We place quotation marks around the Scripture we quote. It is right when quoting something not original to us. In doing so, what we quote can sound distant and not part of us like it is when quoting something from a book. Scripture is different. It is alive and active and intended to be incarnated in us to become the very conversation of our lives.
As you read the following paragraph, a section of Scripture from Ephesians 5: 3-6 (I did not include quotation marks), read it like you were having a conversation with someone more mature and wiser than you who is instructing you how to live in a world where people are doing what they consider to be right in their own eyes, especially those within the Church who have succumbed to the spirit and language of the world.
Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people. Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God. You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. Don’t be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the anger of God will fall on all who disobey him. Don’t participate in the things these people do.
What jumped out at me were the words “Don’t be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins.” To be “fooled” means to be deceived or beguiled. It is the same word used in the Greek translation of Genesis regarding the response of Eve when she ate the forbidden fruit, “The serpent deceived me.” When applied to how we process the sins mentioned in Ephesians 5, those who try to excuse such sins do so in an attempt to be inclusive or not sound offensive. The word “excuse” in this verse defines a way of thinking and responding to life that is empty and void of truth.
A vagueness about sin has slithered into the Church in America and has been falsely labeled as love. Some believers are more fearful of offending someone than they are of remaining silent when the truth is required. Only the truth can set people free, not our silence, vagueness, or the excuses we offer that give people the wrong impression.
Paul did not mince his words when he wrote to the church in Ephesus, “Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people. Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you.” How’s that for getting to the point and tossing cold water on the conversation at the next church potluck?
When people walk into our churches are they hearing excuses, dismissal, or vagueness regarding the issues of life? Or are they hearing what it looks and sounds like to be someone who has been redeemed from a lesser way of living? The truth is what people are hungry for in a world where vagueness, dismissal, and excuses seem to be ruling the day.
EXCELLENT word…spiritual dullness and laziness. I created a video on the topic of laziness and bad grammar when it comes to believers who think using “g” vs “G” for God which is always a proper noun. So bothered by the lack of concern in the church over this. When doing so they are lumping the one and only true, living God/Creator in with all the 1000’s of false gods throughout the world.
Thank you for another thought provoking post.