So Manasseh caused Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to stray so that they did worse evil than the nations the LORD had destroyed before the Israelites. – 2 Chronicles 33:9
Under the leadership of Manasseh, the Judeans became more wicked than they had ever been before (quite a statement). The list of their sinful practices included: idolatry, worship of celestial bodies, consulting the dead, and child sacrifice. It was so bad, in fact, that the biblical record states they did worse evil than the Canaanites who God had Israel destroy and replace!
The church is the Body of Christ and it exists to bring glory to the Father … to be an agent of transformation around the world. The light of truth in us should dispel the darkness of paganism that surrounds us. This reflected light is sometimes subtle and sometimes bold, but it is always present and the evidence of its presence is transformation.
The question on my mind is this, “Who is transforming who?” Is my local faith community more like Christ because of me? Is my family? Is my world? Am I making a difference? If so, what kind of difference am I making?
If a church will not be Christ’s body, then perhaps it just should not be.
There is no power on earth that can neutralize the influence of a high, simple and useful life. – Booker T. Washington
