Public Respectability
There are those of us who want to be religious, but only to the point of being publicly respectable. We would not want to do anything that is publicly unacceptable. If this means sacrificing the truth, or right, then so be it!
Consider Jesus. He was born in the most humble of circumstances. He died a death shrouded in shame. He was not crucified in a church building, but between two thieves in the part of town we might consider the "wrong side of the tracts." It was the kind of place where cynics talk smut, thieves curse, and soldiers gamble. The cross of Jesus has always been a "scandal" (I Cor. 1:23) to those who demand that our religious faith be "respect-able" in the eyes of the prevailing culture.
We need to be reminded that Jesus "endured the shame" (Heb. 12:2), and that we will have to endure it too. "All who will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution." (II Tim. 3:12)
There is no way to live the Christian life and hold to the truths of Christianity in such a way as to command the respect of the world. The world is at enmity with God. We can always expect opposition. Just as in the first century, there are those who consider Christianity foolishness. (I Cor. 1:23)
The World Is At Enmity With God
There are those who consider baptism for forgiveness foolish. But the Bible still teaches it. (Acts 2:38; 22:16; Mark 16:16)
There are those who consider partaking of the Lord’s Supper each week to be foolish. But the Bible still teaches it. (Acts 20:7)
There are those who think it foolish to maintain acappella music only. However, this is the only music authorized in the New Testament. (Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16)
It is obvious there are those who consider pornography, prurient (sexually explicit) material, and obscene, immoral programs on TV and in the theater to be acceptable, but the Bible teaches against all such. (II Tim. 2:22; I Tim. 5:22)
Let us not be ashamed of being a Christian (I Pet. 4:16), but at the same time realize that very likely much opposition will come when we uphold the truth of God. After all, it put God’s son on a cross.
– Max Patterson, 4438 South 89th Road, Bolivar, MO 65613-8012
