Above the Gray

What catches your eye when you look at this picture?

The red heart or the wall of gray?

If you're like most people, the color stands out above the gray.

This past spring we painted from our den, through the kitchen, into the breakfast room and out into the florida room shades of gray.


Gray is the modern, neutral color of choice. The number of color schemes that stand out above the gray is limitless. And, what really freshens and lightens up a gray room is the bright, white trim.

But gray is never a good choice when it comes to living out our purpose as followers of Christ.

We are called to be His Light in a dark world. We seek to know God, love God and obey His Word. All of which distinguishes us from the world.

We are never called to neutrality.

We are called to be holy.

We are never called to blend in.

We are called to stand out.

Gray living is what the Church has embraced - a life of comfort, complacency and mediocrity, where there's no clear defining of Truth and very little 'standing out' in the crowd.

From the stage to the pew to the bar, is there any difference?

How did we get to a place of blending in with the world?

• By allowing the graying of Truth to justify our acceptance of destructive lifestyles.

• By adopting the philosophy of a godless culture: There is no right or wrong. 

• By compromising the Truth to the point where Truth is no longer recognizable.

The authority of God's Word has been painted over with shades of gray creating a culture of chaos and confusion. How can the world know what to say No to if the Church is saying Yes to everything?

Satan's favorite color is spiritual gray.

So what can we do?

In my last blog, I wrote my views on the state of the nation from a believer's perspective and stated that the reason for our lack of influence on the culture is:

The Church's unwillingness to repent.

If the Church is going to be the change the world needs to see, then She needs to strip herself of the gray of our culture and humbly walk back into the Light of His Kingdom. 

• The Church cannot continue to compromise the Truth of God's Word. Just because someone may be offended is no reason to go gray. Jesus said, I did not come to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. (Matthew 10:34 NKJV). Jesus also says that if we love anyone more than Him, we are not not worthy of Him. (See Matt. 10:37-39)

• The Church cannot claim we are living in Truth if we continue to live in disobedience.  Jesus said, "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments" (John 14:15 ESV).

• The Church cannot continue to defend those who consistently refuse to obey Truth.  If you abide in My Word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free (John 8:31-32 NKJV).

The misconstrued Truth being spoken in many circles today is, "We just need to love everyone." Well, that's true, but the world interprets love as merely human kindness, the tolerance and acceptance of all beliefs and behaviors. That is not the cross-bearing type of love and truth Jesus lived and taught.

The Church has bought into the world's "politically correct" mindset. We have failed each other in the love department because we've ignored the truth of God's Word and therefore have confused those around us about what real love is. 

Speaking to the Church of Laodicea, Jesus says, "Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent (Revelation 3:19 NIV). 

I believe the 21st Century Church is being rebuked and disciplined. Just because we've received and believed does not mean God gives His people a pass to sin more or to remain in a sinful, destructive pattern of worldly behavior. His love, mercy, forgiveness and grace saves us from eternal punishment for our sin and separation from the Father, but His holy character defines His loved-filled discipline when we stray. We are corrected so we can enjoy the abundant life He offers here on earth. 

Sin always results in consequences; saved or not.

If an entire Body of believers, or an individual continues to live in sin and refuses to adhere to the counsel of the Word, they will receive discipline from the Lord. Consequences are designed to change bad behavior. No consequences, no change. No change, no impact. No impact, more chaos.

Sincere repentance is key to reconciling and restoring relationships. First, with our Savior and then with the Body. We are doing our spiritual leaders and the Church as a whole an injustice if loving discipline and accountability aren't common practice. But sadly, this is an area where more churches than not are afraid to tread. Accountability helps us run our race well. Discipline helps us turn away from destructive living, getting us back on track. It's for our good and His glory.

If we are to stand out above the gray, we must look, act, and live differently from the world. Our lives must "pop" like this daisy, away from the gray wall, if we want the world to see Jesus in and through us. No more blending in, indulging in the things of the world thinking we can reach the world with worldly things. Gray is weak. Gray creates confusion. No more gray, Church! 

The world is looking for those who are willing to stand above the gray. Let's step into the bright Light of Christ so He can shine through us again for His glory! 

My Pleasure,

Melanie