We have to be in it, but not of it

I keep seeing these clothes being worn at church. In large letters they are emblazoned with 'Abercrombie & Fitch' or 'Aeropostale' or 'Pink' or other things that I know to be associated with clothing lines that are known for their worldliness and overt sexuality. I see dresses with necklines that plunge to reveal whatever is there to be revealed and I see hemlines that are more akin to panty lines. It rankles me to see these things in Gods house.

But you know, that's not where the problem is. Because when I look outside the church, I see these same things being worn by Christian and non-Christian alike. It seems that even by close examination I cannot distinguish the believers from the non-believers and that is a serious problem.

Consider my study verse for today wherein Moses poses a great question to God:

Exodus 33:13

"How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?"

God's response was to first reveal himself to Moses and then to engrave his teachings onto two stone tablets. The rest is, as they say, history.

God has been revealed to us in three forms; his written Word, his eathly manifestation as Jesus and the indwelling Holy Spirit. Together and apart, these all represent truth, compassion, love and glory. So I would argue that we have seen God in ways that Moses could only dream of and believe through faith. We have 'advantages' so to speak with respect to seeing and understanding God.

It is the realization of God and the understanding of his word as evidenced by how our lives are changed by it that distinguish us in the world. The face of the redeemed, the visage of the disciple should reflect God's glory as though a veil has been lifted. The external conduct and the visible actions of the believer should be proof positive of the change that has occured within.

And so as I look upon the world where I see the sheep and the goats co-mingled, it grieves me that I can seldom tell the difference. The outward appearance of most believers is no different than that of the unbelieving. Both wear the same clothes bearing the same messages of worldliness and decadence. Both engage in the same behavior of avarice and greed. Both turn their backs on their brothers in need and speak hatred and vitriol to one another. Both turn to abortion and divorce and both pursue worldly happiness at the cost of eternal holiness. This is not what God intended for his chosen people. This is not why the branch of the Gentile was grafted into the family tree of Abraham. This is not why Immanuel Jesus came and suffered that we may be released not only from Hell but from the bondage of sin.

I challenge YOU today to examine your life. If you are unable to distinguish yourself from among the peoples of the world, I beseech you to repent and to claim your new life in Christ; to live as a believer, to clearly be a sheep among goats.

By His Grace I remain,
Carl