“We do not want a Church that will move with the world. We want a Church that will move the world.” ~ G.K. Chesterton
The Israelites saw other nations who had kings and they insisted upon having a king of their own. A prophet challenged their choice, telling them that they would have to be subservient to the king and that would take them from the Lord. They chose to follow the way of the world. We see where that got them.
The Israelites saw other nations who had idols of gold to worship. Rather than worshipping an unseen God, they wanted to construct idols as well so that they could be like the rest of the world around them. We see where that got them.
I could go on; but, I think the point has been made. Whenever we abandon our relationship with the Lord and opt for the ways of the world, we fall into ruin. That being the case, we have seen and heard many people who say that the Church needs to get in step with the modern world. It needs to lighten up on its teachings on morality, justice, and other issues. It needs to accept capital punishment, euthanasia, and abortion. It needs to endorse governments that oppress others. It needs to be able to move away from the “restrictive” teachings that have kept people from realizing their full potential.
Who is doing all that talking? I’ll tell you. The devil. Throughout the ages, the devil has worked hard at encouraging people to reject the teachings of God. Once he gets his foot in the door, it is easier for him to lead people down a different path, the path to perdition. Make no mistake about it. There is a heaven and there is a hell. There is a God and there is a devil. There is eternal life and there is eternal death.
Chesterton’s hope for a Church that will move the world is noble. We should not move with the world because when we do, we water down our teachings and embrace things that are utterly wrong and inherently sinful. If we stand up for the faith, for the teachings of Christ, we have the possibility to move the world and get it back on track to the Kingdom of God.
Some people don’t want to do that because they see the glitz and glam of the world. Believe me, I see it, too. I hear it, too. It is incredibly tempting. To be able to live our own lives, free of rules and regulations, is extremely tempting. To have immediate gratification and suffer no consequences is alluring.
Guess what. There are consequences. When we buy in to the world’s temptations, we think that everything is fine. We forget that we will make an accounting of ourselves one day before God. Don’t allow the lures of the world to cause you to falter. Hold firm in the faith, be a beacon of light and love, and move the world and the people around you closer to God.
FAITH ACTION: Make sure that your words and deeds are in step with the Lord today and not with the world.