The recent news about Planetshakers’ Youth Pastor (right), Michael Guglielmucci’s confession of his fraud and addiction to porn has brought many Christians into a shroud of disappointment and delusion.
From what I have observed more and more each day, I think this world is getting darker and darker with every passing year. It seems that we, as people are just getting more and more “sick” and evil in this present age.
My inner dialogue
Like many others, I can’t help but question myself if my all-out pursuit towards godliness is worth it.
Would it really make a difference or matter?
Why am I tiring myself for?
What good will it contribute to our world?
But God is always quick to draw me back to Him…
Honoring Him
Albeit being surrounded by darkness, I know I will still choose to honor the Lord with all that I am as compelled by His grace. Even if setting a high godly standard is tiresome, I do know that it is worth it cos He’s worth it. I love Jesus.
And personally, I believe my obedience to stand tall on His godly standards do matter. But even if it doesn’t make much of a contribution as I hope it would, at least the next generation (my future children) will.
Charging onwards
As a saying goes, “The higher you are, the harder you fall.” When we are higher, we are also an easy target for the enemy.
Therefore, it is critical that certain “check and balances” have to be learnt and to be in its proper place from the beginning to prevent any slip-ups that may proof costly like what Michael Guglielmucci has experienced.
In all honesty, I have no reservations to say that living a godly life is an insurmountable task to achieve in a lifetime. But I’m confident that God WILL provide the sustenance for us in living a godly life in order that we can be His “lighthouse” in this world.
No matter what goes on, we need to continue charging onwards.
Andrew: Inside & Insights 
Amen to that dear bro! 🙂 Ha… I’m with you on this, bro… it’s never easy… but well, the Bible promised that anyone who wants to live a godly life will be persecuted… nvm, we carry on charging forwards!
But, let’s keep fighting the good fight of the faith… greater is He who is in us than he that is in the world! *Rocky theme song*
yeuann:
Yup! Amen too! 🙂
It does make a difference… Maybe like you said, it might not be in the way we imagined… But it definitely will…
Just a little sharing… During my struggle with some Christians whom I felt really didn’t match up, I almost wanted to give up even being known as a Christian… I told GOD that I can’t match up too, didn’t want to already, can’t be bothered anymore…
But funny thing was there I was wanting to run away, to throw in the towel, and yet I was crying out to GOD, asking for salvation of some sort from falling away… Haha…
GOD is good… He really sent people (somemore specifically from other church as I’ve asked) to minister to me just by who they are… I was so encouraged by their simple obedience and love for GOD… I found strength to carry on, to come back and put in my changkul again…
GOD really used them as examples to spur me on again… So see? Godliness makes a difference, even for the sake of another Christian.
Since we know CHRIST is coming back, and godliness is HIS standard whether this world appreciates/does it or not, we must press on!
So remind me and spur me on too ah, brother 🙂
Darkness is still in the present age and people are unknowingly being deceived by the works of the devil. The more influential a Christian servant is, the more he will be attacked by the prince of this world. The crafty one knows full well what the weakness of every Christian is.
But thank God that Christ’s work on the Cross is finished -> Grace of God is bigger than any sin committed by anyone. Sometimes, humans tend to be discouraged when an influential Christian falls, but we merely overlook that he, who is just the same as us, is still a human being who sins. Yes, a fraud is a sin… but what difference does it make from a small mistake like lying? It is but another sin. Unfortunately, we miss the grace of God. Pastors fell; leaders and members got stumbled; the devil is having a party with his fellow ‘co-workers’.
“Once, having been asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, Jesus replied, ‘The kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation, nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is within you.” – Luke 17:20-21
The kingdom of God is within each and everyone of us who choose to follow Him. Each of us has a great potential and our own sphere of influence. As we continue to embrace kingdom-minded perspective, I believe the day will come when God’s glory is revealed through us.
One classic example is Joseph 🙂
‘You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.’ – Gen 50:20
Sandy & Wilson:
Thanks for adding your encouraging comments!
The Lord will build His Church and the gates of Hades will not prevail.
Pride comes before a fall. But those who humble themselves before God will receive honour. It is a subtle deception when those in high positions or church leaders have pride and do things that hurt God and other people. Let it be a warning to all who are in high positions in church and in the business world, to be humble and live in the fear of the Lord.