Is Approval and Practice the Same?

Do you believe that “religion” has its place but is totally disconnected to the way you live your life? Christians may not practice ungodly living but what about their approval of it?

Scripture:

Romans 1:32 Although they know God's righteous decree that those who do such things deserve death, they not only continue to do these very things but also approve of those who practice them

Some of us were talking just a few days ago how TV, movies, and magazines, ads and commercials have changed through the years. It seems like there is no limit to what is said or done in public anymore. There is no shame. No distinction between good and evil. Sidney J. Harris says, “Once we assuage our conscience by calling something a "necessary evil," it begins to look more and more necessary and less and less evil.”

It is only by God’s standards that we can distinguish right from wrong? My pastor has a saying, “Right is always right, and wrong is always wrong. It is never right to do wrong and, It is never wrong to do right.”

While we may not practice wrong or evil doing, ungodly living, and worldliness, we may be guilty of its approval. Too often we silently approve when we refuse to: speak out against wrong doings, change channels when ungodly language is being used, walk out of an obscene movie, etc.

Jesus said, in the Sermon on the Mount, "You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men. You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." Matthew 5:13-16

Christians cannot be the salt of the earth if they are not different from the world, not for the sake of being different but that other can see the hope within us. We need to look for ways to lead the nation back to Christ rather than condemning them to an eternity in hell.

Application:

1.   Are there things that once shocked you that now don’t even raise your eyebrows?

2.   What do you find most pleasure in doing? What do you watch and listen to and laugh at for entertainment: music, dvd’s, cd’s, movies that may not be right?

3.   We need to pray each day that God will keep our hearts pure and keep us still able to be shocked by sin.

4.   How are we conducting our lives so that we are the salt of the earth?

Prayer:

Dear Father, forgive me for the times that I have sat silently and approved of things that I knew were wrong in your sight. Keep my mind clear so that I am able to discern right from wrong. Help me to be a light of the world so that others will come to know you. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.