WHO CHANGED THE STANDARD?

DISCLAIMER: This message is rated PG for parental Guidance. Simply because I am going to be very straight forward and may use some language that the pious will find offensive. So for their sakes I warn you ahead of time…don’t judge me or what I say, rather listen carefully and take it to heart for how it is sent.

     This is just my little way of encouraging you as we start a new year.

I was reflecting on Ephesians chapter 5 and what follows is my take on it. We live in a time when a new generation is coming along that wants nothing to do with church, the things of God or God Himself. They want their own way. Unfortunately they are swaying some of the old stock believers into following them. So many things that were once taboo or unchristian are now acceptable. Well I read Ephesians Chapter 5 and I see it differently than this new generation because I just don’t believe God changed the standard. Here’s what I got out of it.

     God is pure, clean, good, mighty, loving, forgiving and so many other things and we are to do what God does. We are to be imitators of Him in every way. When we were growing up, our parents taught us many things and we imitated them. That’s what we are to do with God, be imitators of Him. Most of what God does is done because He loves us and He is motivated by love for us. If we stay close to Him He will teach us that love and how to share it with those around us. That is learning the love of God. Check out your Scriptures and see how Christ loved us, then go out and love others the same way. Christ never held back His love for us but rather poured it out abundantly and without measure. We ought to be doing the same with those we are constantly in contact with.

     Today, many have turned love into lust which is the cause of many a fall. So many caught up in the bonds of it and are trapped in affairs, pornography, adultery and end up in the ditch.

     Others have lowered their standards to the point that gossip is on their lips all the time. If you are a true follower of Christ, you will know that He has a better use for your tongue than dirty talk, idle jesting, foul mouth or gossip. That kind of crappy mouth should not fit a Christians lifestyle. Thankfulness and loving one another fits into our way of life better.

     Then there are those who just use religion for gain or use people for what they can get out of them. That is not a Christian way of life, it is worldly. You can be sure that using people or religion or things just for what you can get out of them, the usual variations on idolatry, will get you nowhere, and certainly nowhere near the kingdom of Christ, the kingdom of God.

      Don’t let yourselves get taken in by religious smooth talk. God gets furious with people who are full of religious sales talk but want nothing to do with him. Don’t even hang around people like that.

     You groped your way through that murk once, but no longer. You’re out in the open now. The bright light of Christ makes your way plain. So no more stumbling around. Get on with it! The good, the right, the true—these are the actions appropriate for daylight hours. Figure out what will please Christ, and then do it.

     Don’t waste your time on useless work, mere busywork, the barren pursuits of darkness. Expose these things for the sham they are. It’s a scandal when people waste their lives on things they must do in the darkness where no one will see. Rip the cover off those frauds and see how attractive they look in the light of Christ.

     Wake up from your sleep,  Climb out of your coffins;  Christ will show you the light!

So watch your step. Use your head. Make the most of every chance you get. These are desperate times!

     Don’t live carelessly, unthinkingly. Make sure you understand what the Master wants. 

    As you enter a new year, keep in mind that we are closer to the second coming of Christ than we have ever been and it could be sooner than you think.

    It is time to get back to holiness and your roots as a born again Christian. Time to start fresh and make every effort to move forward and closer to Him.

     I hope this new year will be a blessing for you and you will find yourself totally sold out to Christ.

God Bless You,

Pastor Robert Coutts

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