The Pastor's Desk
"Pulling Down Strong Holds and Building Up Relationships" (2 Co. 10:3-8)

September 12, 1999

Check Yourself Out

I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree with one another so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be perfectly united in mine and thought.

1 Cor 1:10 (NIV)

If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. For it is time for judgement to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God?

1 Pet 4:15-17 (NIV)

Our world has a great deal of influence upon each of us, we eat, sleep and drink our surroundings. So much so until we very seldom realize the influences that are being exerted on us. The friends we run with. Our style of music. The clothes we wear. The food we eat. The moral valves we hold. Our conduct and character. All these things and more are swayed and molded by the culture we live in. as Christians we are called on to be supremely influenced by Jesus Christ. Now, to be influenced by Jesus is a life-transforming thing. If when we come into contact with Jesus and our life is still the same the chances are we have not truly meet Him.

On last evening, I was reading the paper and came across an article about an Alabama man. Some of you may have read the same article. In the article this man for some reason, after his mother's funeral, shot and killed his father and sister. This seems to be endemic of our times, family turning on family, communities self-destructing from within. When tragedy hits and emotions run high who is it that should find comfort in and eternal surety? The saints of God. Everybody is running around crying Y2K ready, Y2K ready. We are all being affected by the things that are around us. The problem for us as Christians is when the world can not distinguish any appreciable difference between them and us. In know, that is not a popular jargon, us and them.

Ask your self this question. Do I blend in or stick out? Better, could God use me as a measuring stick for the rest of the world. Someone has said let's take a check up from the neck up. Let us say what would Jesus do and let us do the same.

Rev. Michael E. Coleman

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