The church finds itself in some difficult times . . .
doctrinally
morally
societally
financially
We stand at a crossroad. Will we despair and compromise or will we persevere and stay true?
The Church experiences a morality deficit.
- Pastors and ministry leaders who have lied, cheated, or fallen into illicit relationships
- Teachers and ministry leaders allowed to teach and lead even though their lives do not line up with God’s ways
- Church members who are living more by the standards of the world than God’s Word
Thankfully, the above does not characterize every local church but does for far too many churches.
This deficit leads to difficulties for the Church.
How are we going to be a testimony for Jesus if we don’t live differently than those who do not know Him?
Compromise, integrity breaks, immoral deeds from leadership to church members —
Is it any wonder our society is headed down such a destructive path? The church, as salt and light in this world, is supposed to function as a moral compass in this world.
Is it any wonder people who might want spiritual life, want little to do with the church itself? The church, as salt and light in this world, is supposed to attract people, not repel them.
God offers the Church the means of a moral deliverance:
As Romans 7 states, we will have that struggle between the old human nature and doing that which lines up with our new nature. If we keep getting back to Jesus and the Gospel truth, we will find the help we need to live holy lives. We must regularly find ourselves at the foot of the cross, grabbing hold of the resurrection power available to us, and relying on the Spirit as our Promised Helper.
What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God — through Jesus Christ our Lord! (Rom. 7:24-25)
Church Leaders: Be that example you are called to be. God clearly specifies qualifications for people in ministry in passages such as 1 Timothy 3, Titus 1, and 1 Peter 5.
“Now the overseer must be above reproach.” (1 Tim. 3:2) “Deacons, likewise, are to be men worthy of respect.” (1 Tim. 3:8)
All Church Members: Learn what it is to walk in the Spirit. Live in accordance with the new life you have been granted in Christ.
Live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. (Gal. 5:16)