Out of This World

I spent a lot of time this morning reading, researching, meditating etc and out of this the disturbing trend that believers say on the one hand, "we are not of this world" and yet we tend to read the things we read and surf the places we surf and watch the things we watch, justifying it on the basis we are believers and can handle it. How absurd!  We sometimes give ourselves a pass and cross over the line into temptation believing our faith protects us-that we know right from wrong.  When we do this we cross over into dangerous territory because we believers are still very vulnerable.  Knowing this, why do we feel it's acceptable to allow our behavior so close to the danger zone?  Mom reads that book, dad watches that show and the kids see both going on. Top that off with parents actually escorting their daughters to see The Twilight movie. Sounds pretty harmless until you research the teen sub-culture that is arising from this stuff. All of us as parents and grandparents need to get a better grip on what we are doing in our homes and even with our kids in tow. In the world and not of it? We can do better at proving it I think. It's difficult I know. Some of this stuff comes out of nowhere and blindsides us. There are plenty of other times however we seek this stuff out.  Sadly there are too many of us crossing the line these days.

A lot is made lately about making disciples and discipleship programs or even creating a culture for discipleship. The thing is, in my opinion, true discipleship happens passively. When we live right our behavior is an encouragement and an example for others seeking behavior they want to pattern for their own life. I think if we each take a moment and think about who we wish we could be more like, we might begin to see a shift in our behavior patterns. It's something I need to engage in more earnestly and I don't think I'm alone.