I was reading this morning a marvelous book by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones entitled “Studies in the Sermon on the Mount” and came across a profound statement. Churches today are so concerned about being relevant that they are becoming more and more like the world in an effort to attract the world. Unfortunately, this approach is totally against what we as Christians are called to do.
I liken it to a moth to a light. Moths are attracted to the shimmering bright light of a light bulb. They come out of the darkness to the light – attracted by something different from their surroundings. (Yes, I know this may be a “lame” sermon illustration but there is something to be said in it.)
Dr. Lloyd-Jones says it best:
“The glory of the gospel is that when the Church is absolutely different from the world, she invariably attracts it. It is then that the world is made to listen to her message, though it may hate it at first. That is how revival comes. That must also be true of us as individuals. It should not be our ambition to b as much like everybody else as we can, though we happen to be Christian, but rather to be as different from everybody who is not a Christian as we can possibly be. Our ambition should be to be like Christ, to more like Him the better, and the more like Him we become, the more we shall be unlike everybody who is not a Christian.“
Are we seeing a trend in the American church that is straying from this? I believe so. We’re so eager to be relevant that we are no different from the world. Sure we are in the world but we are not of the world. (John 17:16)
Our purpose and chief end is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. And through that process He is conforming us more and more in the image of His Son. He is preparing His elect to be presented to the King as His bride – the Church of Jesus Christ.
Oh how we need to be preaching and teaching the full counsel of the Word of God in the American church today. I am convinced that one of the greatest mission fields today is the American Church. Pray for revival – pray for a return to the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ.
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