letsloveothers

Sunday, as we were walking out of the theater after seeing Maleficent my daughter (Christy) and my five-year old granddaughter (Kyra) had a very interesting conversation.

Kyra: Will the world ever end?

Christy: Yes.

Kyra: Oh no!

Christy: It’s ok. We’ll be in heaven.

Kyra: Good! Then everything will be happy.

Yes Kyra, one day all of God’s creation will be happy. When heaven— the Kingdom— Jesus reigns here on earth. The filth of this world will be no more. Washed away by Christ’s and His followers’ holiness. Behaving honorably towards one another. No more lying, deceit or betrayal.

Sadly, dishonorable behavior has become so common that many Americans no longer are concerned or appalled when a politician, athlete, celebrity, minister or corporation is exposed for unethical or criminal behavior. American business schools actually acknowledge that many of today’s business leaders lack the character to ethically obtain wealth.

Where was the American Christian Church during America’s moral decline? For the most part She was silent. Despite the world’s most prolific spiritual network of houses of worship, media, schools and organizations, “American Christianity” has been fundamentally ineffective in equipping Christians to be a positive influence on American culture.

The development of a biblical worldview and the passionate pursuit of spiritual transformation have been replaced with a list of do’s and don’ts, rituals and social gatherings. Although desirous of spiritual transformation, few American Christians can definitively define what it is and how it’s accomplished. 

Only a minority understands that spiritual growth isn’t automatic. It requires time, commitment and spiritual training. Which will never be accomplished by simply sitting in a chair on Sunday morning.

Thankfully, there are growing numbers of Christians who acknowledge Jesus as the Lord of their lives. These God-centered and God-dependent believers

• refuse to live lives of spiritual mediocrity and passivity.
• are more concerned with living the Good News than making the news.
• whose hearts willingly embrace the cost so that others can be rescued from the clutches of the devil.
• no longer willing to remain on the sidelines while the world goes to hell in a hand basket.

My fellow Christians, the world is watching. We have to stop just talking about the Good News and be the Good News. We must live honorable lives.

• Keep your promises.
• Speak the truth.
• Work hard and don’t take compromising short cuts.
• Don’t spew hateful, hurtful words.
• Get rid of bitterness and hatred.
• Be sympathetic and compassionate.
• Forgive others.

Although you can’t make the whole world happy, you certainly can make your corner of it happy. Live honorably.

Thanks for listening to my voice! Feel free to like and share it with your friends.

Have a great day! Rita

Be the VOICE heard amidst the deafening sound of sameness!