For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. (Romans 8:5-10 ESV)

My spiritual youth and adolescence were during the days of the American Family Association, Moral Majority, Christian Coalition etc. Social action was all about boycotting Disney for strong pro-gay practices, Proctor and Gamble for satanic symbols, boycott Hidden Valley Ranch and AT&T the major networks and New York City and oh well just boycott everyone unless they wear a cross. There were some ministries with radio broadcasts that had NOTHING good to say about anything as far as I could tell.

Then Focus on the Family had the audacity to give a positive review of a Phil Collins album and the anger spewed forth. How could they endorse the music of a divorced unbeliever? To Focus On the Family’s credit they gave a very solid explanation. If Phil Collins (or other musicians) are talented in what they do why can’t we appreciate their talent and even learn something from them. They were not afraid to tell you to avoid other artists whose message and lifestyle were blatantly immoral, but they did not advocate a Christian only mentality. Would we boycott Michael Jordan also? Stop letting your kids watch him play basketball if he Is not a Christian is how that logic should have played out. Unless of course you want to pick and choose which industries and stars are legitimate targets. Sure I can give up ranch dressing and long distance service but don’t ask me to give up watching the NBA. Seems we would be selective in boycotts as long as it was not too close to home.

Here is my personal rabbit trail rant. I love the music of Kansas, Yes, Rush, early Genesis etc. (Thank you Pandora that while typing up this rough draft I have heard Kansas, Rush, Yes, King Crimson and early Genesis) Yet I see very few “Christian” musicians writing with that type of talent and creativity. Must I abandon them for three chord, capo the seventh fret worship songs? Thank you Sovereign Grace, Getty Music and many others for solid creative worship music by the way.

Here is where my conflict started. We did not like politicians for their unchristian beliefs and practices. We did not like unchristian advertisers, filmmakers, actors, businessmen, public school, higher education teachers etc. for the same reason. How can an unbeliever teach my child how to spell and add? How can I wash my clothes with a detergent made by a non-Christian manufacturer? They need to start acting more like us moral Christians. Then I realized it. Just look at Romans 8. For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. (emphasis mine) They CAN’T act like good moral Christians. To live as a Christian takes the presence of the Holy Spirit, and by their/our definition as non-Christian they have no Holy Spirit therefore cannot live out Christian values.

Now I am also a firm believer in common grace. That God does give grace to others outside the fold by giving businessmen wise economic sense, doctors healing abilities, teachers with a love for children (even if they don’t love Jesus)

Meanwhile back at the church. Gay marriage is being affirmed. There are pastors in my town wanting to be chaplains for Planned Parenthood because they see abortion as a viable option. How can we demand non-Christian industries and leaders and politicians to act like Christians when church goers don’t act like Christians?

So maybe instead of demanding that Hollywood and Wall Street and Washington D.C would start acting like Christians we start demanding our Pastors, elders, and those who claim membership in a Christian church to start acting like Christians. After all, the motivation and ability to do so comes from the Holy Spirit. And only those in Christ have the Holy Spirit so therefore they are the only ones capable.

I also believe the church has the right and responsibility to be a moral voice in the culture. I believe we need to speak up to defend the sanctity of life for all, to stop the horrors of abortion and human trafficking. We have a right to call our politicians and business leaders to act with integrity and honesty looking out for the good of the people. We can call those who influence our culture (actors, athletes and the like) to remember the power they have and use t wisely for the common good.

We also have to stop being surprised and angry when unchristian people act like unchristian people. We definitely have to stop demanding unbelievers to act in ways we as Christians don’t always act.

I have seen non believing husbands love their wives and children better than some Christians. I have seen my friends and neighbors who are not church goers serve more sacrificially and generously than some Christians.

DISCLAIMER: I have seen many, many Christians, love, serve, and live a Christ like life. My concern here is the seemingly inordinate amount of energy the church has spent trying to get non-members to act like good church people while many in the church are biblically illiterate and it shows in their lives.

At the end of the day I really do not care what color cup my coffee comes in. What I do care about is the taste of the coffee brewed by a skilled barista. I’m not really worried if my cashier says Merry Christmas, God Bless you or have a nice day. I don’t think they are evil Jesus haters. It’s just not their nature and they don’t really care. Did they charge me right and give me the correct change? Did I get a good product at a fair price? If so we’re good. Does my doctor pray before my examination? I don’t know but I do hope he scrubbed his hands and knows what he is doing.

Do I hope for a chance to share the gospel? Do I hope they become a believer? Absolutely. But I am not going to insist they act like a Christian until they become a Christian.

Instead of all the energy spent on trying to get the world to act like the church, maybe we should expect the church to act like the church. Let’s have the church love and serve its neighbors, share the gospel and then disciple those new believers to be shaped into the image of Christ.