So I'm watching an episode of the oh so popular Fox television show "House" last night and he (House, lead character in the show) makes a comment about half way through the show about Christians. It was one of those things that we usually just laugh off and say oh that's just our world, but tonight it wasn't like that for me. Although I can't recall exactly what was said, he made a cutting comment about "Christians being one of the only things in this world that you still can make fun of." Now was he right in saying that or making that sort of observation? Was he telling the truth that Christians are one of the groups these days that are made fun of with no one caring to stop you? Heaven forbid we say anything about same sex marriage or obesity, but when it comes to Christians it's okay to laugh. I being a Christian take great offense to this stance. Since when has it been okay to watch something that degrades my heritage, my being, my creator? Why is it that we as Christians don't take offense to this? What would Paul do if he saw something like this taking place in the streets of his day? Would he go back on a weekly basis to catch what this person had to say for an hour every week? Do you think he would listen for one second to this persons wisdom or wittiness? I don't think so myself. Sometimes I just wonder how saturated we have become in our culture that we don't take offense to someone talking about our father that way. Our life. Do we really believe or follow? Don't you think that if we had some sort of loyalty or love for God that we would take offense to that sort of comment? It's not funny. It's downright wrong. I find too many times a stance about our faith as meek, slightly less firm, walk all over us, it's okay mentality with Christians today. Don't get me wrong, I believe in gentleness and self control and we live in a fallen world, (see we even feel like we have to cover ourselves everytime we say something about taking a firm stand, ahhhhhh) but do we feel the least bit offended when our King is mocked. What about the celebrities who carelessly thank god (little 'g') about all they have and do, yet turn around and slap him right in the face with there lyrics they won the award for? What about the comedy, sarcasm, and excess thoughtlessness we give Christ in our speech and television viewing? Do we have any reverence for our God? Do we think when he called us his friend, He meant that we could chum it up like we do with our brothers and sisters? Abraham was called a "friend of God" (James 2:23) yet there is a difference of friendship with humans and friendship with a referent God. So I ask, is it worth it? How far will we go until we don't even flinch about comments made about our Savior? (Psalm 78:35-37). How much do we care? Do we care at all? Are we careful about what comes in so we protect our hearts for it is the well spring of life? (Proverbs 4:23) Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers. 1 Timothy 4:16 We must take this seriously, for it could cost us everything if we don't.
JTH
