Introduction
We Christians, are partakers of His Divine nature.
“For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (2 Peter 1:5-8) ESV
As I write this paper I am fully aware that God is speaking to me as well as you. I pray that what I write is from God, as I do for all my writings. I read the scriptures and also pray that I am properly deciphering His Word. I am fully aware of the consequences of wrongful teaching. However, as I read the scripture above I become perplexed and as I look at the world around me I can’t help but ask “Doesn’t anyone understand this”?
May God have mercy on me and may His grace fulfill His needs as I write.
Definitions (These can be found on the Web however, what you see below is my understanding of these words as applied to the paper below.)
Virtue
A trait of excellence, including traits that may be moral, social, or intellectual.
Knowledge
Familiarity, awareness, or understanding gained through experience or study. Knowledge comes from what we have been taught by others and what has been revealed to us by the Holy Spirit.
Self-control
A Fruit of the Spirit (Click here to read my paper on “Control Yourself”)
Steadfastness
Firmly loyal and consistent. Faithfulness
Godliness
Careful observance of, or conformity to, the laws of God.
Brotherly affection
That part of love for our neighbor that only Christians can exhibit through the Holy Spirit. It sets us apart from other religions.
Love
Agape’ love. Which is that kind of love that can only be given through our knowledge of Jesus Christ. It is a Godly love, not a human love.
When I Was A Young Boy
In Church
I vividly remember being a young Catholic boy attending Church. Whether it was on a Sunday or any day of the week I had a very acute reverence for the Church, Mass, Priest, and attending parishioners. I would never wear a hat in church. I never spoke in Church and neither would anyone else unless there was an emergency. My mother and the women of the Church would always wear a head covering, usually a hat or if not that a scarf of some sort. We would genuflect on one knee before entering the pew. If the Eucharist was viable, for example in a monstrance, we would genuflect on both knees while bowing our heads. We would then pray on our knees before seating. We would never be late and we would never leave early.
In Public
I would always walk on the street side when walking with my mother or another lady. If I had a hat on my head, I would take it off in a house or on an elevator if a lady was present. I would always open doors for others and let them pass first. I was once asked by my father (I think) if the CEO of a company was entering a building accompanied by others, who would open the door? My answer was, “I would”. He replied no, He would because he is the one in authority and is your servant. That message never reached me until I was much older.
In my Home
My father was supreme followed by my mother and then grandmother. Even though my father was quite ill his opinion was respected. My mother carried the household and was the only one who was able to work. (She was truly a Proverbs 31 woman) I respected all items in the house and was always obedient (although sometimes I became angry because I did not understand). I seldom spoke unless spoken to. And, despite what others may think I was happy, and content, and knew my place and, my role in the family. If I did disobey corporal punishment was administered and I learned quickly what was allowed and what was not. Thinking back I can remember some things my parents did or did not do that I wish had been different. Don’t we all?
At School
We opened class with a prayer followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America. Students were told how to dress and sat in their seats quietly. If someone of importance came into the room we would stand in unison and greet them. We were then taught in various educational disciplines such as Reading, Writing, Arithmetic, Science, English (penmanship and proper English), and History among other electives.
I Understand
I’m not suggesting we go back to the “good old days”. I am suggesting that we are missing the mark when it comes to basic foundational education and Biblical etiquette. Today I would be easily labeled a Nerd. But, look below and see how far we have fallen.
This is What I See Today
In The Church
There seems to be more social interaction than Spiritual. There is much loud talking and sometimes arguing. The music is often spectacular and I enjoy it very much but more often than not it is entertainment and not worship. The women of the Church often dress very inappropriately and provocatively. Many of the men wear ball caps or other hats that are not removed out of respect for our Lord. Many people come to service very late, often interrupting service – waving hands and hoping their friends will see them. Likewise many leave early. If the Eucharist is administered there is little understanding of its meaning. See my paper on Communion for further details. Click here.
Jesus is God incarnate. How should we treat Jesus, the Holy Spirit, and God? The Bible gives many examples. Here is one we often do not observe.
“When I saw him, I fell at his feet as good as dead, but he laid his right hand on me and I heard his reassuring voice saying: Don’t yield to fear. I am the Beginning and I am the End” (Revelation 1:17) TPT
I am not suggesting we fall “as dead” but surely there is the common ground of reverence whereby we commune with our God.
I have difficulty with people’s behavior in church. They either don’t believe, don’t care, or are outright disrespectful as a result of their upbringing. They think they can sing praises to Him to the tune of “Alley Oop”. No gentile, awesome, worshipful, respect. Their behavior is a result of the examples they see and what they are taught by us as well as by others.
At Home
Many children are brought up by an absentee parent. The existing parent must work therefore the child is taught by someone outside the home environment in a daycare or by a babysitter. Often not someone with Biblical values. Seldom do you see a husband working and a wife taking care of and teaching their children at home? This, of course, assumes they are even married. Today’s economy makes this very difficult. Both parents must work to “make ends meet”. Of course, we must “keep up with the Joneses” therefore we live outside of our means not wanting to appear “poor” in the eyes of the community and our friends.
In Our Schools
Everything seems to be upside down. This, along with at home, is where it all starts. Today, as you well understand, children are taught at an early stage to question everything, including their sexuality and their mores. The questions are good. It is the answers that are troubling. Troubled teachers from a troubled generation are teaching our innocent minds while we sit back and watch. Today anything goes and proficiency in the three R’s is no longer required (especially in the Northwest of the US). Drugs become legal, again in the Northwest especially. These ideas along with many more are spreading throughout our land through our educational systems and the media.
How Come This Is Happening
Beliefs are reflected in our actions. How we behave and what we do signifies what we believe. What we say often does not reflect what we believe. This is a direct result of what we are taught, correctly or incorrectly, by those in authority such as parents, church ministers, teachers, etc… See Everybody is a Teacher by clicking here.
The Problem (Where It All Begins)
Origins
In today’s day and age, everyone is struck by the media. Movies, TV, advertisements, the News media, magazines, newspapers, and, the entire internet in general affect how we think and what we do. They move us into thinking “If I want to be popular, keep up with fashion, keep up with my friends if I want to be “cool”, etc., etc. I must listen and do likewise. Although friends, neighbors, schools, jobs, etc. follow these trends we do not need to do likewise. This is especially true when it comes to walking a Godly lifestyle. This can be very difficult given that Everyone is a Teacher as mentioned above and we want to impress our peers and be like them. If we do not do this there is a stigma attached to us and we become an outsider.
The Family
Many Biblical families are dysfunctional. Both parents have to work. Children are often raised by others. Family values are disappearing. The government is making family decisions and is slowly becoming a part of our family. Children are often left alone or at least feel alone, with no one caring.
The Church
The Church seldom enforces the Gospel calling sin, sin. They try to keep up with the times and are often more interested in the size of the congregation than the character of their members. Members are not disciplined as commanded by Jesus in the days of the early church. The congregation, including new members, are told do’s and don’ts, without any follow-up. Pastors do not call down parishioners, both adults and children, when they misbehave, dress inappropriately, talk profanity, or act out of the character of Jesus Christ. Parishioners often are only held accountable for their tithes.
Judgment will start here. In the church.
“For the time is ripe for judgment to begin in God’s household. And if it starts with us, what will be the fate of those who refuse to obey the gospel of God?” (1 Peter 4:17) TPT
The Solution
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.” (Romans 1:16)
This gospel must be read, understood, believed, and ENFORCED by the church and its members alike. If it is not enforced by our families, schools, and the pulpit it has no value.
The Family
Be the Father and Mother the Gospel tells you to be. Live the Scriptures and enforce them upon your children while you still can. Show them how to behave, dress and, conduct themselves among others. Commit the above Scripture to memory along with your children. Teach them not to be afraid of the Gospel. Teach them how to handle persecution for it will happen.
Schools
Parents and fellow Christians must fight alongside our children upholding Biblical principles and condemning those schools that teach what is contrary to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Schools will teach your children the ways of the world, the behavior of the world, and the mores of the world, and your children will reap a whirlwind if we do not speak up.
Church
The Church needs to enforce the Gospel. For example, do not parade your children down a graduation walk if they do not behave properly or dress properly. They are an image of the Church of Jesus Christ and your congregation. You will receive an enormous amount of criticism when you do this. You may even lose many in your congregation. But, ask yourselves, are you afraid of the Gospel? Are you afraid of what people will think? This is where the rubber meets the road. Stand up for truth.
Conclusion
“But if anyone lacks these things, he is blind, constantly closing his eyes to the mysteries of our faith, and forgetting his innocence – for his past sins have been washed away.” (2Peter 1:9) TPT
“For this reason, beloved ones, be eager to confirm and validate that God has invited you to salvation and claimed you as his own. If you do these things, you will never stumble.” (2 Peter 1:10) TPT
Almost every Christian, Parent, Pastor, and student of the Word says, they believe in the Gospel. When it comes to action, however, there is hesitation. The World sees you and will judge you. Do not stumble but stand straight not backing down from truth. Many will drop by the wayside. Many Churches will lose members. Remember, Jesus did not have a large congregation. He had only twelve disciples and one was a trader. With these, He turned the World upside down. If you are a Parent, Teacher, or Pastor, you must disciple those under you. Not only teaching them but guiding them down a path of truth. That path can only be found in the Word of God.
Enough said
“Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart, for I am called by your name, O LORD, God of hosts.” (Jeremiah 15:16) ESV
