Transforming Ineffective Church

We live in a world...where Christians are more likely to be passive spectators than active participants in the mission of God.  That’s NOT holy living is it?

The Christian world of today, expects preachers and teachers to minister to them... to “tickle their ears” and speak only in gentle tones with soothing words laced with overwhelming and affirming love (2 Timothy 4:3-4).  They desire to be the “objects” of the Church’s ministry rather than partners in the ministry of saving souls.  

People love to be passive spectators rather than active participants in the mission of God. Passive means no responsibility and no accountability for what you personally are doing for God.  The attitude is prevalent across all of Christendom: Outreach, evangelism, it’s always someone else’s responsibility – the preachers, the elders, the leadership in the congregation.   We have to decide whether we’re going to be part of that ineffective [unholy] system or whether we’re going to break free from that system.

God has filled churches with redeemed and spiritually gifted people to accomplish His agenda in the community, to see His gospel preached, and to see people shown the real true love of Christ.  It’s shameful to squander such talent by making ourselves the center of attention.

The true love of Christ is work, hard work.  It’s learning to deal with personal confrontation with uncomfortable truths about who you are and what God expects of you.  God’s love has given you a fresh start, an undeserved opportunity [grace] through Christ, to pursue a restored relationship with Him.  But that relationship is not one-sided, where you sit back and bask in being ministered to... it’s a relationship wherein you are equipped to do what God has commissioned you to do... seek and save the lost. (Matthew 28:19-20)

When preachers, pastors and staff do for people what God has called His people to do, everyone gets hurt and the mission of God is hindered.  The problem is the prevailing church system teaches its flock first to pay, then pray and then stay out of the way so you don’t interfere with the “lather, rinse, repeat” formula that defines the ineffective church of today.  It’s time to evaluate what we have been doing, all the while patting ourselves on the back, thinking we’ve got church right.  It’s time to break free from the ineffective system.  

Part of living holy lives is to bring God glory (1 Peter 4:11).  We need to change the way we present everything we call “doing church” so that what we are doing from worship in the assembly to individual evangelism brings glory to God.  

How can we do this?   STOP being satisfied with the status quo of the church as a superstore dispensing worship and programs that entertain us and attempt to educate our children. Instead, change your perspective –– see church as the “equipping center for evangelism” God intend it to be.  The results will be a bit unnerving.  Some people won't like it and may even leave the fellowship of the congregation, but God will get His due glory and He will grow the flock.  

Holy living is a life lived in passionate pursuit of the qualities of God.  In what direction are you living... towards Him and His Mission or towards your self-centeredness?  Give that some thought.

Holy Living... Why so Important?

Most Christians in America are not Christians at all, if you measure their conduct and behavior against the expectations of a Holy God.  

The things that are important to us, the entertainment we indulge in, our endless excuses for justifying sinful attitudes and conduct, make us no different than the ungodly world around us.  In America, its become difficult to identify real Christians from the phony ones.  Reminds me of the parable of the “wheat and the tares” that God allows both the “real and the phony” to grow together during the Church age, before His return.  (Matthew 13:24-30)

Common negative perceptions among non-Christians is that present-day Christianity and its so-called adherents are judgmental (87 percent), hypocritical (85 percent), old-fashioned (78 percent), and too involved in politics (75 percent).  I’m not sure about the “old fashioned” criticism... if that means real Christians don’t compromise Biblical truths and God’s commands for holy living, then being “old fashioned” just might be the pathway to a genuine holy lifestyle.

For the most part, Christians are well aware of the criticisms toward Christianity, but do very little to change the negative perceptions held by non-believers.   According to one study... 91 percent of the nation's Christians believe that "Americans are becoming more hostile and negative toward Christianity."  Change starts with each person, who calls themselves a Christian.  How are you living?  What are you doing and how are you acting?  What are non-believers seeing in your conduct and attitudes?  Are you living in such a way that non-believers can see a “difference” in your lifestyle... or are you living like everyone else in the ungodly world?

The concept of living “holy lives” has boggled the minds of Christians for ages. All people who claim Christ as their savior are called by God to work at living “apart from the world” but it seems so impossible.  Many Christians are incredulous and skeptical of the concept of being able to live holy lives. 

All who claim the name of Christ are called to be holy, which means to be separated or set apart in close fellowship with God. The Word of God, makes it clear that we are called to emulate the holiness of God in our conduct and attitudes towards the things of the world.    Indeed, we do see ourselves as constantly fighting against the allure of sinful living, but God sees us (in His image) as having the right and opportunity to be holy and blameless in His sight.  The only possible way to have a relationship with God is to be seen by Him as striving to live holy lives.   Let’s look at what the Bible says about man being holy before God.

GOD is Unique... ONE of a Kind.

In Exodus 15:11, we read, “Who is like you among the gods, O LORD? Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in praises, working wonders?” The obvious answer to this question is that no one is like “the” God. In 1 Samuel 2:2, it is written, “There is no one holy like the LORD, indeed, there is no one besides you, nor is there any rock like our God.” David said in a psalm concerning God, “Exalt the LORD our God and worship at His holy hill, for holy is the LORD our God.” God is the only one ever to be known as the fullness of holiness (Psalm 99:9; 111:9; Isaiah 6:3). Even to this day we are to recognize our God as holy, for, “Who will not fear, O Lord, and glorify Your name? For You alone are holy; for all the nations will come and worship before you, for your righteous acts have been revealed” (Revelation 15:4).

MAN NEEDS TO ASPIRE TO HOLINESS

Once Christians understand that God is holy, we are then encouraged to be like Him. Jesus said, “Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matthew 5:48). Another rendition of this passage is seen in the writing of Peter in I Peter 1:15-16, “…but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all [your] behavior; because it is written, "YOU SHALL BE HOLY, FOR I AM HOLY.” We are actually commanded to emulate the holiness of God.  It seems impossible.  So we must learn what it means to develop a lifestyle that reflects the attitudes essential for holy living.

THE WAY MAN CAN BE HOLY

The evidence that man can be holy is seen not only by example, but by direct description. In 2 Kings 4:9 it is said of Elisha, “She said to her husband, ‘Behold now, I perceive that this is a holy man of God passing by us continually.’” Even King Herod knew that John the Baptist was such a man, “…a righteous and holy man, and he {Herod} kept him safe. And when he heard him, he was very perplexed; but he used to enjoy listening to him” (Mark 6:20).

In Ephesians 4:22-24 we find that the main step towards a lifestyle of holiness is to obey the gospel, and put on the “new man.” Paul wrote... “that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and put on the new self, which in {the likeness of} God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.” Before someone has washed away the sins from their life in baptism (Acts 2:38; 22:16) they have not put on the new man of holiness (Romans 6:1-8). 

Peter said of those who have been sanctified, “…you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” (I Peter 2:5). It is after we are committed to Christ [by baptism] that we can begin a transformation of every nook and cranny of our former self, moving our lives into harmony with the Holy God.   Paul wrote to the Christians in Corinth with the exhortation... “Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God” (2 Corinthians 7:1).  When you begin to think of yourself being in harmony with God, which I think is what everyone wants when they become a follower of Christ, then its not so daunting to consider living a holy life.    

WHY SHOULD WE BE STRIVING TO LIVE HOLY LIVES?

The Bible encourages us to be holy by reminding us that the only way to be in a genuine relationship with God is to live a life of holiness. That means living different than the world around you.  It means separating yourself from the things of the world, the things that can cause unbelievers to question who you really are... a real or pseudo Christian.   It’s YOU... you make the difference, positive or negative, by how you act and what you do, as the world of unbelievers observe your conduct and behavior. “Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no one will see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14).

Paul admonished the Thessalonians, “…and may the Lord cause you to increase and abound in love for one another, and for all people, just as we also {do} for you; so that He may establish your hearts without blame in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His saints” (I Thessalonians 3:12-13).

There should be no doubt in our mind that we must live, “In holiness and righteousness before Him all our days”, which is our “spiritual service of worship” (Luke 1:75; Romans 12:1-2). 

Are you living in holiness before a holy God?  If you are not a Christian, living a life that is completely dedicated to the holy service of God, maybe its time for you to obey the gospel, following the Holy One who gave His life for you (Acts 2:38).

Holy Living and Worldly Entertainment... are they compatible?

What does Scripture teach about playing video games, especially video games that have violent, adult, and other content that is sinful? For example, how should a Christian handle playing a video game such as Grand Theft Auto where the games glorifies obscenities, illicit sex and murder along with many other sinful activities? Or what about a military type video game where violence is glorified in the context of war? Is it wrong according to God's Will and Word to immerse ourselves in such forms of entertainment?

Before delving into this subject, let me clarify an important point for youth and adults:  whether its a video game with profanity, sexual situations, sinful role playing or similar content in a movie, television show, music, or a book, the counsel from God’s Word will be the same.

Jesus told us something very important about ourselves... “Your eye is a lamp that provides light for your body. When your eye is good, your whole body is filled with light. But when it is bad, your body is filled with darkness.  Make sure that the light you think you have is not actually darkness.  If you are filled with light, with no dark corners, then your whole life will be radiant, as though a floodlight were filling you with light.” (Luke 11:34-36 NLT). What Jesus is telling us is actually a warning about the dangers of what we allow into our minds: what you look at, where you look, what you focus upon influences your actions and ultimately who you are. For example, a person who looks at pornography has less resistance to committing a sexual sin than a person who does not look at pornography.  A person who hears profanity a lot will find it much easier to use profanity, especially when he or she isn't thinking carefully.

In the computer world, there is a phrase "garbage in, garbage out" which means the quality of information you get out of a computer can only equal what you put into it. The same is true of the human mind.  If you fill your mind with garbage, what comes out of your mind will be similar to what you put in... garbage.  Recently, various research studies have shown that people who watch and participate in various forms of violence based entertainment tend to be more aggressive and potentially violent.  What you feed the mind affects the whole person.

What we do in actions starts first with what we think about.  To that point Jesus warned us... “It is what comes from inside that defiles you.  For from within, out of a person’s heart, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder,  adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, lustful desires, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness.  All these vile things come from within; they are what defile you.” (Mark 7:20-23 NLT). Since you can't play a video game, watch a show, listen to music, or read a book without thinking about its content, it is clear, to some degree, that the content is going influence the formation of your attitudes, what you think about, how you think and ultimately the way you behave.

“Don’t be fooled by those who say such things, for “bad company corrupts good character.”  (1 Corinthians 15:33 NLT). Knowing the influence friends can exert over our behavior, we must also be careful about the other things we allow into our lives. For example, when you select a book to read, do you avoid books that contain profanity or which glorifies sex outside of marriage?  Do you evaluate the themes and contents of programs you watch on television?  Do you have the courage and strength of conviction to give up watching television programming that uses profanity, presents skimpy clothing and one night stands – not to mention the racy commercials that are shown. The same standard should be applied to video games. If what is being depicted is sinful, then Christians shouldn't be playing them. Why would a Christian put themselves in a role of doing what cannot morally be done in real life?  The usual defense... “its not real” or “its just fantasy” doesn’t work with the Holy God.

Excuses abound, especially among Christians, as they seek to self-justify their treasured forms of entertainment.  Most will argue that they are unaffected by violent video games or movies. For example, there are some that play extremely violent games, yet they don't act out their violence. How should we respond biblically to such arguments?

Reflect on Mark 7 and consider this question...  would simply thinking about such sinful content while playing a video game or watching a film be sinful?  For example, what if a person is watching a film about gangs, and the film portrays gangs committing murder and engaging in sinful sexual relations, possibly a gang rape.  If the person simply saw the film and thought about those sinful things happening as they were shown on the screen, but never dwell on them to gratify themselves in any way or form, would that constitute sin?  Or what if there was only one illicit sexual scene in one movie, but the rest was not focused on that, would that qualify as not appropriate for a Christian?

Just because a person makes a claim, it doesn't necessarily follow that their claim is true. The problem when dealing with sin is realizing that it is deceptive. "But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived" (2 Timothy 3:13). A person can be fully convinced that they aren't being influenced, but they haven't been tested, so how would they know?  For example, consider Christians who don't use profanity during church activities and claim to be able to go movies with profanity without being effected, yet when they get angry all sorts of profanity pours from their mouth. Somehow they have convinced themselves that they have no problem with profanity.

Christians can engage in various forms of entertainment and believe they are not being affected by the content.  What saddens me is the typical response... "I didn't notice!" That’s the problem. We get so numb to sin that we don't even see it when it’s right in front of us. "But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil" (Hebrews 5:24). Christians who “don’t notice” are unable to discern the difference between sinful things and godly things.  Such Christians are at high risk of failing a real test when confronted with the choice of active participation in a sinful act or running for safety.

One of the “discernment” problems with many movies is that evil is not always portrayed as evil. For example...the hero jumps into bed with the heroine to show that they love each other, and this is supposed to be a good thing.  In a world with fewer and fewer explicit boundaries, young people especially are convinced that this is the way it is supposed to work.  Young people will often tell us older folks that we don’t understand.  Understand what?  That sexual talk, innuendo, suggestive gestures is how young people express their feelings these days?  Young Christians today are oblivious to the reality of their self-centered and ungodly views.  Satan has ensnared them and is leading an entire generation away from living Holy lives.

There is an old cliche that if you say something often enough, people will believe it. It certainly is true with most movies. "Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron" (I Timothy 4:1-2). While they might not have gone so far in their sins, it is still a problem that they are becoming numb to the existence of sin.

Violent video games can take this several steps further. You are no longer a passive watcher but an active participant. True, it is all imaginative and fantasy, but think of what it is doing to your thoughts and your natural response [attitude] towards evil things.

"Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I will dwell in them And walk among them. I will be their God, And they shall be My people." Therefore "Come out from among them And be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, And I will receive you." "I will be a Father to you, And you shall be My sons and daughters, Says the LORD Almighty." Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God" (2 Corinthians 6:14 - 7:1).

If you embrace the twisted philosophies of the world as many Christians do, you begin to rationalize that God is trying to ruin all the fun you could have in this life.  NO, that is not the case at all.  It’s just the opposite... God is trying to protect us, mostly from ourselves and the bad choices we make.  We resist, sometimes with all our might, His protections.  Instead of seeking a separation from sinful things, we welcome them in because they are called "entertainment."   "I have hated the assembly of evildoers, and will not sit with the wicked. I will wash my hands in innocence; so I will go about Your altar, O LORD that I may proclaim with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all Your wondrous works" (Psalm 26:5-7).

Take note of the following passage where Peter urges Christians to gird up the loins of the mind.  "Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts, as in your ignorance; but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, "Be holy, for I am holy"" (I Peter 1:13-16).

In the old days people wore robes, which made running hard. So when activity was needed they would pull up the back of their robes through their legs and tuck them through the front of their belts. The result looked something like long shorts. Then they were ready to work or run. Peter is telling Christians to get their minds ready to be holy. It is not just what you do but also preparing what you think. Flirting with the edges of inappropriate thoughts is not the way to get prepared for a life of godliness.

What’s the big deal anyway?  As Christians we are expected to live on a higher moral plane than the ungodly citizens of the world.  The life style expected of us by God... is "holy living".  Maybe you haven’t acted out in sinful conduct, yet. Or by your standards been affected by violence, profanity and sexual content in various forms of entertainment.   in your mind you can be a Christian and have your cake and eat it too.  

What does God think about you and such an attitude?  He is a Holy God and expects us to aspire to the same standards of Holy living.  Does He find our divided loyalties acceptable?  Is He okay with our dalliances in worldly entertainment that offends Him and violates His sacred commandments?   

We should be afraid of what we know... God has warned us many times in many ways to avoid the things and practices of the world or suffer consequences.  We should also be very afraid of our tendency to mask reality with a self-induced way of thinking and rationalizing that “God is okay with what I do because_________________.”  You fill in the blank with your own words and see if what you say will hold up to the ultimate test... God's standard.   “You are in the hands of the living God, a fearful thing” and quite possibly a situation that bears dreadful consequences if your lifestyle mocks His Holiness.” (Hebrews 10:31)

Make no mistake, the “requirement” to live a holy life is a call to a strenuous life.  Christianity is not a leisurely lifestyle that appeals to wimps, cowards and the unmotivated. It is an obstacle course fraught with challenges thrown at us by Satan, God’s adversary.  Whether young or old you must be prepared and hardened for the task.  

Don’t be fooled... Baptism DOES NOT save you for easy street, wherein you can continue to live an unholy lifestyle and freely partake of sinful things and you’re assured of eternity. (Romans 6:1-2)  How naive you are if that’s what you believe!  The blood of Christ gives you a fresh start, to soberly live a life of obedience and submission in a constant and unrelenting quest for holy living apart from the unholy things of the world.  That lifestyle will win your crown of salvation, nothing less.  

More on Holy living next week.

The Dilemma of Violent Video Games

There is no denying that violence is everywhere today. In the home, on the job, in school, and in entertainment. We live in a violent culture.  Lately, it seems to be an everyday occurrence somewhere in America. Our nation continues to mourn the loss of 26 Sandy Hook elementary school children and faculty members killed by a deranged young man.  

Sadly, the twenty-year old Newtown elementary school shooter, Adam Lanza, spent much of his time playing violent computer games. Lanza is not the only young man whose violent behavior mimicked the mature-rated video games he may have played. James Holmes, the twenty-nine-year-old who killed 12 innocent patrons at a midnight movie screening in Aurora, Colorado, was also obsessed with first-person shooter games.

Americans are questioning what has gone wrong and what can be done to ensure such tragedies never happen again.  The answers are complex and any solutions put forth will be challenging to the core of our souls.  

Let’s start with what influences our sons and daughters in their first 18 years of life.  Teachers of young people understand three things that contribute to positive effective learning: active participation, rehearsing behavioral sequences rather than discrete acts, and repetition, repetition, repetition.  That’s how all humans learn... good things and bad things.  Video games employ all three. In addition, the vast majority of the gaming scenarios (like the random killing of prostitutes; decapitation; and military style killing) fail to show the real-life consequences of violence.  violent acts in gaming go unpunished, there are no consequences. In short, violent games can deaden the human mind and heart to the horror of violence and deaden our sensitivities to sinfulness. 

It shouldn't surprise us that all media shape our thoughts and attitudes, which is one reason Paul exhorts us to think on things that are true, honorable, pure, lovely, commendable, and excellent (Philippians 4).  Left unguarded and unprotected, our minds and eventually our hearts will become seared by the unholy influences of violent gaming, self-justified by the misguided notions... “it’s no big deal... it’s fun... it’s just a game...it’s not real.”

One such media source is Steve Johnson, author of Everything Bad is Good for You.  Mr. Johnson says violent video games are good for teens. He thinks that video games such as Call of Duty and Grand Theft Auto may function as a kind of safety valve.  They let kids who would otherwise be doing violent things for the thrill of it, get out those kind of feelings sitting at home at a video screen. Says Johnson: "This may have a deterrent effect on violence."  What?  Using that theory... will watching porn online act as a release or deterrent to adultery and potential sex crimes?  Maybe an occasional “fling” will keep a marriage healthy???  Such flawed philosophies  are quickly embraced by many because they provide an escape from personal accountability for one's choices.  Such thinking is a major reason for the decline in our cultural values and morals.

The American Psychological Association strongly disagrees with such  ideas. The APA say... “Time spent playing violent video games increases aggressive thoughts, aggressive behavior, and angry feelings among youth.” In forming their position, APA scholars cited a study of eighth and ninth grade teachers. The study revealed that students who spent time playing violent video games were more hostile than other children and more likely to argue with authority figures and fellow students. And according to another study of 600 eighth and ninth graders, students not normally prone to aggression are nearly 10 times as likely to get into a fight after playing a violent video game.  

The professional society for psychologists has acted on 20 years of research into the effects of violent video games. After a thorough review of more than 70 studies, the APA adopted a resolution calling for the "reduction of violence in interactive media used by children and adolescents."  Killer video games are no 'safety valve' against violence, they are as proven by a substantial battery of research to be quite the opposite.  

Defenders of violent and provocative games, point to the violence found in traditional storytelling, wondering what the difference is.  Indeed, fairy tales are often gruesome, with wolves gobbling grandmas and witches baking little children into pot pies. But such fairy tales are pieces of cathartic moral fiction that help children process their fears. Biblical violence is every bit as gruesome, probably worse when visualized in the minds eye.  However, such portrayals of Biblical violence help us construct a moral universe with boundaries defined by God that demand our acknowledgment and adherence. Goliath's severed head is not the end of a gory story. It is the beginning of a long saga in which the champion of God's people must struggle with hubris and learn humility.  Still, it is not hard to see that repeated exposure to random violence can have a detrimental effect on the human spirit.

As Christians we should be asking ourselves... “How can a servant of a peace-loving God be participating in violence by playing violent video games?”

In next week's article... I will discuss this and many other important questions that Christians need to consider when it comes to all forms of entertainment, for our young people and ourselves.

Until then, be in prayer that the Lord’s Will be done on earth... as it is being done in heaven.