Sometimes it’s funny what can get you thinking. Today, it was the phrase “…the growing lack of integration of the Christian faith into all of everyday life.” This was included as part of the summary of a book by an author for whom I have a significant amount of respect. The thing is, it touches very close to a nerve. It reminds me of one of those things that make people that don’t accept Christ look at those of us who do and say “why would I want to be like that?” What I am talking about are those that claim the name, then spend much of their time clamoring and groaning about how the rest of the world fails to live like it has embraced the same principles and values. This clamoring is often focused around a few hot button issues. Don’t immediately assume that I’m on a different side of these issues. On most, I’m probably not. The problem I have is that these same folks haven’t exactly worked out to perfection all of God’s plan for righteousness in their own lives. None of us can achieve perfection by God’s standard on this side of paradise. But if we’re gonna talk about trying, it ought to be about achieving it ourselves, rather than demanding it of others. At that point, we can start picking up stones.
