Not Relating Faith to Life

Please read Isaiah 58:3-5. (The link will open in a new window).

“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel.” – Matthew 23:23-24.

A businessman in a western city owns six adult bookstores, an X-rated theater, and a Condoms Plus store. He faithfully attends his cultural church, contributes generously to it, and vigorously promotes law enforcement. Titian, the great Venetian painter, painted the most flagrant Bacchanalistic scenes—naked people in sexual orgies; drunkards sprawling, gorging themselves—then used the same talent and brush to paint The Tribute Money. He could pass from Bacchus to Christ, Durant said, “with no apparent loss to his peace of mind.”

Peter the Great of Russia would regularly sing in the church choir, take communion, discuss theology expertly, and fine anyone who talked or dozed during Mass. A few hours later he would abandon himself to immoral, sadistic orgies. He severely punished anyone who insulted the Church, but amused himself by ridiculing the objects of the faith.

Given the certainty that little “clean” money exists in a fallen world, can Christians own or work for businesses that intentionally corrupt spiritual values? Given the certainty that honey bees die out in our hearts while roaches thrive, we must restrain ourselves from moving casually from the most sacred thoughts to the most profane.

Courtesy of Speaker’s Sourcebook of New Illustrations by Virgil Hurley © 1995 by Word, Incorporated.
Unless otherwise noted, Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV © 2011 by Biblica, Inc.®
Used by permission. All rights reserved.