The first question asked of...
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The first question asked of someone desiring baptism in the United Methodist Church is this: "Do you renounce the spiritual forces of wickedness, reject the evil powers of this world, and repent of your sin?" Those words always seem to overwhelm the parents who bring their young, innocent newborn babies to the church altar for the sacrament. But those important words are an acknowledgment that when our lives are not tamed by the presence of Christ living with us, it will descend into debauchery and the lowest common denominator of enjoyments and entertainment. The spiritual forces of wickedness are out there, and they do destroy many a life. Without an inner moral compass, the choices we make will be guided by our own selfish concerns rather than by the idea of doing the greatest good for all. If we are unable to expose our practices to the daylight, then something is wrong. If what we do is kept hidden and secretive and sheltered from exposure to the light, then our own shame should convict us of our wrong avenue of approach. If we need to keep what we do hidden from others, then we should ask ourselves why that is the case. Evildoers seek to hide their deeds of violence or lust under the cover of night. The Christian life should be conducted as if all the world were able to see what was being done.
-- Van Der Wall
-- Van Der Wall
