I have something to say… There is something dangerous happening in the society. I stop myself short of saying in this generation because we’ve started sounding like a broken record. Also a little overburdening the generation and it’s making it feel like there are new things under the sun whereas there aren’t. Then… then… I’ve just arrived. It’s not like I’ve been through all generations to tell the distinction between this generation and the others. All this to say… we are slowly losing the language of “Stop.”
Everything now must feel soft, affirming, validating, and comforting. And because of that, any Man of God or person in authority, who speaks firmly against sin is beginning to sound “too harsh,” “too judgmental,” or even “false” to some people. I will lean onto the pastoral because that is what I am. But the truth is; biblical correction is not condemnation. Sometimes love sounds like warning. Sometimes grace sounds like restraint. Sometimes the most loving thing someone can tell you is: stop.
“The night is almost gone; the day of salvation will soon be here. So remove your dark deeds like dirty clothes, and put on the shining armor of right living.”
Romans 13:12 NLT
Scripture is not unclear about sin. When you are told to stop sleeping around, stop stealing, stop getting drunk, stop lying, stop dishonoring authority, stop entertaining immorality; that is not someone inventing rules to control your life. They’ve been there since Moses & beyond. That is simply the echo of God’s Word.
“Because we belong to the day, we must live decent lives for all to see. Don’t participate in the darkness of wild parties and drunkenness, or in sexual promiscuity and immoral living, or in quarreling and jealousy.”
Romans 13:13 NLT
The issue is that a part of modern church culture is becoming more of a social club than a refinery. We want inspiration without purification. Encouragement without conviction. Community without repentance. We want sermons that calm us but not sermons that confront us. But gold was never born shining and pure. Gold undergoes fire. Pressure. Separation. Refining.
And so must we. Paul does not only mention outward sins like drunkenness and sexual immorality. He also mentions jealousy and quarrelling, sins many people comfortably hide behind polished appearances and church language. Because the real issue has never only been behavior. The real issue is nature. The drunkenness, the immorality, the idolatry, the lust, the rage, the jealousy… these are fruits of a fallen nature. Humanity keeps trying to trim bad fruit while protecting the same poisoned tree and expecting a different kind of fruit. We try fruitlessly to modify behavior but refuse surrender. We polish corruption instead of crucifying it.
But the solution to the fallen nature was a Man who never fell. Jesus Christ. He came not merely to improve humanity but to restore it. Through Him, we are brought back into right standing with God the Father. The cross was never cosmetic surgery for sinners. It was an execution of the old man so that a new creation could live.
We have spent years trying to cut down bad fruit expecting different results, when what we truly need is for the old tree to die so that a new seed can grow. Salvation.
Jesus died on the cross to give us the opportunity to lay down the old nature and receive a new life in Him. That process is painful because flesh does not surrender quietly. Pride does not die easily. Sin fights for survival. But on the other side of surrender is life. Real life 👌🏽Holy life. 👌🏽 Free life.
“Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!”
2 Corinthians 5:17 NLT
The Gospel is not merely “God understands.” The Gospel is all about “God transforms.” So when Scripture says flee sexual immorality☝🏽 flee. When Scripture says put away drunkenness☝🏽 put it away. When Scripture says crucify the flesh☝🏽 crucify it. When Scripture says repent☝🏽repent.
Not because God hates you. Not because the one presenting the message is bad. Your pastor is not bad, your mentor is not bad… But because these God given mentors, accountability partners and servants of God are trying to save you from what sin eventually becomes – Death. Scripture says that the wages of sin is death. And that is why we don’t see categories of punishment. You’re quarrelsome – death. You’re a fornicator – death. You disrespect authority – death. Same bad tree = bad fruit.
Jesus is still calling people out of darkness and into his marvellous light – Life consistently. Seeking their souls to be saved. Give Him the chance to restore you to the Father. “He told him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.’” John 14:6. Let us agree to cut those trees with finality and allow the new fruit we desire to see to come forth from this process.
Another story from a man still under construction
Grace & Peace ✌️