to rid your closets of immodest attire. Don't wear that string bikini to the beach this year knowing that it's no better than walking around in lingerie. Wear something that respects the fact that you're made in the image and likeness of God. Men, support your sisters in Christ by encouraging them to dress modestly. Affirm their decision by telling them that they really are more beautiful for doing so and you respect their efforts to place chastity above vanity and worldly pressure.
The only way we can be good witnesses in the world is to rid ourselves of worldly ideals for Christ-centered ones, and take action against the pitfalls of society. Hopefully in this way we can inspire others to realize their own dignity and promote self-respect and respect for others.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?...Therefore glorify God in your body."
1 Timothy 2:9 says "Women should adorn themselves with proper conduct, with modesty and self-control..."
Matthew 5:27-28 says "You have heard that it was said, 'You shall not commit adultery.' But I say to you, everyone who looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart."
Society says "Women, you must wear less clothing to be beautiful. Treat yourselves as objects of lust and immorality. Men, use women for self-satisfaction and treat them with disrespect."
And we wonder why there is so much impurity in the world. The pressures and messages of mainstream media, degrading music, and television shows that glorify bad decisions seem to be overshadowing the one message we should actually be listening to: the Word of God.
As winter turns to spring and spring to summer, the pressures become greater to dress a certain way. Women fall victim to the idea that in order to be noticed or valued they should wear the equivalent of a stripper's outfit. Men become desensitized to the sanctity of a woman's body as women run around half naked, not leaving much to the imagination. How sad is it that the guy who helped introduce the modern bikini had to hire a nude dancer to show off the design (he couldnt find a model who would do it), but now people have no problem wearing next to nothing for the whole world to see.
Does it strike odd to anyone else that we preach chastity and 'saving ourselves for marriage' yet modesty doesn't seem to be given a second glance? Modesty is a virtue of chastity and whether single or married we're all called to live chaste lives. We don't think it's right for a couple to see each other in their undergarments before marriage, yet it's "okay" to go to the beach together in swimsuits that actually cover less than the average underwear? Where is the logic in that?
The fact of the matter is, society has desensitized us all to immodesty. We aren't passionate enough about our own human dignity and something needs to change. We need to respect ourselves and respect each other. As Matthew wrote in the above verse, lusting after a woman is a grave sin. And likewise, being the object of temptation and dressing in a way to cause lust is also a sin. As women, we need to respect our men and look out for them. Don't dress in a way to cause them to sin. As men, we need to support our women to be beautiful women of God and treat them with respect.
This New Year I dare you to listen to the Word of God and not to the misleading messages of society. Women, we are daughters of the Lord and temples of the Holy Spirit. I dare you to rid your closets of immodest attire. Don't wear that string bikini to the beach this year knowing that it's no better than walking around in lingerie. Wear something that respects the fact that you're made in the image and likeness of God. Men, support your sisters in Christ by encouraging them to dress modestly. Affirm their decision by telling them that they really are more beautiful for doing so and you respect their efforts to place chastity above vanity and worldly pressure.
The only way we can be good witnesses in the world is to rid ourselves of worldly ideals for Christ-centered ones, and take action against the pitfalls of society. Hopefully in this way we can inspire others to realize their own dignity and promote self-respect and respect for others.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?...Therefore glorify God in your body."
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