Initially you might think I’m doing a feature by feature blog about
personal computers. Typically that would
be between the trendy-cultish Apple Mac people versus the Microsoft driven
various brands of white-collar-rule-keeping-non-Mac-PC-users. But that’s not what I’m writing about.
Several days ago I had this thought regarding the all too common informal
term PC or politically correct, that has come to mean; inoffensive,
nondiscriminatory, unbiased, neutral, appropriate, and nonpartisan language. And frankly I’m exhausted by this inane
mantra parlayed by the media, politicians, Hollywood, left wing and right wing nuts
and lastly and most sadly, the church.
Oh not the true Church. You know
the one that seems overshadowed by the modern PC church of popularity, entertainment
and cash flow. So relax if you believe
yourself to be part of the true Church.
You can stand on the sidelines and watch the fray swell regarding this
subject. But please be slow to take up
sides, especially when basing it upon one’s own righteousness.
When the thought came of PC vs. PC; this was my grist for the
mill. Politically correct versus being Pneumatically
correct – or Spirit correct.
Now granted I truly hate, hate speech.
I was never a name caller nor was my family. As a matter of fact, I would have been summarily
spanked with a belt by my father if I was ever found to be a person of that vernacular. My dad spent all his adult life championing
the cause of the underdog. Be it any minority
of color, lifestyle, or economic disparity – he had a heart for the oppressed
of our society and the world. All driven
by a divine compassion and love for people.
So any mean spirited or derisive epithets were NEVER used, promoted, or tolerated
in my upbringing. Thereby shaping my
mind, heart and behavior – I don’t name call.
But what I have realized especially recently is a dire and ceaseless juggernaut
of culture and religion that will not put up with Truth. For the lie we are being sold is this: all
things are relative, to included truth and a person’s view on anything,
anytime, and anywhere. Ergo the burgeoning
and stifling PC police so prevalent today.
Even within our pulpits and pews.
Jesus came into the world to clearly define Truth over lies. And from the Genesis garden narrative to this
very day, we are at odds within ourselves, with all of creation, and clearly with
other humans who are juxtaposed between light and dark. And this battle is in full swing over the solid
and sacred ground of Truth, versus the alluring and popular specter of unending
lies.
PC vs. PC is all about the present and continuing battle between our propensities
to fall towards being politically correct versus being Pneumatically correct – or
as the Bible calls it being Spirit led; i.e. Spirit correct.
Being Pneumatically correct will ALWAYS and ever mean that we speak the
Truth in Love (the primary goal for the work done by the 5 fold ministry office
and the pinnacle of all Christian maturity); regardless of the lions or the possible
losses we may suffer.
Being Pneumatically correct is ALWAYS about being in agreement with
God. Yet we live in a church age where
too many will pick and choose what they like or don’t like about God and His
Word. All on the basis of their idea of
Christian liberty, or the basis that they just don’t like what God has to say,
or how it may cause others to feel about them (the person called to cite God’s
Word and not themselves or their own opinions).
Far too often we are worried about what people think, and how it makes
us feel, or god forbid and worse yet causes us to be ostracized from our circles
of acquaintance. All the while claiming “we
don’t want people to get the wrong idea about God.” When in fact our fear is what silences the only
Truth able to save a lost and dying world.
When altars were removed from many evangelical churches some 20 years
ago, and pop culture, psychology, step programs, feel-good short sermons, and
that café feel was added to our houses of worship, plus the best of religious entertainment
in word and song – that my friends became the standard for a western, Christian
church, business model – and we got the glory for getting the crowds. But we lost the life giving presence found
only through heartfelt and honest soli deo Gloria! Who gets the glory these days?
We became PC to the world around us by giving up the Spirit and the
Word. We are at a grave loss if we have abandoned
our practice of being Pneumatically correct; and supplanted it for being
politically correct. Is anyone up for a seeker
sensitive latté and some new smoke, mirrors and lights instead of the weight of
the Spirit?
This thought is deep within me, for I know if we do not stem the tide
and watershed of weak pulpits and pews – the Spirit may not strive to be with
us. And because I’ve seen in my own life,
and in the lives of other believers, a progressive loosening of once held core
values, a decline in true and biblical faith, vision and even holy ideals – I am
deeply grieved and once again on my face in repentance before God for myself
and His Church.
The shrinking and easing of church membership “requirements” are a
small and lesser seen PC vs. PC conflict, but nonetheless real. And years ago there was a committee within
our fellowship that took great pains and labor to maintain “doctrinal purity” for
our ranks, yet their influence seems lesser and lesser – if they still even exist.
And don’t get me started about the broad confluence and brush stroke of
“Christian” authors who ignorantly or otherwise have eliminate a proper and Pneumatic
use of Bible exegesis, all in the name of book sales. And worse yet this deluge of “Christian”
literature being consumed these days, have all but neutered our ability and our
will, to doggedly mine the true gold of God’s Word and His Spirit’s Wisdom
through personal prayer and study of the scriptures. Oh for the clarity of a Berean call, practice,
and tenacity to study and prefer the Scriptures and the Spirit, over the
popular velvet-tonged ear-ticklers coursing through the cardio pulmonary systems
of our churches today. Simply put, we
have an epidemic of spiritual heart disease and head disease, and they seem to
be accepted maladies among us.
I must end my thoughts for now, but may God have mercy upon us beyond
what He has already given on the cross through His Son. And may we together (emphasis on TOGETHER),
stand our ground in the final hours of this eternal battle – PC vs. PC.
May the Spirit of Truth prevail in us!
