“God, I thank you that I am not one of those Carnal Christians. I see them all around, the compromisers, CCM artists and other people so desperate to be liked by nonbelievers that they throw out good moral standards of dress and behavior and dive headfirst into everything the world offers. They’re much too worldly, giving into temptations of the eyes, with their lack of discernment, tattoos, drinking, rock music and indulgences in TV, movies and video games.
“But I recognize that Christians are meant to counter the culture in every way they can. So I don’t have a TV, or any book I didn’t safely purchase at a Christian bookstore. I don’t drink or play video games. I listen only to hymns because they are solid. I do all I can to keep pure.”
“God, I thank you that I am not a Hardline Legalist, like so many Christians (including that really bad church of my childhood). Trying to avoid anything that looks wrong, they act like Pharisees who clung to the Law and don’t see that you only came to teach about love. They live according to rules they make up, and as a result they turn people away from you. They don’t realize we’re meant to live in culture.
“By contrast, you helped me become aware of that danger and see that your goal was to make me free. So, knowing I made a choice and I’m safe, I’m able to watch TV and go to any movie I want. I listen to any music and don’t worry about all that discernment. My only ‘law’ is liberty!”
“But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me, a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified, rather than the other. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
Jesus Christ, Luke 18: 13-14
Wow. Both of these prayers sound very familiar.