Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. ~2 Corinthians 5:17

In the last century, salvation has been watered down to a simple “pray-this-prayer-and-you’re-saved” technique. Gone are the days of repentance and forsaking sin. Now you can have Christ and your sin too. This is not the gospel, however. Everyone wants a free pass to escape Hell, but if it means giving up pleasure, that’s another story.

I have been burdened for the Church for a long time now, and that burden is growing greater as time goes on. Every year, more Christian leaders are found to be living double lives, and it’s trickling down to congregants who see no need to practice self-denial since they can fulfill their desires and ask forgiveness later. But Jesus did not die so that we can live like we please. He died to cleanse us from our sins and grant us eternal life with Him, but this does not change the fact that sin cannot dwell in His presence.

My grandparents used to sing:

Oh, don’t look for me to go where I used to go before
I don’t go there anymore; I found a better way
Oh, don’t look for me to say the things I used to say before
I don’t say them anymore; I found a better way

I would like to see more Believers find this better way. We’ve fought so hard to not be different that people can no longer say, “These who have turned the world upside down have come here too” (Acts 17:6). Instead, I can see why Jesus asked, “When the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:8). My prayer is increasingly becoming, “Lord, send revival and let it begin with me. Help me to live that better way.”