Joey, a wretch before God and only saved from His wrath by the cross of Jesus Christ, as one who escapes through fire. To the saints in America, who are called by God to be set apart, transformed and conformed to the image of Christ. First and foremost let me say that my motive for writing this blog series is my love for the church of Jesus Christ and the burden He has put on me. Brothers and Sisters I want to be clear that as I write this I do so with a burdened heart and trembling hands. My hope is that it would edify, encourage, and inspire you to be more Christ like in your walk. I write this not because I want to correct man's behavior but to correlate him with God's word.
Five Indictments on the American Christian.
ONE
Talk like the world:
“Set your minds on what is above, not on what is on the earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with the Messiah in God. When Messiah, who is your life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory. Therefore, put to death what belongs to your worldly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desire, and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, God’s wrath comes on the disobedient, and you once walked in these things when you were living in them. But now you must also put away all the following: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and filthy language from your mouth.” Colossians 3:2-8
What we say has such an impact on who we are and how we witness. It’s interesting that the people who say “I witness by how I live” often do not really live any differently than the world does. The American Christians thinks that the gospel is “Be a good person” when in fact the gospel is this: “All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. We deserve nothing more than His just and righteous wrath and yet while we were still sinners Christ died for us as an expiation”. I’m not saying you can’t “Live the Gospel” but how do we do that? Well I can tell you how we don’t do it. We don’t “Live the Gospel” by sounding like the world.
More than seeing how you act people hear how you talk. So why do we talk like the world? Why use the “filthy language” that scripture says we are to put to death? I know, trust me I do, that there are stressful situations that make you react with a curse word. But why is that our reflex? Why is our first reaction to call out a curse word and not the name of our Lord Jesus? And some do call out his name but only do so AS a curse word. That’s not what I’m saying. I’m saying instead of cursing we should say, “His grace is enough”. Our instinct should be the word of God not the words of this world. We must be so submerged in his words that our reactions are in and of Him. “No foul language is to come from your mouth, but only what is good for building someone up in need, so that it gives grace to those who hear.” Ephesians 4:29 If you claim you live the gospel then know that using the worlds language doesn’t build up those who need the gospel.
Paul goes on to say “Coarse and foolish talking or crude joking are not suitable, but rather giving thanks.” 4:29 I have been guilty of and heard others say, “Sometimes we just have to reach people on their level and with their language”. This is a lie! The reality is we do not have to use the methods of this world to reach its people. If the only way people could be reached was on “their level” then wouldn't the media report the news this way? Why do we not see the media using filthy language? They don’t do it because there is an expectation of professionalism and class. How much more so among the elect?! How much more should the children of God be set apart in the way we speak?! Brothers and Sisters I am not calling you to be boring in speech. I am calling for us to do what God has said “You are to be holy to Me because I, Yahweh, am holy, and I have set you apart from the nations to be mine.” Leviticus 20:26 The word of God is to be our standard for life NOT the conventionalism of this world.
By know you may be thinking, “This whole blog could have been summed up by a simple FB post saying ‘Christians need to stop using bad words.’” That’s not the point though. The point isn’t to stop being sinful. The point is to start being holy. I know some may be upset but I plea with you just as Paul did. “My dearly loved brothers, understand this: Everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger, for man’s anger does not accomplish God’s righteousness. Therefore, ridding yourselves of all moral filth and evil, humbly receive the implanted word, which is able to save you. But be doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.” James 1:19-22 It's time that the Church in America starts doing. Talk is cheap.
