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Irresponsible Christianity

This was the title of an article that came across my desk the other day, “Irresponsible Christianity.”  It was sure an eye-catcher. The author said he read a bumper sticker that said “Christians aren’t perfect, just forgiven.” He said that he was impressed until he began thinking through the statement, which could really be a cop-out for irresponsible Christianity.

If we, as Christians, are irresponsible, then the truth is diminished and in fact ruined. Also, we misuse grace and make it of no effect. There has been a great upsurge of religion in this country, but at the same time, immorality, abortion and homosexuality are also on the rise. Can this really be true, spiritually up and morality down? James asks the question “out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?” James 3:9-12

When we choose to be Christians, then we become stewards and stewards must be responsible. Our Christianity does not give us a license to sin but a desire to please God by living according to His standards taught in the Bible. Could the real problem be that Christians lack understanding of God’s mercy, love and grace and so we show little evidence of these qualities in our lives? To misunderstand the end result of God’s Grace, is to misunderstand God’s whole plan of redemption for man. To misunderstand does not excuse man from God’s law through grace. Man is absolutely responsible for his actions, both good and bad.

The fruits of our 20th century Christianity are now proving that too much Christianity is built on the sand. We, in America, have not placed God’s laws on our hearts but rather only on our lips. We prove more and more every day that we are hearers of the Word but not doers of the Word. Jesus quotes an Old Testament scripture in Matt. 15:8,9: “These people honor me with their lips but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain, their teachings are rules made by man.” God has always brought His wrath on His disobedient believers and He will continue to do so.

Man cannot deal with his outward actions without first dealing with his heart. Adultery never just happens, it begins when a man or woman allows themselves to feed on their lust. People slander others because they are jealous and harbor malicious thoughts. Murderers permit anger to well up inside before they strike. An outward sin was never committed that did nor first begin with an inward thought. While it is true Christians are not perfect, just forgiven, this can’t be taken as a excuse for irresponsible Christianity, which does not place Christ at the center of our hearts.

Jesus said “if you love me you will obey my commands.” God requires that man must obey, not for His good but for man’s good. God’s will for man is that he live above sin, not become consumed by it. You see, God never takes away man’s choice but He does insist if you choose me then I (God) must be obeyed. God cannot or will not tolerate sin. He will certainly forgive man, but man must show true repentance and a sincere desire to stop sinning. Repentance is turning from evil and turning to God. Repentance that is sincere is the change of heart and will that produces a change of behavior.

If Christians, who are irresponsible and misuse grace and God’s love, do not wake up and obey God’s word, they are only kidding themselves. But even worse, they are bad examples and false teachers who lead others astray. Jesus said in Luke 17:1, 2: “Things that cause people to sin are bound to come, but woe to that person through whom they come. It would be better for him to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tried around his neck that for him to cause one of these little ones to sin.”

Be responsible, accountable and obedient.

— Yoder is an evangelist at the Christian Church at Cogan Station

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