Set Apart and Useful
A few months ago, we received an email concerning a show that one of the networks was about to air. It was (written by an
unsaved man) about a dysfunctional Christian family, with an adulterous pastor and a very distorted personage of Jesus. The
email was asking Christians to contact the network to express our outrage that the church and our Lord were being so
misrepresented.
Initially, I was as upset as everyone else, and thought, “Here we go again, another attack against Christians.” Then the Lord
started working on me. I recalled a preacher saying from the pulpit, “Why are we Christians so surprised when the lost act lost?”
I also realized that the “worldly maladies” of this cast were things that all of us have seen in the church. Was this program really
a misrepresentation, or was this the unsaved writer’s perspective? 1 Corinthians 12:27 tells us that we are, “the body of Christ”,
and 2 Corinthians 5:20, “we are ambassadors for Christ”. If the representatives of Christ are presenting a warped picture of
themselves to the world, we can see how the lost might (sadly) develop a distorted picture of Jesus, Himself.
Signing petitions and protesting are fine activities when God moves upon our hearts to do so. But I really believe the Lord has
been telling us that we have a crucial [or at least more constant] responsibility in our Christian life. “…if My people who are called
by My Name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven
and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” (2 Chron. 7:14)
“Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: ‘The Lord knows those who are His,’ and, ‘Let everyone who
names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.’ But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of
wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel
for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.” (2 Tim. 2:19-21) These scriptures are not talking
about the “lost”, they are referring to God’s people…US! It is more important for us to consistently walk with God than to rail on
media that depicts a cynical world view of Christianity.
Could it be that we were so outraged by that television show because it was mimicking some of the darkness that goes on in
God’s church? (Let’s pray it doesn’t reach the point where He has to use a donkey to get our attention.) I don’t want to be like
one of the Pharisees who were ready to stone a woman to death who had been caught in adultery. They asked Jesus’ opinion
on the matter, and He said, “…He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.” (John 8:7) Verse 9 tells us,
“Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one…” Jesus brought awareness to the problem,
offered a solution to the situation and forgave. [And he did it while drawing pictures in the sand with His finger – he didn’t even
look up. Now THAT”S walking with God!]
Where is the good news in all of this? Let’s refer back to 2 Chronicles 7:14. God promises that if we will: 1) Humble ourselves,
by finding out what God’s Word says what to do. 2) Pray and seek His face on about the details (how, where, when, etc.), then do
what He says to do. 3) Turn from our wicked ways, calling upon God’s Grace and His power together with our will to overcome
every evil tendency. In response to our obedience, He will 1) hear from Heaven 2) forgive our sin, and 3) heal our land. That’s
good. . . Very good! In 2 Timothy 2: 19-21, God says that if we will cleanse ourselves from dishonor [common, menial use] then
we will be honorable [uncommon, exceptional use] vessels, set apart from the world and set apart and useful unto the Lord,
prepared for EVERY good work. Hallelujah!
We sincerely love you in the Anointed One and His Anointing,
Gregory & Linda Emler
