Are You Compromising God’s Standards? 01/11/2012
 Don’t stand back from applying God’s standards and deep convictions to your life. During my recent trip to Israel, I had many encounters with the Lord that confirmed my convictions. Oh, some may look at me as a rule crazy, over spiritual, pest of a sort. Believe me, I have heard it all. If you have not heard such, perhaps you are compromising God’s standards in your life. Recently God has been affirming my convictions by placing other people in my pathway who possess the same heart, passion, and spirit of no-compromise as me. It has been so refreshing. I have been accused of being judgmental, too good for anyone, unapproachable and some other kind verbiage I won’t mention. I understand when someone is living a two faced life of compromise how they can be uncomfortable around me. Hey, there was a time, I too, was much like that in my distant past and I ran from anyone trying to hold a higher standard over my life or make me accountable. Sin naturally is repulsed by such a thought, and so believe me, I am not superhuman in that I do not deal with sin daily. In fact, that may be the issue here. People do not deal with sin anymore, sin deals with them. Thus, there life of compromise peels away the light of the Holy Spirit leaving dark blotches on their heart, why they continue to go about not recognizing their own change of demeanor or countenance. Unfortunately, this attitude of rebellion against higher Christian standards runs ramped in the Body of Christ today. The seeker friendly approach limits the true preaching of the Gospel. In addition, allowing blatant sin to go unchecked in the church brings the moving of the Holy Spirit to a halt in the assembly. I do not mean lost people who are in the midst. I mean folks who claim to be saved and are using their position in the church to influence others, whether they know it or not. I was not raised in a Christian home, so I have seen the good, bad and the ugly of abandonment of morals and standards. I have seen the true depravity of man in action and it is downright frightening when you realize how depraved we as humans really have become. Even more so, when you read our history and realize we have always possessed a spirit of depravity and been in need of redemption. Thank God for Jesus, our Redeemer! For some that is as far as it goes. Now that they have a Redeemer, they go on living their lives in the same pattern as before. I have always said it is getting more difficult to separate the sheep from the goats in the assembly. Why is that? There has been a loss of standards as believers have succumbed to the lies of the world. Apparently living out your Christian walk these days will get you labeled with names such as a religious fanatic, higher than the Almighty, etc. No one knows just how dark of a past someone else has until they come to Jesus. My life before Christ, and perhaps during my walk have resembled some darkness as I have relented to authority and laid aside my personal convictions to please man instead of God. Don’t get me wrong. I submit to spiritual authority whether I agree or not, because I know God blesses that. When you have a spiritual authority over you who refuses to hold others accountable or allows sin to run its course in the Body of Christ, you’ve got a problem. Some pastors have the attitude that this is the only way to win these kinds of people to Christ. In fact, they will say things like, "Jesus ate with the tax collectors and sinners." This is true, but He never allowed them to be in the forefront of His ministry. Leaders refuse to address the true issue because they do not want to rock the boat as to draw enough attention to lose the preciousness of a full offering plate, or to stir up problems in the deacon family that has been there since the foundation of the building. However, just the opposite would occur. If a pastor stood up against sin as we read in the Bible, our churches would be thriving and healthy. The next generation following us would have clear guidelines to adhere to when it comes to walking a life of faith. The atmosphere of the church would change and healings, salvations, repentance, and confessions would all flow freely as each one admits that they are nothing without the complete filling or dwelling of the Holy Spirit. As a worship leader, my heart aches, because many times in the assembly these are the very things that are not happening because of pride, haughtiness, lack of respect for God’s Word, and blatant sin in the congregation. This sickness in the church is nationwide, and perhaps worldwide. I have seen it over and over again as I sing songs of deliverance over the chains that hold the souls of men. As for me, I am not satisfied with the status quo of church today. Proverbs 28:1 says, “The wicked man flees though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion.” I will continue to boldly stand up for the standards of God. Sometimes I feel like I am in a Star Trek movie, going where no man has ever gone before. Why is that? Mainly, because of how difficult it is find others who walk with God’s standards in their life. Oh I have messed up, made some unforgettable blunders along the way, but I have never forgotten God’s Word, nor rejected his discipline once I called upon Him as my Lord. As I mentioned earlier, while I was in Israel God told me that my convictions were His convictions and that He had a much higher calling on my life. That is all that I needed. My friends, God has a much higher calling on your life too. Are you compromising God’s standards to achieve your own will and way, or will you repent and walk in Holiness, as He is holy? --- Jane CommentsLinda Sanderson 01/11/2012 9:52am
Jane, thank you for speaking out about a very sensitve subject that many leaders refuse to even approach. I have always appreciated your boldness and true spirit. ---linda Trey Hout 01/11/2012 10:35am
Jane, I wish more people who had the same conviction as you would speak out....perhaps the world would change, at least inside the church. Hope you do not mind me using part of your blog as a sermon illistration. God Bless You! Steve Vaughn 01/11/2012 12:08pm
Jane, Mom, ORMAL BIBLICAL CHRISTIANITY. Eternally grateful that you are mom and Granny!!!! Love you so much!!! Ana 01/11/2012 2:54pm
Mom, Sharon 01/11/2012 5:24pm
Hi Sister....as always I am in awe of the energy the Lord has given you to share with others the wonders of His grace and love. You are so full of the Holy Spirit it overflows into all you decide to do and to all you encounter. I am so blessed to be one of those people! I feel as you do...for all of us and the church to grow and prosper in the light of God's teachings.....we must be accountable and transparant to His will in our daily walk with Him. I am so happy you have had encouragement to grow your ministry and are trying new venues to reach more folks. The Lord has touched you...given you guidance....and sent you "angels" to help you accomplish His work through your work. Your music...your prayers.....your teachings.....all flow through you as He guides....and what a delight for all of us who know you. Thank you for the continued and shared blessings....you are a gift to my spirit<3 Look forward to seeing you again soon! 01/11/2012 6:32pm
@Sharon----Thankyou so much dear sister for your encouragment and for shining the light so brightly where you live. You have encouraged me in so many ways by making yourself available to minister to me as I minister to others. I love you for that! May the Lord continue to open doors and help us shine His light brighter than ever! Rhona 01/11/2012 7:23pm
Ms. Jane What u say is true.... But not everyone comes to God like u did.. We r to let them know how Christians are to act...If we get them involved in th e church that they can better understand God and how he loves all kinds of people....we are more like exa mples to them...I dont think they should be able to preach....Or be the head of anything... But they do need a chance... i pray that we all dont compromise God way of life.. we r a dieing breed when we dont live his way of life.... e he is the ONE AND ONLY true way... rhona 01/11/2012 7:51pm
I have read this a again... It has hit me n ow what u r trying to say....we need this type of preaching in our chruchs... Pastors need to not compromise the way of life...We are to walk the right paths...U r so insightful and spiritual...May God keep u on track...U r what we need...love and prayers Rhona 01/12/2012 8:14am
@ Rhona---Glad you re-read....One correction---Jesus is all we need! He will neve let you down! Blessings! Tony 01/12/2012 8:15am
Powerful, truthful, Holy spirit led! Thanks sista! Pastor Sakes 01/12/2012 8:19am
Sister Jane, my heart is beating faster than ever....I see what you say is honesty from the Father's throne. Thank you for your obedience to Him. If every Christian lived like this, there would be non-believers standing at the doors of churches waiting to find THIS JESUS! God bless you and your ministry, Jane 01/12/2012 8:20am
@Pastor Sakes----Bless you pastor for your encouragment and may we all pray that the spiritual condition of the church be renewed by those daring enough to walk the walk of faith! Leave a Reply | Who am I?Jane Morin is a worship leader, freelance writer, songwriter and conference speaker with a passion for the Body of Christ and those who need Him so desperately. ArchivesMay 2012 |
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