Craig Clouston

 Sludge Free

October 1

You must live no longer as the Gentiles do.

Ephesians 4:17

There was no longer any friendly banter. The politicians had pulled out all

the stops, and the gloves had come off. They were running smear campaigns

and defaming each other. It didn’t matter what damage was done or that they

had stooped to new lows; they wanted to win. Character assassination was the

order of the day.

“Can you believe this?” Melodie said, laying down the newspaper. “Neither

of them is standing on godly principals. All they want is to make his opponent

look bad. I can’t, in good conscience, vote for either one of them.”

Kyle sighed. “They’re both walking in darkness. Both have consistently

voted against moral legislation. They’ve made this election about money and

who’s going to bring the economy back in line. You know, if we would honor

God’s laws, we wouldn’t be in this financial crisis. There doesn’t seem to be a

politician on the Hill that’s standing for what God wants. It’s getting so even

the lesser of two evils is totally evil!” Kyle looked toward the ceiling and voiced

his concerns. “Forgive our nation, Lord, and those of us who allowed things to

get to this point. Raise up men and women to carry the fight to Washington

and right this sinking ship. Lift us out of the darkness that has spread itself

over our nation like sludge. Amen.”

h

The New Living Translation uses the word ungodly in place of Gentiles, denot-

ing Gentiles as anyone not living a godly life.

The world is full of people seeking personal gain in a godless manner.

Among them are many of our politicians. They seek to further and empower

their party’s worldview regardless of the cost.

Paul is precise in his instruction of how we are to respond. We are to avoid

such living while trying to influence those who choose this lifestyle in a godly

manner. We may find ourselves with opportunities to share our faith, yet we

are instructed to not live as they do. Paul knew that our own spirituality will

become contaminated if we swim in sludge.

Prayer

“Lord, keep me under Your watch and care. Help

me refrain from anything that fails to line up

with Your will. In Jesus’ Name, amen.”