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Isn’t the church supposed to be made up of God’s special people, and unified not with the world, but with Christ? on Nov 29, 2024 From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham Q: It’s becoming difficult to communicate with younger generations – even some my own age (I’m a baby boomer). Words that have had a particular meaning have been changed and an online dictionary has to be consulted. I’m having to learn English all over again. The word bad now means good; church now means community. What’s behind all of this? Isn’t the church supposed to be made up of God’s special people, and unified not with the world, but with Christ? – C.L. A: Confusion is the work of the deceiver – the devil. The Bible clearly warns that a time will come when right is wrong and wrong is right (see Isaiah 5:20). “The time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires” (2 Timothy 4:3, NKJV). While the church should open its doors to surrounding communities, the word community in today’s society has expanded its reach. Phrases associated with this idea of community are “having similar likes and dislikes” and identifying with specific “thoughts and ideas that unify.” At first glance, it sounds cozy – perhaps too cozy – especially when applied to Christ’s church. Paul said, “[Christ] gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people” (Titus 2:14, KJV). This word peculiar is not thought of as favorable anymore, not even by Christians. This word has gotten a bad rap. People slip into modern-day vocabulary words giving them a new expressive personality. A generation or two ago the word bad had a negative connotation. Today it means great. This is the case with the word peculiar. When most people hear the word, they cringe, thinking it means odd. But the word describes what Christ expects His church to be – a distinctive people. When Jesus prayed for the unity of the brethren, this is the group of which He was speaking (see John 17).