Are You Just Delivering Lip Service?

I have always considered myself a Christian even as a child. Although I do not always attend church, I pray to God everyday, several times a day, and thank Him for our blessings. I have always found comfort in God’s Word and enjoy reading the bible. I have to admit I don’t always have the easiest time translating some of the words or parables, but I usually understand the overall message. My husband recently discovered a pastor by the name of Pastor Murray. We have watched his program before, but would only watch it on occasion due to the fact it aired very early in the morning. One evening my husband decided to record it so that we could watch it on our time schedule. We sat down and watched the program together and felt so comforted and empowered by his teachings, and we both actually felt like we truly understood His message.

Why Pastor Murray? One of the things we enjoy most about his teachings is that he teaches verse by verse and chapter by chapter. He breaks it down into managable sections and gives you the true meaning of the word as it was intended in (for example), Greek, or Hebrew. While he is reading the bible verse, the verse scrolls on the screen allowing the viewer to read along with him. Perhaps one of my favorite things he said, was that the bible is God’s Letter to us all. I have never really looked at it that way before, but the bible truly is God’s Letter to all of us. He wants us to understand and live His Word. Not just to read His Word, but to truly live it and understand it.

One evening we were watching his program and he spoke of Isaiah 29:13. This verse in the King James Version reads like this:

“Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:”

As Pastor Murray delved into the meaning of this verse, it was as though a light bulb went off above our heads. This verse along with Pastor Murray’s teaching, washed over us. My husband paused the show and we began discussing how we could relate to this message and the way many of us have whether intentionally or unintentionally, strayed. Are there very many Christians, or any other religions for that matter, truly living and understanding the meaning of God’s Letter to his children, or are we merely honoring Him with our lips?

Take a look at where we are today, and where we were in say, 1950. Many studies indicate that America’s morals and values have declined. Many believe the media is a major influence in that decline. Lonnette Harrel, a writer, singer, and Ordained Minister, among many other things, wrote: Remember the television shows such as Leave it to Beaver, Donna Reed, The Andy Griffith Show, and Father Knows Best, just to name a few? “Almost without exception, every show presented an ethical or moral challenge to one of the main characters. As they tried to work through their various dilemmas, we also learned valuable lessons along with them. Right and wrong was clearly defined. The concept of "situational ethics" had never been imagined. As a child, I was not only entertained, but also learned character building concepts, that were embraced by most of society at that time.

The messages of today's programs are quite different. Many shows blatantly promote adultery, premarital sex, drug and alcohol use, extreme violence, rebellion and disobedience, disrespect of the law, and many other detrimental concepts.”

In our efforts to be politically correct, we have achieved an "anything goes" philosophy. We are implored to embrace every ridiculous way of thinking, and most immoral conduct, in an effort to recognize and approve all lifestyles. (And we call this tolerance.) Situational ethics have taken the place of definitive right and wrong.

As a nation, it's time we got back to the great principles that were the foundation of our country. Virtues such as honesty, truthfulness, decency, faithfulness, trustworthiness, and morality make a society strong. Immorality, lawlessness, dishonesty, and violence weaken it.

In conclusion, our moral meltdown cannot just be attributed to the media. Truthfully, it is rooted in each of our hearts, when we do not live the virtues that we say we believe. Our hypocrisy is then evident to all who observe our actions. But this moral decline of our nation can be reversed. It must, however, start in our homes (as it did in the Fifties) through a consistent and Faithful example. What we actually do, will always speak louder than what we say. Morality is, after all, better demonstrated than preached.

Which leaves one to ask, with our morals and values on the decline, are we just delivering lip service? Have you read, lived, and understood God's Letter to you?

Note: You can learn about Pastor Murray's teachings at http://www.shepherdschapel.com/