Choklit Blog #82: The Difference

       I’m a huge fan of music. I listen to a LOT of music. I grew up with music playing in my house basically all the time, I learned to play like five different instruments (which I then forgot how to play), and as a kid, I wanted to be a singer when I grew up. I really really like music.

       When I was about 13, I started buying CDs all the time. I probably spent most of my time and money on music. Every time a band I liked released a new album, I had to have it that day. I also had to buy all of their older albums, which sometimes meant ordering online and paying extra. I didn’t care, though, as long as I got every CD by every band I liked.

       Of course, I never got EVERY CD I wanted, but I ended up buying about 50 CDs over the next three or four years. Somewhere around 2010, I realized that I was slowly but surely falling away from my love of music and becoming a fangirl. I was buying CDs I didn’t even like that much just because I liked the band that made them.

       Once I realized this, I started thinking about the time I bought Thousand Foot Krutch’s “The Flame In All Of Us” and Hawk Nelson’s “Smile, It’s The End of The World.” I listened to those albums constantly for months, and I loved them. But no matter how hard I tried, I could no longer find a CD that I still completely loved three months after I bought it. Then I discovered the band Anthem Lights.

       My friend Joy texted me one day and mentioned them. I had never heard of them, so I immediately looked them up. They seemed like nice people and some of their songs were catchy, but I thought their music wasn’t really my style and I would never be a huge fan. They would be releasing their debut album in a few months (they had released an indie album under the name Yellow Cavalier, but I didn’t know that at the time), and they had a few songs on their website. I kind of liked them, so I was interested to see if the album would be any good.

       I ended up buying the album a few days after it came out, but I knew it would be another mediocre attempt at making something “popular.” I was so, so wrong. I liked the album. I listened to it again, and I liked it even more. It didn’t take me long to realize that there was something different about these guys. They didn’t just copy the typical “Christian band with four guys” sound- they have their own style and some seriously crazy talent. On top of that, they have passion that’s so obvious, and you won’t find any shallow lyrics on their record. I can’t even explain it, but it’s one of those albums that you listen to, and it just feels good.

       Simply put, I’m a fan of Anthem Lights, not because they’re like all the other bands, but because they’re different.

       Too often in “Christian society,” we say that we have to be more like people who aren’t Christians, because then they’ll realize that we’re all super cool and they’ll want to be just like us. We become God’s little fangirls and fanboys, walking around saying, “Hey, I’m a Christian and it’s really fun! You should be a Christian, too, and you can keep doing all the stuff you’re already doing!” We think people will be more likely to accept Jesus if we tell them they won’t have to give up anything.

       In that case, we’re trying to sell people a fancy title, not showing them actual salvation. In fact, we’re cheating ourselves out of God’s plans for us. It’s like listening to your favorite band’s terrible new album and telling everyone else to do the same when you could be falling in love with something completely new and different, and a million times better. People aren't looking for more of the same. They want something different- something better.

       God can use us to reach people, but we have to be willing to follow Him instead of trying to be as much like the world as possible. “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will.” (Romans 12:2, NIV). FYI: You can’t change anyone’s heart. Only God can.

       If you try to be just like everyone else, then you’ll end up being like everyone else. If you want to reach the lost, then let them see the difference.

Choklit Blog #81: Social Sins

       During my life as a Christian, I’ve found out that sometimes when Christians don’t like something, they call it a sin. I’m sure everyone has heard that Christians don’t drink, because consuming alcohol is a sin. Well, the Bible definitely doesn’t condone getting drunk: “... nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.” (1 Corinthians 6:10, NKJV.) However, in some cases, alcohol is not a horrible thing that will send you straight to hell: “No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for your stomach’s sake and your frequent infirmities.” (1 Timothy 5:23, NKJV.) Not only is it not a sin to consume alcohol, but Paul actually told Timothy to drink it for health purposes. It becomes sin when you become a drunk.

       Christians will also tell you that cussing is a sin. They’ll most likely reference Colossians 3:8, “But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth.” (NKJV.) If those same people read the King James Version of the Bible, they’ll find seventy-six verses containing the word “ass,” not including those that contain the plural form of the word. 

       Just like the drinking issue, I’m not saying it’s ok to go curse out everyone you know... I’m saying that “filthy language” doesn’t necessarily mean “the top 10 cuss words,” some of which have legitimate, non-filthy meanings and are used in the Bible. It could mean making a dirty joke, or saying something hateful about someone. I mean, what do you think sounds more “filthy”? “Thou shalt not plow with an ox and an ass together,” (Deuteronomy 22:10, KJV) or, “I hate you and wish you would die a slow and painful death!” Again, I’m not saying you should go swear now- “cuss words” usually aren’t used constructively or in the correct context, and they usually offend people. But you don’t have to think it’s a sin to say words like “damn” or “hell” in the proper context.

       Things like drinking and cussing are what I like to call “social sins.” They’re socially unacceptable in most Christian environments, so they’re labelled as “sins.” People become so afraid of alcohol that they won’t even drink it for health purposes. People become so afraid of saying a “cuss word” that they feel bad for reading aloud from the King James Bible, or they abruptly pause before awkwardly saying, “um... uh... donkey.”

       Unfortunately, there’s another type of “social sins.” These are things that the Bible says not to do, but many Christians do them anyway because they’re socially acceptable.

       I think the best example of this can be found in Exodus 20:7, “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.” According to the dictionary on my computer (I don’t feel like getting out my “real” dictionary, sorry), to take someone’s name in vain means to use that name in a way that shows a lack of respect; irreverently, casually, disrespectfully, or flippantly. Correct me if I’m wrong, but I think that using God’s name as an interjection would definitely qualify as irreverent or casual. Yet, even at church, where you can’t say “cuss words,” I hear people say, “Oh my G*d!” like it’s nothing. FYI: That’s actually a sin. It’s one of the ten commandments.

       Do yourself a favor and don’t get caught up in the rules of “social sins.” Follow the example of the Bereans: “These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.” (Acts 17:11, NKJV.) If you want the truth, read the Bible- it’s all in there.