(First published as "Fifty Years Ago - How We've Changed!; Baptist Bulletin; July/August 1988 issue.)

Recently I was listening to a radio program that was centered on music of the 1930's. The announcer mentioned that when this music was popular, a new refrigerator was selling for $89.50, and one of those new toasters was only 89 cents.

A lot has changed over the years, we must admit - styles, transportation, attitudes, politics and a mir'ad of other things.

We question the wisdom of some of those changes, and rightly so. Some of those $89 refrigerators are still running and many of the $200 - 300, "better models" are rusting away in the refuse piles of America.

The changes in moral and political areas certainly are questionable. Yes, the church has changed, and that is what this artticle is about. Some church changes in recent years have produced glowing results. Others - well let us consider for a few moments.

In days gone by our forefathers viewed Christian service as a life-giving commitment.

Today we view Christian Service as a life-fullfilling commitment.

In days gone by, our forefathers viewed their lives as totally committed to their Lord.

Today we view Christian Service as a life committed to our Lord as long as we can do it in eight hours a day with 30 days vacation and a home of our own.

In days gone by, our forefathers viewed their belongings as a gift from their loving Father.

Today we view our belongings as our accomplishment and sustanance.

In days gone by, our forefathers viewed their entire being devoted to spreading the Gospel.

Today we view our entire being as our business and usable as we see fit.

TELL ME. HOW DO THE FOLLOWING TEXTS RELATE TO THE CHURCH IN AMERICA TODAY?

"Take up the cross and follow me." Mark 10:21

"Present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service." Rom 12:1

"As the sufferings of Christ abound in us...." II Cor 1:5

"Let us run with patience the race that is set before us," Heb 12:1

Are we really running God's race for our lives, or are we running a race that WE have set before us?

Some may say these statements are much too sharp and critical. Yes,they are sharp, yet meant to be critical in a positive sense!

We in America have been playing church long enough, and it is time to look at ourselves in light of the Word and not in light of the world. A serious look at the church today, be it the liberal, evangelical or fundamental, will show many inroads of the world into the church.

NO? Then consider the high divorce rate in the church! Yes, we need to minister to those hurting folks that have ended their marriages, but we also must give the remainder of our congregations proper views of marriage so that the divorce rate in the church will drop to past levels if not lower.

NO? Have you polled the television viewing habits of the congregations lately? A very safe estimation is that the world is in the home many more hours than the Word!

NO? Which wins out the Super Bowl or the Sunday fellowship dinner? Maybe they just bring their portable to church so they can watch it there.

NO? Materialism wouldn't possibly have anything to do with declining church budgets and missions contributions, but possibly the need for more things is involved.

NO? Well maybe some might be inclined to admit hopefully at this point that, yes, the world is affecting us as Christians.

The problem is not that the Church has changed nor is it that the world has more influence in the Latter Days. The problem is that we the people are allowing the things of the world to influence our thinking.

God desires living sacrifices! A pastor recently made a statement in a sermon that is classic! I do not know if it was original with him or not but I would like to share it at this point. In relation to Romans 1:1,2 which mentions, "...present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, Which is your reasonable service." The pastor said, "The problem with living sacrifices is that they keep getting down off the altar!" Now that has a ring of truth that can be heard the world over today!

Someone might well suggest that the Lord install escalators -- you know how tiring it is getting up and down. Somewhat similar to our NEED for a remote control on the TV, VCR, Stereo and garage door, isn't it. I was recently shopping in a department store with my wife. I had seen a very "NEAT" stereo that I wanted to show her. I told her, "I want you to come over here to see the stereo that I need to buy." Her immediate reply was, "NEED?" And I said, "Yes, I need it to satisfy my coveteousness!"

A recent visualized song depicting Matt. 6:33 ("But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.") which is in a context of God providing needs of life, shows the usual needs of life around the edges and in the middle a bright shiny new bicycle! Our needs today are very much centered on our wants and not the necessities of life!

While in Bible College, television repair was our means of support. One day after delivering a Television set to a woman that was super immaculate, I glanced back toward the house. There, in full view through the picture window, she was on her hands and knees inspecting the floor to see if we had scratched it. I was immediately reminded of pagans that bow down to wooden idols.

We won't discuss the first scratch on that new car a number of years ago!

May God challenge us to consider our NEEDS vs DESIRES as we enter the market place.

May God challenge us to consider our LEADING vs CHOICE as we enter the thought life.

May God challenge us to consider our MINISTRY vs PAY PACKAGE as we enter the work place.

May God challenge us to consider setting our "affection on things above, not on things on the earth."