Standards?

Recently I experienced a "Christian" concert of some very popular and up-and-coming bands. The music was intensely upbeat and the quality of the sound was impeccable. The music ability and talent was second-to-none. The words, though indistinguishable, were powerful, poetic, and thought-provoking. The entertainment value was mind-boggling, and the crowd was participative and packed.

BUT, there was little redemptive spiritual value. I found myself grieved at the lack of personal testimony shining through the lead singers' words. I didn't hear the gospel, let alone about the nature of God, the beauty of the church, the joy of forgiveness or the fruit of the Spirit, and certainly nothing about Jesus Christ.

So what happened? Not to be the Pharisee, but it seems someone's standards were lowered.

We do this all the time: lower our standards to fill a need, whether that need is to reach someone who is lost, or to relate better to others, or to not look too set apart, or to try to understand the culture better, or, more honestly, to feed our flesh.

Our generation of believers has en masse found the path of Lot far easier to tread down than Calvary's road. We find excuses and 'reasons' to head downhill to Sodom, rather than taking up our cross, denying ourselves, and heading up the hill after Jesus.

When we lower a personal, Biblical standard that God has given to us as a means to some end, we will find ourselves compromising and accepting more what God has forbid for us.

Adam and Eve knew the stakes, and knew the standard. But when they questioned the motive behind the standard, behind the law, behind the command, they fell.

We too must not question WHY God gives us a different standard for music, money, drinks, language, media, or anything else you can fill in the blank.

Just trust that His commands are not burdensome and by abiding in Christ, we will bear much fruit, fruit that remains.
His,
Pilgrim