The distinction that must exist between Christianity and the world is blurred and harder than ever to see. Many churches are becoming like the world around them.
Churches are lowering the standards of Christian living. Today, many are confused about morality, purity, and righteousness. From various denominational quarters comes a cry to modify long held teachings concerning homosexuality, divorce, premarital and extramarital affairs. While some give lip service to Bible teaching on moral issues, the practice is often to “look the other way.” Shouldn’t we be more concerned with pleasing the God of Heaven than in accommodating the world around us?
Churches are explaining away the law of God. Some do not believe the Bible can answer the problems of modern man, while others think that their churches ought to keep up with societal trends. This is alarming but not surprising, for God Himself predicted that people would change His law to suit themselves (2 Timothy 4:1-6). Some tamper with the Scriptures by making laws God did not, while others ignore laws, God has made, apparently not caring or thinking He doesn’t really mean what He says. But, the gospel is not to be changed by men or angels (Galatians 1:6-9). And, it is the Word of God rather than the word of men that serves as the standard of judgment for all (John 12:48).
God still says to His people, “Come out from among them and be separate” (2 Corinthians 6:17). It is not the time for Christians to be, as Norman Wilson said, “cozying up to culture-attempting to convince the world we are just like them.” This “cheap Christianity” is apostasy, and apostasy is not Christianity.
Mark Hanstein