From My Perspective - - -

It seems as though there should be more months left in 2010 – and yet – we are rapidly moving into 2011. Everyone hopes that the New Year will bring better and happier results – less foreclosures; fewer bankruptcies; lessening tension among volatile nations (Iran, North Korea, Afghanistan); lowering of national debt (13 trillion plus is more than absurd); government functioning in behalf of the citizens rather than in personal or vested interests; media to report facts rather than editorial assessment and attachment; churches refocusing on spiritual values rather than empire building and fund-raising appeals; etc.

One of the areas neglected in contemporary times is in terms of spiritual values. No one can deny they have eroded and shoved into the background of any modern lifestyle choice. With the desire and quest to become more relevant, the “church” has allowed itself to become more irrelevant. In its hope to gain more communicants, it has produced what is lackluster and ignored. It has removed itself from what is foundational to that which is speculative. It has distanced itself from the splendor of the Gospel to that which is deemed to be the spectacular and with greater appeal. The result of all these various attempts at relevance has produced a weakened and emaciated “church” that is increasingly being ignored. I Corinthians 14:7-8 states, “If even lifeless instruments, such as the flute or the harp, do not give distinct notes, how will anyone know what is played? And if the bugle gives an indistinct sound, who will get ready for battle?” At a time when the message of the Gospel should be thunderous, it has instead become hardly a whisper in the landscape of our nation and world. Within this culture, a giddiness has supplanted stability. Many of those who have aspired to and/or gained prominence in the area of religion have yielded to the quest for being the biggest and most popular rather than the most sound as the powerful message of redemption and hope is clearly proclaimed.

Rather than year-end appeals for contributions, why not a clarion call for repentance and revival? Why not trumpet the message that true change is possible and remedy for life can be an immediate reality? Why not focus upon substance rather than diatribe and the mediocre? In the midst of recession and/or depression, why not issue the call to implement II Chronicles 7:14?
  • “…if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face,and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”
At a time when so many lives are fragmented under the pressure of uncertainty and loss, why not challenge the culture to find and apply the principles of spiritual maturity and to implement Ephesians 4:14-15,
  • “so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ…”
The culture has tried secular humanism and is learning that complete failure awaits one at the end of the day and at the end of the road. The “church” seems to display a restlessness and an interest in something “new” and dynamic. Over the years, the “church” has embraced liberalism/modernism; liberation theology; neo-orthodoxy; existentialism; modernity; and now – post-modernity. In these quests, the Head of the Church – Jesus Christ – is ignored or removed from the equation. Meanwhile, some of the largest media churches – while having popular appeal and some influence – omit reference to sin (that’s too negative) and place their emphasis on the positive and psychological message. We need to return to the foundational truths of the Gospel and spiritual growth, vitality and maturity as the lifestyle choice for the people. For instance, someone has shared: “…when maturity is taking place, balance replaces extremes and a seasoned confidence replaces uneasy feelings of insecurity. Good choices replace wrong ones. What characterizes your life and lifestyle? Do you have these marks of maturity: (a) Concern for others that outweighs personal concerns; (b) Detection of the presence of evil before it's obvious; (c) Self discipline; (d) Compassion and involvement; (e) Tempered emotions; (f) Consistently growing in God's Word?” This would be a worthy starting point for 2011. Will you give it your effort?  Will you try?  Consider these things with me!