A
daily, Bible-based perspective of hope, encouragement and
exhortation.
Thursday,
August 5,
2021
A view from
our front porch.
"The
Call To Behave Decently"
“Let
us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and
drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not
in dissension and jealousy. Rather, clothe yourselves with
the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to
gratify the desires of the sinful nature” (Romans
13:13,14).
I went on a long walk with a man who came over to have an earnest conversation about some tough issues in his life. (He gave me permission to anonymously share this.) Early in his marriage he had gotten into gambling and then porn. Thankfully he has found freedom concerning both of these issues but the trust factor in his marriage has been seriously wounded. He wants to see it healed and asked for my counsel. He and his wife experienced the consequences of his sin; both immediate and residual.
I went on a long walk with a man who came over to have an earnest conversation about some tough issues in his life. (He gave me permission to anonymously share this.) Early in his marriage he had gotten into gambling and then porn. Thankfully he has found freedom concerning both of these issues but the trust factor in his marriage has been seriously wounded. He wants to see it healed and asked for my counsel. He and his wife experienced the consequences of his sin; both immediate and residual.
Another
man confided in us concerning his long-time battle with
alcoholism. It recently came to a crisis point and now that
he has received Christ as his Savior he is seeking to stay
on the straight path. He is overcoming and what a joy to
assist him through this. He told us quite candidly of the
temptation of going to a grocery store and having to pass
the state store (liquor) on the way and demonstrated to us
both the temptation and also his resolve to fully
abstain.
In
my observation, preaching has changed in my lifetime. I
believe many who presently stand at the pulpit have much
greater reservation about addressing sinful behavior than in
the past.
How do you deal with matters that are legal and increasingly culturally acceptable? Is the counsel to refrain “legalistic”? Perhaps we might offend someone or create disharmony. After all, many have found ways to justify sinful behavior. Will we be seen as narrow-minded or intolerant? Both of these attitudes are considered grave violations since open-mindedness and tolerance are seen as two of the greatest virtues of modern man!
How the pendulum has swung even in my lifetime on this issue of preaching on sin. Many my age and older will recall when sin was regularly addressed from the pulpit boldly and forthrightly, much like the prophets of old. However now there is (in my observation) far less preaching on sin and a great reluctance among many preachers to address sin specifically, particularly sins that have become popular and socially acceptable, sadly even in the church setting.
But the high calling is to preach the whole inspired counsel of God’s Word; “teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness".
The preaching of God’s Word should not be diluted or “uncomfortable” passages overlooked because of today's culture or because some may perceive the message as unloving. The loving message from the faithful ministers of the gospel is to call unbelievers to faith and repentance and to do everything possible to prevent believers from indulging in sinful behavior that leads to loss, destruction, and eternal punishment.
It remains the Biblical call for all believers who want to follow hard after God. We must be sober minded and behave decently. Let us “not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature” but rather let us “clothe ourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ".
How do you deal with matters that are legal and increasingly culturally acceptable? Is the counsel to refrain “legalistic”? Perhaps we might offend someone or create disharmony. After all, many have found ways to justify sinful behavior. Will we be seen as narrow-minded or intolerant? Both of these attitudes are considered grave violations since open-mindedness and tolerance are seen as two of the greatest virtues of modern man!
How the pendulum has swung even in my lifetime on this issue of preaching on sin. Many my age and older will recall when sin was regularly addressed from the pulpit boldly and forthrightly, much like the prophets of old. However now there is (in my observation) far less preaching on sin and a great reluctance among many preachers to address sin specifically, particularly sins that have become popular and socially acceptable, sadly even in the church setting.
But the high calling is to preach the whole inspired counsel of God’s Word; “teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness".
The preaching of God’s Word should not be diluted or “uncomfortable” passages overlooked because of today's culture or because some may perceive the message as unloving. The loving message from the faithful ministers of the gospel is to call unbelievers to faith and repentance and to do everything possible to prevent believers from indulging in sinful behavior that leads to loss, destruction, and eternal punishment.
It remains the Biblical call for all believers who want to follow hard after God. We must be sober minded and behave decently. Let us “not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature” but rather let us “clothe ourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ".
Be
encouraged today, (Hebrews 3:13)
Stephen
& Brooksyne Weber
Daily
prayer: Father,
we desire to clothe ourselves in Christ Jesus,
whose Spirit resides within our hearts. We pray
that our behavior will honor You in every way as
we seek to behave decently, living according to
the pattern of Holy Scripture. Whether in word
or deed, whatever we do we want to do it all in
the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to
You, our Father, through Him. Amen.
Daily
prayer: Father,
we desire to clothe ourselves in Christ Jesus,
whose Spirit resides within our hearts. We pray
that our behavior will honor You in every way as
we seek to behave decently, living according to
the pattern of Holy Scripture. Whether in word
or deed, whatever we do we want to do it all in
the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to
You, our Father, through Him. Amen.Today's
Suggested Music and Supplemental
Resources
"Trust and Obey" Video Benjamin Everson sings this beautiful classic hymn at a covered bridge in New York state. I visited this bridge just before covid hit in March 2020. It's known as the Fox Creek Bridge. See here.
"Trust and Obey" Video Benjamin Everson sings this beautiful classic hymn at a covered bridge in New York state. I visited this bridge just before covid hit in March 2020. It's known as the Fox Creek Bridge. See here.
For
some humor after a serious message:
"You've got to be kitten me! A cat got loose
on the field in the Bronx!" Video
Audrey's,
a wholesale gift and home decor company is
preparing for their annual open house and
expect gift store owners from throughout
the east to descend on their warehouse in
rural Lebanon County next Monday. This is
one of the displays as you enter.
The
view up the road two doors from our
house. This young Amish boy works on one
of the farms up the road from us and he
typically passes by around dusk. Sadie
and Mollie always alert us to his
arrival!
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a message to Stephen
& Brooksyne
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Personal Mission Statement: "I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ I have been redeemed and make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."
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