How moral do I have to be?
Let me answer that question with a question: How large were the nails that were pounded in the hands of Jesus? It’s amazing to me that modern Christians are more concerned about how far they can go before getting in trouble than they are knowing exactly what pleases their Heavenly Father. If you have a path-of-least-resistance Christianity then you have a path-most-likely-to Divine judgment. Yes judgment. That may be a topic omitted in the pulpits of America but it cannot be omitted from God’s Word. (Heb 9:27)
America lives as America has been taught. The doctrine of eternal security has been so perverted amongst the American Church that it has produced more spiritual fugitives than it has produced true holy saints of God. We have been taught salvation is a license to sin. Not intentionally, but that has been the fruit of telling people “once saved always saved.” We have been told once you say a prayer asking for salvation, it’s all done. No matter what you do or how you conduct yourself your salvation is certain. How foolish! The Bible makes it clear: “Without holiness no man will see the Lord.” (Heb 12:14) or “…they which do such things (drunkenness, lying, fornication, adultery, etc) shall not inherit the Kingdom of God.” (Gal 5:19-21) or how about “For if we sin willfully AFTER THAT WE HAVE RECEIVED THE KNOWLEDGE OF THE TRUTH, there remains no more sacrifice for sins…of how much sorer punishment do you suppose shall he be counted worthy, who has trodden under foot the Son of God and counted the Blood of the Covenant a unholy thing and done despite the spirit of Grace?” (Heb 10:26,29) That’s exactly what we do when we refuse to live godly lives: We trample upon Christ Himself. Can a man receive salvation then trample on Christ and still be saved? Churches are teaching that grace excuses ungodliness. The Bible teaches that life apart from holiness is a violation of God’s grace. God is merciful and patient with those who openly confess their sin.
So why are so many Christians forsaking a holy lifestyle? There are 3 reasons. First, many preachers today have become weak and diluted. Many pastors are trying to fill the seats in their sanctuary when they should be more concerned about filling the seats in Heaven. 2 Timothy 4:2 in the Amplified Bible says, “…you as a preacher of the Word are to show in what way their lives are wrong…” Pastors have coddled their people, when they should have challenged them. Second, many believers are protecting their former lifestyles because they enjoy it. Christians today are not laying down their boozing party life because they are protecting their social enjoyment. They should have been protecting their salvation and the blessing of God on their lives. Thirdly, many have forgotten that morality isn’t about rules; it’s about love for God. (Rom 12:1) If you try to live according to rules then you will fail. But if you live your life as an offering founded out of love in your heart, morality will be automatic.
Pastor Tim
Family Church Jamestown is a non-denominational church located in Chautauqua County in Jamestown between Lakewood and Busti, NY. The senior pastor of Family Church is Pastor Tim Stahlman a native to the Jamestown, NY area.
