Modern Disciple Magazine for Men (MDM4M), published in Canada
JUNE / JULY 2004
Cover |
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One-On-One with Jeff Frankenstein |
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Socially Acceptable Sin
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The Music of Duvall
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More Than Accountability
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God in the Wild
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The Pond or the Power
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Surrender
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LifeLine
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Viva III
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Glutony - The "Socially Acceptable" Sin, page 2
It seems that anytime Christians get together for "fellowship" it
almost always revolves around food. You know the drill. You and
some folks from Church set a time and place and everyone "brings a
dish". Or perhaps you all go out for a nice lunch after Church at
a local restaurant. The outcome is too predictable - everyone
ends up eating way too much food - most of which is fattening and
unhealthy. I must admit I've never been to "fellowship" where the
meal consisted of broiled fish, salad, and veggies.
And of course you can't skip dessert! No matter how stuffed you
may feel... there's always room for dessert, isn't there? Or is
there?
1 Corinthians 6:19-20, "What? know ye not
that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you,
which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20 For ye are bought
with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your
spirit, which are God's".
As Christians we should be fitter, more energetic and all around
healthier than non-believers. We should be setting standards of
excellence in all areas of life, including the area of our physical
health.
So why aren't we?
It seems we are often quick to condemn others for the "really big
sins" like sexual sins, theft, or murder. But we are often unable
or unwilling to acknowledge our own sin - the sin of abusing the
physical body God has given us.
We condemn the adulterer but we don't exercise. We chastise our
child for using a curse word while we sit on our butts channel
surfing and snacking on junk foods. We gossip about our neighbor,
who got a DWI last week, while bellying up to an all-you-can-eat
buffet and gorging ourselves like hogs so we can "get our money's
worth".
We're often quick to judge others for "big sins" while glossing
over our own sin of gluttony. And as a result of this steady diet
of spiritual hypocrisy, the "Body of Christ" has become flabby,
sick and tired - an abomination in the eyes of God.
Is there really room for Jesus to dwell in you if he's competing
for space with the four plates of food you just inhaled at the
local Chinese buffet?
Tell me... whatever happened to good old fashion self discipline
and moderation?
Almost convinced : Continued --->.
