This generation is the least disciplined in our nation’s history. Personal responsibility is downplayed on every level. Accountability for one’s actions is seldom taken seriously, or even mentioned. Dishonesty gets a pass, and is seldom challenged. The deafening silence from the pulpit regarding man’s accountability to God has filtered its way down into our culture....
A professor at a "Christian University" recently guesstimated that 80-90% of both students and faculty drink alcohol regularly. Freedom to imbibe is now mainstream. Soberness, both spiritual and physical, were earmarks of the faithful in the not-too-distant past. But now the lines are so blurred that the obvious must be stated, and re-stated.
I once heard Bill McLeod say, “The favorite indoor sport of Christians is judging and criticizing.” But evil speaking is strictly forbidden by Scripture. “Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law” (James 4:11). The crux of God’s law is loving the Lord and loving people. When you speak evil of your neighbor, you are breaking the law of God which is the law of love. Evil speaking in this context is paramount to slander.
The Missing Ingredient in America’s Search for Renewal J.L. Dagg, well-known nineteenth century author, noted, “It has been remarked, that when discipline leaves a church, Christ goes with it.” The deplorably low state of Christianity in America is traceable to the absence of accountability. The pastor of a large church, 2,000 in attendance, informed the church leadership that one of the church leaders