2010 Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill

The oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico has dominated the news for the past few months. The tragic loss of human life when the explosion occurred caused immeasurable sadness for the families affected. Our hearts also go out to those who base their livelihood on fishing, tourism or some other industry that has been adversely affected. As we watched the oil spewing out unchecked and saw the shores polluted and marine life killed or sickened by the oil, we felt a sense of anger. It shouldn’t be this way.

One could argue that the response should have been quicker or larger, but thousands of people leaped into action. People worked around the clock to plug the leak. Some set up protective booms along the coast. Others skimmed oil from the surface. Still others cleaned up oil that had made it to the shore, or helped wildlife that had been harmed. Many of us prayed for the clean-up efforts to be effective and for the flow of oil to stop. It just didn’t seem right that the environment had become so polluted.

It’s also a shame when the church becomes polluted. When people spew out their hatred, gossip, divisiveness, sexual immorality, false teaching and other kinds of filth into the body of Christ, it should greatly anger us. We should use every available resource to clean up the mess and stop the flow of pollution into the church.

Paul warned the elders at Ephesus that evil people would infiltrate the church (Acts 20:30). He urged Timothy to rebuke and correct such people with God-given authority (2 Tim.4:1-5). He authorized the leaders at Corinth to take severe disciplinary action against polluters of the church (1 Cor.5). God wants us to fight against pollution in the body of Christ.

Church leaders, are you listening?