Over the past four years, I've seen a different side of many people. Perhaps it was because we were in a place of leadership that these things were hidden from us. Perhaps these things didn't happen four years ago. Or perhaps I just never noticed. But now I can't just ignore what is happening. It seems like so many Christians are now such a mess. For the past few weeks, this keeps running through my mind.
Here is what I have noticed and I will put it bluntly:
There is a lot of sinful stuff going on!
I don't usually say these kinds of things, especially this strongly, but my heart aches for some of you.
Jesus has called us out of a lifestyle of garbage, destruction, and death. Yet it is all to easy to revert back to what we once were so repulsed by. You know what is right. You know what is sin and what isn't. Please don't play around the edges. Don't call it something else. Don't justify it. Sin is sin. It seems like every week or two I hear of yet another person doing something so contrary to what they have been taught.
For young people that I was your youth pastor or I was an influence in your lives: you have no idea how much I have anguished over what has happened. I am sure I let you down and disappointed you. I am sorry for that. But know that I still care for each of you. I hurt often for some of you who are making bad choices. You know what you have been taught. You know what Karen and I were doing - calling you to a higher standard. You know you are called to rise above all that stuff. You know what is right. You know if your heart is captivated by God or by the world. Please, make things right between you and God. Please, stop destroying yourselves and those around you.
We all go through difficult times in our Christian lives. There are times when we are upset with God, or even try to rebel and run away. However, while God is gracious and loving, we usually end up paying dearly for our sins. Whatever it is that you are dabbling in, or has got you hooked, please set things right. Get help, get deliverance, get freedom. Times are tough, and things will get tougher. We must be looking to Jesus more now than ever.
Now is not the time to try to walk the line, trying to live worldly but still Christian. It is not time to see how much we can get away with. Please repent - turn around and go the other way. If you want to talk with me, I'd love to help. Or find someone that can help. Please.
We are all in this together; if you have a friend or relative struggling, please pray for them and do what you can to help them get things right. Let us all continue to grow in our faith and maturity!
Keith
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