It’s a Crazy World

Some time ago I read a story in the Columbus Dispatch about a child-custody case in which the parents were in disagreement over their daughter’s education. The mother was insisting on home-schooling her daughter, and the father was just as insistent that the child attend public schools. My interest in the story had nothing to do with the pros and cons of home-schooling. What caught my attention was the reason the mother gave for wanting to home-school her daughter. She said, “I believe when you teach your children, you teach from the Bible.”

Claiming to be a Christian

Again, I have no quarrel with the home-school movement, nor do I have a problem with our local public school system. I feel my children received a good education in our public schools. But, as parents, we also played a significant role in their education. So, what’s the point? It seems this girl’s parents were never married. They have lived together for the past four years. The child was the result of that relationship. Still, the woman claimed to be a devout Christian.

While living an immoral life

I realize that many in our society see nothing wrong with two people living together outside of wedlock and conceiving a child in that environment, but the Bible does not condone it. It is sin. And, someone living in open sin cannot be called a “devout Christian.” Granted, I don’t know the whole story, only what I read in the paper. It is possible that this woman just acquired her faith, and as a result, kicked the father out of the house because he would not do the right thing and marry her.

Christians are called to live godly lives

At any rate, living together outside of marriage, and conceiving a child in that sinful relationship is not right. Devout Christians do not live that way, and they do not defend those who do. Christians are called to live godly lives. And, although we are not perfect, we certainly do not live in open sin while professing a devout faith. We are called to live a different life. Paul wrote to Titus that “the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world” (Titus 2:11-12). Anything less is not devout Christianity but blatant hypocrisy. Though the world seems not to know it, Christianity demands a holy life! In our crazy world, this truth has been forgotten!