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What I see in the church at large today concerns me as a pastor, as a follower of Jesus. There are subtle shifts that happen with every generation, but the shifting of the church in our generation isn't so subtle. The culture and all its pressures seem to have made itself home within the church today.
The church and its leaders seem to be so afraid today of fitting in and relating; being hip and cool; relevant to our culture. It's actually a complement today to say that the church is the coolest one in town! Really? Instead of the church turning the world upside down, I'm concerned that the world is turning the church upside down!
I'm not saying that we become stale, boring, and irrelevant to the culture; of course not. To make the Bible boring should be a crime. It's not boring or stale to study the life-giving truths God has handed down to every generation. Introducing someone to Jesus is exciting, exhilarating and relevant! I am saying that human efforts can never replace the reality of the Holy Spirit in our lives. The Holy Spirit keeps things real and relevant.
Be careful, friend, that you're not preoccupied with being relevant. Watch out that you're not so busy trying to be relevant that you distort the reality of Jesus and His forgiveness of sins. I assure you, Jesus is relevant to every generation! The Bible is living and powerful. All you need to do is open it. You don't have to fit in; all you have to do is abide in Jesus. He'll do the fitting in for you.
Loving Jesus,
Pastor Ed
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Aurora, CO 80013