Moreover, you shall not follow the customs of the nation which I will drive out before you, for they did all these things, and therefore I have abhorred them. . . . Thus you are to be holy to Me, for I the Lord am holy; and I have set you apart from the peoples to be Mine (Leviticus 20:23-26).
Why do I work so hard
to convince myself
I can consort with my culture
and remain faithful to God?
Why do I rationalize
the Holy One's commandment
to separate myself
from the customs
and lifestyles
of those who live as though
He does not exist,
or who pay Him lip service
instead of homage?
Is it because judgment does not quickly fall
when I turn from Him?
Do I presume He allows for circumstances
that tempt me to sin,
or that I can talk Him into a compromise?
I know better than that.
Those who befriend their culture
make themselves enemies
of God,*
and His patience
is not evidence
of His compromise,
allowance,
or indecision . . . .
It is evidence of His mercy
mercy that should lead me
to repentance.**
Surely, it is a fearful thing
to fall into the hands
of the living God.***
* James 4:4
** Romans 2:4
*** Hebrews 10:31
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