Are We Really Different?
Sometimes I wonder how much different from the world many Christians are. You can’t tell from their clothing. You can’t tell by the vehicles they drive. You can’t tell from the houses they own. You can’t tell from their occupations. In many cases, you can’t even tell by the things they say or the places they go. Christians are in the bars (and, unfortunately, they’re not there to witness to the lost). Christians tell dirty jokes. Christians have foul mouths.
But what about those Christians who don’t go to bars? What about those who don’t use foul language or tell dirty jokes? What about Christians who drive modest cars and live in average houses? How different from the world are these types of Christians? Do our choices in life reflect a stronger commitment to Christ or to the world?
I went to see the movie Transformers last week. I took four of my kids. I figured it was “safe” since they were all boys from 7-12 years of age. And besides, the Transformers are toys. Kids play with toys. The movie was loosely based on the 90s cartoon. During the movie, I was shocked to discover Hollywood’s nonchalant justification of masturbation (although nothing that comes out of Hollywood should surprise anyone). I was a bit upset at a few words expressed during the movie that my children know I don’t condone. But, other than that, I was alright with what was put before my children.
A few days later, I was listening to a Christian radio station doing a movie review. Guess what movie they were reviewing? That’s right, Transformers. I listened intently to see if their review was anything like my own. I was embarrassingly surprised to discover that they were a lot tougher on the movie than I was. They pointed out several blatant items and nuances that had just skipped right past me (blame the desensitization I spoke of in earlier postings). Things like off-colored humor, innuendos, and about 15 cases of taking the Lord’s name in vain. How had I missed it?
I pondered all this for a while. It bothered me that I wasn’t bothered by some of the things that were pointed out about the movie. I wonder if we as Christians have become so desensitized by our culture that we don’t even realize the indecency occurring around us? When is the last time you heard a Christian say, “No, I’m not going to that movie because it doesn’t reflect well on Christ?” or “I don’t listen to that type of music because it’s just not appropriate for a Christian.” No doubt, the Christian culture has maintained some distance from the world, but we’ve continued moving right along with the culture of the world while patting ourselves on the back for being two steps removed. Twenty years ago you didn’t hear “G_ _ D_ _ _” in any PG movies. You didn’t hear anything on radio, TV, or movies about masturbation. The word a_ _ was never said on television. Today none of these is uncommon. Where are we going? What will the next 20 years look like? I shudder to think about it.
Perhaps Christians should constantly remind ourselves of what God, through inspiration of the Holy Spirit, imparted to the writers of Scripture:
- “Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them” (Ephesians 4:19 NLT).
- “Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God” (Ephesians 5:4 NLT).
- “Get out! Get out and leave your captivity, where everything you touch is unclean. Get out of there and purify yourselves, you who carry home the sacred objects of the Lord” (Isaiah 52:11 NLT).
- “Dear friends, I warn you as ‘temporary residents and foreigners’ to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls” (1 Peter 2:11 NLT).
- “Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you” (1 John 2:15 NLT).
- “You are the light of the world—like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden” (Matthew 5:14 NLT).
God, please help me to be more like Christ in every facet of my life. Please re-sensitize me to your ways and keep me from the deceptive, unholy ways of this world. Make me a light that will draw others into your holy presence. Change me, oh God. Amen.
Good stuff!! Great prayer!! We are more different as time passes.
Thanks, Kurt. I enjoyed your page as well. Hopefully (and prayerfully) Christians will look more and more different from the world. I think the trend in the past 20-30 years is that we are looking more and more like the world.
Just out of curiosity, how does one define a “modest car” or an “average house”?
On a different note, I found this letter to the editor of a Tennessee newspaper. This man seems to be saying what you are saying, in a way, but he takes a step or two further. What do you think of his notions?
http://www.timesnews.net/editorsletters.php?id=9002086
“Immorality is destroying America
Modern day America is just about as immoral as Sodom and Gomorrah. The people of this day and age are unthankful and unashamed.
Back in my day, people shouted as they walked to church, and they shouted all the way home. Now people don’t even go to church. They took prayer and Bible study out of the schoolhouses and brought in sex education and witchcraft. You parents that let your children read these Harry Potter books are guilty of witchcraft and idolatry and you’re going straight to hell.
Instead of getting a thrashing for misbehavior, the parents, teachers and doctors today get these children heaped up on ritalin. You could give ritalin to a cocaine addict and they wouldn’t know the difference. Then, they wonder why this generation has amounted to nothing more than drug addicts, fornicators and murderers.
Back in my day we didn’t turn to a pack of pen-pushing pantywaists and labcoat Larrys to tell us how to live. We turned to the word of God.
It seems like every time I go to the store I see a teenage girl carting around three or four young ones. You used to not see that kind of thing around here.
The women in this day and age ain’t worth marrying. The Bible says a beautiful woman without virtue is comparable to a gold ring in a pig’s nose.
If I had my way, I’d have it to where these women and their children wouldn’t get food or medicine through welfare. The Republicans tried to do this in 1996, but Clinton vetoed the bill twice until Republicans finally gave in.
You people ain’t smart enough to come in out of the rain. I never thought the good Lord would let me live to see this day.
Joe Lawson
Rogersville”
My use of the expressions “modest car” and “average house” were rather an assumption that the world contrasts people of faith with wealth. Can a Christian drive a BMW and live in a mansion? I personally believe the answer is yes. But is that the way the world sees it? I doubt it.
Don’t miss my point, Keith. I’m saying that Christians SHOULD be different from the world. The world prides itself in its luxuries and possessions. I believe Christians can own nice things, but those things should NEVER define us. Christians should be defined simply by our relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Sometimes Christians pride themselves as “looking different from the world” by simply driving a Chevy or living in a $90,000 home, rather than a Mercedes and a $600,000 home. But how are we actually DIFFERENT from the world? Our lives (speech, actions & thoughts) should be different from the world. The world serves itself. Christians should serve God.
As far as Mr. Lawson’s opinions being “one or two steps” beyond mine, I would say he’s actually one or two LIGHT YEARS beyond me!
He seems to be an individual who wants the moral climate of our nation to be like it was when he was young. I don’t disagree with that premise. I would, however, take him to task with how far he pushes his ideas and his whole radical approach.
I don’t understand why people who wish the moral climate of our nation was more like “the old days” are impugned.
[...] Mark Hawk wonders if we are really any different from the world. [...]
Ragamuffins Rejoice! « Out Here Hope Remains said this on July 24, 2007 at 11:22 pm |
OK, that’s what I thought you meant by the “modest car” comment. I don’t disagree with your point. Wealth or lack thereof shouldn’t matter in terms of faith, but sadly that isn’t usually the case, is it?
As to the letter, I found it kind of sad, really. The man is pining for a past that never really existed, in my opinion. He has Ward and June Cleaver Syndrome. He remembers all the good things but leaves out some of the other, less than good things. You know, like fallout shelters, separate water fountains and seating arrangements for the “Coloreds”, polio, DDT, the Korean war, etc., etc., ad infinitum.
Besides, that whole “Shouting all the way to church and back” thing seems kind of freakish, don’t you think?
Personally, I am fascinated with the 1940s. I am a World War 2 buff. I love the clothes, the movies, the cars, all of it. It would be awesome to travel back in time and visit that era. I think it was probably the last time this nation was actually united in pursuit of a common goal, defeating the Axis, that is.
But if I went back, I suspect I would begin to notice things that would disturb me. I think even you might chafe under some of the cultural and moral taboos of the era.
Besides, isn’t it Solomon who said that there is “nothing new under the sun”? I think we had all the sins back then that we have now. There were rapists, murderers, child molestors, scumbags of all sorts, just like today. The difference is THEY didn’t parade all of it on the evening news for the public’s morbid interest. Well, and we have gotten more efficient at being bad, haven’t we?
I don’t know if I want all the aspects of the older days back, but it does seem they led, by and large, a simpler, more peaceful existence.
That, and I really like that men dressed better back then. The hats. Love the hats.
Mark,
Your concerns are valid and well-stated. What bothers me more than materialism and coarseness among believers is the lack of discernable difference in how we relate to others, specifically where kindness is concerned. Everyone has heard how Christians are the worst tippers at restaurants, etc. We need to renew our commitment to the Golden Rule, with one another and with non-believers.