Drawing a Line in the Sand
by Rev. Charles
Betts
Most of
us have heard the phrase, "drawing a line in the sand." The line
represents a boundary we are not to cross.
But, the sand is a pliable substance that can be easily manipulated. The phrase
states we have a boundary that if we do not like where it's at we can erase it
and move it where we want. We use this phrase in the church. We use it
to separate ourselves from the world. This is our separating tool from the
wickedness of this world. We state "we are not like the world, see our
line of separation?" What we need to realize is we are constantly erasing
this line and moving it. Unfortunately, we keep moving it the wrong direction!
We all can say the world is growing worse and worse.
There's no argument. If you read Galatians 5:19-21 and 2 Timothy 3:1-9 these scriptures are full
of sinful attitudes, actions, thoughts and ways that are prevalent in our world today. Just look at the sin that runs
rampant in our streets. What was done behind closed doors just a few short
years ago is now being flaunted in our faces every day. Our own government is
doing everything to undermine what our founding fathers established when they
founded this great country. Let's look at one issue, homosexuality. God states
this sin is an abomination to Him. The Good News Bible translation of Leviticus
18:22 states, "No man is to have sexual relations with another man; God
hates that." God Hates That! But this world has perverted this to the
point where churches let homosexuals preach from their pulpits and now our
federal court system has allowed the institution of gay marriage to be an
acceptable practice in all fifty states!
Holiness
is under attack. Separation from the world is being "grayed out". The
things God deems abominable are being allowed in the very doors of our
churches; even the apostolic church! These things ought not to be! We are making excuse after excuse as to why we are
shifting our stance. What ever happened to, "if God stands against
it that is good enough?" The Word of God is the final say. There are
clear, black and white stands and then there are Godly principles we MUST obey.
We must be a separated people. God is coming back for a people who are
spotless, blameless, holy (Ephesians 5:27 GNB "in order to present the
church to himself in all its beauty—pure and faultless,
without spot or wrinkle or any other imperfection.").
There
are people looking for God. There's a God-size hole in each of our hearts that
only He can fill. If the church doesn't have a different look, attitude,
spirit, or personality than the world, how can those looking for Jesus ever find Him? Yes, we must love the
sinner! Jesus loved them. BUT, we cannot join the world to have an impact
on them. The greatest impact is being like God; drawing closer to Jesus. If we
must erase the line, we must shift the line
closer to God. The only way to get to heaven is to become more like Jesus, not
like the world.
More to come!
