This is the second blog in my series, The Jude Appeal; written with the hope that we will be a renewed generation of Christians who turn their hearts to pen stories with God!
Jude’s second appeal is to remember and see.
Remember.
“Though you already know all this, I want to remind you that the Lord delivered His people out of Egypt, but later destroyed those who did not believe. And the angels who did not keep their positions of authority but abandoned their proper dwelling—these He has kept in darkness, bound with everlasting chains for judgment on the great Day. In a similar way, Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding towns gave themselves up to sexual immorality and perversion. They serve as an example of those who suffer the punishment of eternal fire.” (Jude vss. 5-7)
Remember what happened before our time. Remember those who did not believe, who abandoned the Lord in pride, who gave themselves to sin – and their outcome! Sin destroys.
Yet, we also must see.
“These people are blemishes at your love feasts, eating with you without the slightest qualm—shepherds who feed only themselves. They are clouds without rain, blown along by the wind; autumn trees, without fruit and uprooted—twice dead. They are wild waves of the sea, foaming up their shame; wandering stars, for whom blackest darkness has been reserved forever.” (Jude vs. 12-13)
There are people secretly slipping in among Christians and introducing false standards of faith and good storytelling. If we fail to see what they are doing, and fail remember what the outcome of such atrocities are, then we will fail to DO anything about it!
Books that are marked as Christian or are popular among Christian circles are regarded as being acceptable. Part of the standard.
Yet, what I see is books full of evil, promoting abominations to the Lord, and employing deceitful twists (whether in theme, character, or world building) making their way to poularity and even defining the standard of good storytelling in Christian fiction.
My friends, remember! What will come of this? The faith of some will be destroyed. The hope of others will be blighted. The glory of the name of our only Sovereign will be defamed among men.
Perhaps you don’t see what I see. Perhaps you haven’t stopped to remember things long past. Mayhap you don’t believe that there are such evil books being accepted by Christians.
I encourage you to do what the Lord told the Israelites in Jeremiah 6:16. “This is what the LORD says, ‘Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.’ But you said, ‘We will not walk in it.’”
I ask you, truly look. Do you see sexual immorality, idolatry, witchcraft, sorcery, greed, obscene language, coarse joking, malice, or any other kind of sin being accepted in Christian literature?
I’m not talking about mentions or portrayals that clearly show sin as sin, keep it in perspective of God’s holiness, and honor the readers’ innocence. I’m talking about books that accept these things as natural, good, or awesome.
Truly look. And truly remember, by looking in the Bible and reading about such things. What does God think? What is the outcome of such tolerance?
If we have been deceived, the Word of God and the Holy Spirit will enlighten us. And when we are, eyes opened, looking at the truth, will we make a change before destruction comes?
Remember and see!
One Comment
A wonderful reminder for all aspiring Christian writers! Thank you, Alyson, and God bless you for being so bold!