Riding the Fence.... politically speaking!

And Elijah came near to all the people and said, "How long will you go limping between different opinions?  If the LORD is God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him."  1 Kings 18:21 (ESV)

There has never been a greater time of instability in our country, our communities, our churches, and in our homes than these days we currently live in.  I doubt few of you would disagree.  The chaos confusion, drama, and turmoil is for a million different reasons and seemingly no two scenarios are the same.  I hear them all the time in ministry!  You hear the good, the bad, and the ugly.  I got to admit, these days you hear alot of bad an ugly!  We have to be careful to not listen to too much Country music and not watch the Evening News when we get home.  That could send you into a tail spin, a darkening hallway of depression.  It's no wonder that many ministers are frequenting the doctors office with high anxiety, depression, and heart issues.  Their is stress there.  We hear it all! 

For the sake of being kind, I offer an apology for trying to stereotype all circumstances in the world, but I have to believe there are certain behaviors, attitudes, and beliefs that lay at the root of the conflict.  Pride, selfishness, prejudice, and hatred to name a few.  But to me, it's a simple as one concept.  Honesty.  Honesty is that conviction that you lay the TRUTH out there on the line at all costs.  When you're wrong, you own up to it.  When you are right and are afraid of the ramifications of speaking up, you speak up because it's right!  We need more boldness in the world!  We need to stop "limping between different opinions." 

The beauty of Elijah's simple statement is that it calls for a decision.  Pick one.  If  you believe that the LORD is God, then follow Him.  If not, stop playing church, religion, and wrecking the name of Jesus!  It's as simple as that!  That's not politically correct and it may not help build the next "six flags under Jesus" mega church, but isn't it just right?  The TRUTH is always refreshing.  It always sets free the human soul from bondage! 

I was reading in my journal notes on a message I heard a few years ago from Jay Strack.  Here is a noteworthy quote, "When you find out who you are, you can stop pretending to be who you're not."  When we come face to face with ourselves in TRUTHFULNESS, we can stop putting up this false wardrobe of pretense. 

I beg Christians to stop limping between opinions.  Seek the TRUTH of Jesus Christ and live out the WORD of God.  Leaders from pastors to politicians should stop trying to appease the masses and be true to the ABSOLUTE STANDARDS of God!  Lying, cheating, inappropriate relationships, gossipping, financial fraud, and selfishness is not okay in American, in the church, in our communities, and in our homes!  There is a higher calling for those who have been called out of the darkness into the light! 

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.                                    1 Peter 2:9 (ESV)