“Shame to Fame”

I heard this phrase “shame to fame” on a newscast the other night and it has really just been echoing in my mind ever since. The context of its use was in reference to teenage pregnancy; how in the eyes of society throughout the 1900’s it was shameful, but now it no longer is. Not only is it no longer shameful, but in some instances it is a path to fame. What does that say about us as a society?

I think the news program was a little off base in not actually speaking to the true problem – fornication. There isn’t shame in being a mother, and there shouldn’t be any shame in being a teen mother. The shame should be the fornication. That is what is wrong (I Corinthians 6:9-10). That is what is sinful. And that is where the main problem lies, sin isn’t sin anymore. Sin, as how society defines it or views it, is not what it used to be. There are certainly other things that fall into this category; homosexuality for one. Adultery could be another. These are activities that used to be shameful, but now they are not only seemingly accepted, but glorified in our society!

Twenty years ago you would be hard pressed to find any television show with any gay characters. Now it’s hard to find one without them. There is a fight in our country right now in regard to accepting gay marriage. Most Americans, upwards of 80%, are against the acceptance of gay marriage and believe that marriage should be between one man and one woman. Most of these Americans that believe that way also believe that allowing homosexual marriage would denigrate or dishonor the “sanctity” of marriage in some way. But I have to wonder how sincere that is. Perhaps many are being hypocrites without even knowing it, but many of those who oppose gay marriage are people who have defiled marriage themselves, either through adultery, unscriptural divorce, or not living according to the sanctified standards of God’s word for marriage (Colossians 3:18-19; Ephesians 5:22-33; I Peter 3:1-9).

The #1 movie at the box office this past weekend was “Hallpass”. Do you know what “hallpass” means, or how it applies to the movie? It has nothing to do with school really. This slang term means, “Permission given by your lover to fool around with another person outside your relationship.” (www.urbandictionary.com) Marriage, the sanctity and honor of it, is totally disparaged and maligned by the promotion and glorification of such ideals (Hebrews 13:4). And while you may see plenty of laughs at a show like “Hallpass”, you aren’t going to be seeing very much anger or outrage. People will more likely complain about the price of movie tickets, popcorn, or gasoline, than give a second thought to the destruction of the moral fiber of our society.

So where does that leave us as Christians? It should leave us on the outside looking in. Even if the morality becomes mainstream throughout our society, it can never be a part of the Lord’s church (I Corinthians 5). These behaviors are to be put far from us as Christians (Colossians 3:5-9; Galatians 5:16-21). But we aren’t just defiled if we practice them, but even if we are accepting of them (Romans 1:32). It is a mockery of “discipleship” and the Lord’s “church” to participate in, or condone, these very things upon which nailed our Savior to the cross (Galatians 6:7). We cannot fool ourselves into participating or condoning sin in the name of fun, entertainment, or even grace (Romans 6:1-2).

In the end, this is about truth and consequences. The truth is, that sin is still sin regardless of how society views a particular action (I John 3:4). The truth is, that ideals like a “hallpass” are deceitful and untrue (Hebrews 3:12-14). A spouse cannot give their significant other “permission” to fornicate because they don’t have that right or authority. Our relationships are governed by God, and our spouse cannot relieve us of our duties in service to God. And perhaps one of the greatest truths – Sin DOES have consequences. It always has consequences, and the “wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23). We may not think our sin hurts anybody, but the truth is… it already has. Christ died for our sin (I Corinthians 15:3), God knows our sin (Hebrews 4:13), and so EVERY time we sin it brings pain to God (Hebrews 10:29-33).

We need to make a choice and we need to commit to a strong resolve. Are we going to participate in sin, condone sin, or just look the other way in regard to sin; or are we going to courageously call sin what it is, and confidently and righteously stand opposed to it? Are we going to live to glorify sin, or are we going to live to glorify God? Are we going to sin for the cause of fame, or will we choose societies’ shameful outcast… the righteous life of discipleship? The choice is yours, and I pray you choose wisely.

By David Osteen via Texas City Gazzette March 6, 2011

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