| God and the cityok, so the sex and the city frenzy is sweeping the country and i want to cry. even my aunt took my grandma to see it. when they came in saying how much they enjoyed it, i was in shock. so, here's the clencher... i went to see it at midnight opening night, but not before a good friend of mine could say "Elizabeth, do you think that would be pleasing to the Lord?" while my first response was to laugh it off and think "it's just a silly movie and i'm not about to feign self-righteousness", i knew she was right. so off i went, ready to enjoy a night out with my girls. a few hours later as i sat there in the theatre, all i could think was no, He's not pleased, in fact His sadness was almost palpable...or was it disappointment? the dysfunction, treatment of men as objects, meaningless sex, materialism, and Godlessness tore at my spirit. sure salvation is by faith not by works that any should boast (eph 2:8-9), but God calls us to obedience. He calls us to set our thoughts on whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable (phil 4:8). do we not fear the Lord? do we not believe that the Lord is fully capable of cutting us off as He has done to those who continue in unbelief? i write this as much to remind myself as to ask you. The Lord says: "You will say then, 'branches were broken off that i could be grafted in.' Granted. But they were broken off because of unbelief, and you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but be afraid. For if God did not spare the natural branches, he will not spare you either. Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God: sternness to those who fell, but kindness to you, provided that you continue in His kindness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off." ~romans 11:19-22 we act as though we live by the standards of the world. NO! "For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does" (2 cor 10:3) i urge you as peter did "Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Christ Jesus is revealed. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written : 'Be holy, because I am holy.' Since you call on a Father who judges each man's works impartially, live your lives as strangers here in reverent fear. For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver and gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a Lamb without blemish or defect." ~1 Peter 1:13-18 |
