Are you different? Do those around you notice that you are different than those in the world?

God’s Razor of Judgment
7 “Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says: You have been more unruly than the nations around you and have not followed my decrees or kept my laws. You have not even conformed to the standards of the nations around you.
8 “Therefore this is what the Sovereign Lord says: I myself am against you, Jerusalem, and I will inflict punishment on you in the sight of the nations.
Ezekiel 5:7-8 (NIV)

God was Judging Israel for not being different than those around them, in fact this implies they were worse than those around them.  He was going to judge them and call accounts due.

Harsh, maybe but he is a God who gives us the choice to follow him, if we choose not to then yes there are consequences to be met.  We are responsible for what we do, not someone else.

I have seen studies that show “sin” rates are no different in the “church” than outside the church.  This is used in some cases to show the ineffectiveness of the church and reasons not to be part of the church.  Oh how we have failed God when we are like this.  We claim to be followers of Christ then our actions seem to indicate otherwise.  I am not saying we should be without sin, even God does not say that.  What there needs to be though is an obvious difference between those who follow God and those who do not.

Part of this comes from those who discount the Word of God and yet at the same time say they are “Christians”, those who openly practice sins listed in the Bible with no intent of changing and with an actual attitude that they are OK.

19 The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
Galatians 5:19-21 (NIV)

Many groups practice such openly and with approval as this is good, and at the same time profess to be followers of Christ.  Is this right?  Certainly not!

It is not that we are without sin, but let us not openly say sin is ok, let us not say we can do such an such because the passage no longer applies because of such and such.

God’s word is His word, it does not change.  Sin is sin and all have sinned, all still sin.  It is our attitude towards sin that matters.  Do we embrace it and say this is good or do we regret sin and repent of it.  Do we seek self or do we seek God.

Examine yourself to see where you fall.  If you need to repent and see the face of forgiveness in God.  If you are part of a christian group who supports sin, leave.  Find a group who believes every word of the bible is truth, God’s word given to us such that we can follow him.

Pray for God’s forgiveness and read his word every day to learn what He would have you do.  Try to walk in his steps, seeking his will over your own.  It won’t happen over night but you will change if you seek him.  He is calling, what is your answer?