Scripture for the Week. - You know what I find particularly disturbing?
Christians willingly wrapped in death rags.
Death rags. Grave Clothes. Linens soaked with putrefied flesh.
When Christ raised Lazarus from the dead, He said,
"Take off the grave clothes and let him go." (John 11:44 NIV)
I've had occasion for the last week to be up late into the night. This past Saturday night I flipped on the television.
The local "Christian" television station came into focus and I had a problem. My eyes had trouble agreeing with my ears. It's probably a guy thing.
A "Christian Music Video" danced and strutted and crooned across the small TV screen. At first my eyes led me to believe I was somehow on a secular music video channel but when my brain doubled checked with my ears I recognized a "Christian" song from the radio.
The female singer was beautiful with her flashy earrings, wonderfully painted face, and skin tight jeans. She strutted her stuff as the worldly saying goes. It didn't help my male mind that the video was filmed with a seductive element I've typically only witnessed in secular music videos.
My eyes and ears just couldn't agree with that video and I finally realized why when my nose chimed in, it was the grave clothes.
This wonderfully talented woman with her Godly gift had somehow allowed herself to be clothed once again in the death rags from which Christ has released us through His death and resurrection.
A one time video I thought.
The video over, the screen flipped to some young Christian women discussing what true beauty was in a female. The quick conclusion was "inner beauty." I'm not going to argue with that, but it just didn't jibe with the music video I just witnessed.
And it didn't jibe with the next video, another song I recognized by ear but not by sight. I didn't ogle the entire video but I got enough to be reminded of the world's popular country songstress Ms. Twain with her slinky outfits, come-hither looks, and even more come-hither walk.
After coming back a few minutes later the next video wasn't quite as bad, though again there was this seductive quality to the filming of the video that troubled me.
The music of each of these female Christian artists is what I would consider pleasing works for the Lord, but why clothe the songs in the grave clothes? Why clothe those songs in worldly perishable garments? Why appeal to the flesh?
This is a particular problem I am witnessing more and more in the Christian entertainment world and it troubles me.
I'm not condemning these women. But I hope to remind that we are called to be separate from the world and I think the so called Christian entertainment industry has found it more attractive to be like the world when it comes to being seen.
Imperfect yet as I am, I too need to be reminded of that from time to time. Thankfully we Christians bow down before God the Father who's goal is redemption and restoration found only through the blood of His Son, Jesus Christ.
And when Christ returns for His bride, let us not be found wearing the clothes in which we were buried.
The Great Separation continues.
