This year we are going to be asking our readers some tough questions. They are not complicated so much as they are just hard questions to hear. Hard to hear because we already know the answer and we don't want to speak it because it names the beast we are trying to hide.
First Question:
Is that TV show that you watch so religiously helping you discover Jesus in more intimate ways?
What the above question did not ask that people usually give as an answer when they hear it:
- Does that show make you a better person?
- Does that show open your mind up to a wider culture?
- Does that show make you feel good about yourself?
- Does that show keep you in touch with reality?
The question was clear, but the answer we are used to getting is, "That show has changed my life and I see people differently than I used to." or, "That show is so good and soooooo true to life.", or (and this is my least favorite), "God has a sense of humor too."
Just answer the question!
When you watch that show, is it drawing you closer to the person of Jesus Christ or is it just drawing you into some other place altogether?
Next question:
Does that music glorify (exalt, magnify, lift up, and show how God alone is worthy to be praised and adored) your God?
What the above question did not ask that people usually give as an answer when they hear it:
- Is that artist (s) talented?
- Do you want to be a singer when you grow up?
- Do you think music can be evil in and of itself?
- Is that music better that church music?
Again, the question is clear, but here are some of the answers I'm used to getting: "Oh, I only listen to the music part cuz it's soooo good and I don't sing the cuss words or the parts about sex." or, "I really like hip-hop though." or, "Music is just music. You can use a gun to hunt with or you can kill somebody. A gun is not evil all by itself." or, "But Christian music is so boring and old-sounding."
Again, JUST ANSWER THE QUESTION!
Does that music paint a picture of a big, good, lovely, powerful, strong, holy, just, merciful, forgiving, majestic, vengeful, benevolent God or does it glorify something else?
The Beautiful Truth:
When we are actually able to come to a level of spiritual maturity that enables us to honestly speak the obvious answers to these questions and others like them, we will find freedom from the tyranny of the god's of this earth.
The status quot will whither and die as our hearts become fashioned into the image of the Holy One.
Pop culture will lose its luster as our eyes become fixed on the author and finisher of our faith, the One who bled and laid down His life for us all.
Hollywood, Nashville, New York, L.A. Miami, Detroit and all the movers and shakers that orchestrate the MTV lifestyle will bend their knees as they proclaim the glory of the Lord, Jesus Christ.
When we wake up to reality, Heaven will invade earth and all creation will sing, "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty."
When the sons of God appear, spiritual poles will shift and love will be our standard.
When we rise to take up arms against the darkness rather than encouraging the darkness to proceed by our continued financial and vocal support of industries that seeks only to consume us, the merchants of death will die and be reborn as shining stars in love with the Son.
When we, we who slumber, self medicated with poison, turn our own hearts to the Father, the gates of Heaven will be thrust open and life will rain down on us.
...or we could just turn up the radio and pretend we heard a different question.
