It is easy for us to tarnish God's character because He never argues back; He never tries to defend or vindicate Himself.
"He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth." Isaiah 53:7
I once knew a guy who cussed constantly. He was a nice guy but I really didn't want to hang around him much because I always left feeling dirty and abused by his language. One of the things he often did was to take the Lord's name in vain. Finally, one day I asked him to tone it down a bit. I'd had enough. You can't carry on a conversation with someone who's every other word is one you wouldn't care to repeat. He looked at me in a shocked and hurt manner. Like I had slapped him across the face. (Which I have to confess I was mentally contemplating.) "Why! What's wrong!" he stammered. I tried to explain that he's never heard a word like that from me so why did he think it was all right to continue talking like that to me. I said that I was particularly offended by the use of God's name in this string of tirades and really didn't care to hear it anymore.
"You see!" he exclaimed. "That's what I tell everyone that churchy-folk are always judging people!"
Well, actually no, we're not. There's just some things we don't like. You don't have to drink to always have a good time. You don't have to cuss to make a point.
You don't have to sleep around to find a soulmate.
You don't have to lie to make people like you.
So when did it become socially acceptable to judge those who abstain from those behaviors? To me cuss words are a sign of a small vocabulary. If you can't use big-people words to communicate your ideas then maybe you need to go read a dictionary. But I don't go around telling people that. It's because I have respect for the other person. But on the other hand, if I ask someone to not behave a certain way in front of me, for some reason it's all right to criticize me for the "prudish" or "backward" ideals I live my life by. In today's world it seems that any behavior should be acceptable. And if you're not accepting of it then you're unenlightened in your thinking.
In religious circles we have a moral compass when it comes to our behaviors. It's called the Ten Commandments. And it's filled with a whole bunch of "Shall nots." Maybe the reason why is because we too often choose to "shall" something when we should be thinking, "Not!"
Let us pray.
Our gracious God, we come to you today with contrite hearts. We know that we have fallen short of your glory and for that we repent. We know that we should do more to become better people and better spouses, parents and children. And yet we don't. We ask this day that you show us how to love more graciously and be the people you need us to be. In Christ's name we pray. Amen.
PASTOR TROY CONRAD IS MINISTER OF THE FARMINGTON UNITED METHODIST CHURCH.
Religion on 02/18/2015