The pastor of Cross Eastlake Church in Mt Dora, Florida has offered to pay for tattoos for church members and three members have taken him up on the offer. Read the article here.

This is just downright wicked. First, tattoos are in every way heathen. They are a sign of rebellion. Of course today, in America, it seems folks are rebelling and showing their individuality by conforming to the crowd, but that is neither here nor there.

As a Christian, I do not try to impose my beliefs on the unsaved. They can cut, mark and deface their bodies as they wish. They are accountable to God for their actions, but not accountable to me.

But, when folk who claim the name of Jesus deface the temple of the Lord, then yes, I need to speak out. Sadly so many pastors care more about the size of their congregation than they do about purity in the flock.

Many sins, not just tattoos and piercings, are condoned, and in this particular case, encouraged. The churches are filled with unwed mothers, who, rather than being reproved and restored after repenting, are just accepted without correction. Women dress in shorts, tight clothes and whorish make-up. Alcohol, soft pornography (R-rated movies, swim suit issues, etc), and violent video games fill many homes of church members. Yet these things are never discussed from the pulpit.

Teaching on holiness and separation unto the Lord is missing from our churches. Church discipline is almost non-existent in our day. The distinction between the church and the world, the holy and profane, is not just blurred, it is absent.

It is time for judgement to begin in the church.

For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house 
of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them 
that obey not the gospel of God?  1Peter  4:17