And yet … when Christ is Lord there is no division between holy and ordinary. My
faith is not just a Sunday sentimentality.
The convictions that grow out
of our devotion to Him will form the values that govern our financial choices,
the expression of our sexuality, our manner of speech, the way we treat other
people, and even the kind of citizens we are! The rub is exactly how to live in the world
without becoming a part of it. Christians of conviction should be prepared to
live in direct conflict with those who do not love God in the same way. It is
part of the price of devotion.
Jesus told us that “they will lay hands on you and persecute you. They will deliver you to
synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and
all on account of my name. This will result in your being witnesses to them. But make up your mind not to worry beforehand
how you will defend yourselves. For I will give you words and wisdom that none
of your adversaries will be able to resist or contradict. You will be betrayed
even by parents, brothers, relatives and friends, and they will put some of you
to death. All men will hate you
because of me. But not a hair of your head will perish. By standing firm
you will gain life.” (Luke 21:12)
Our highest ethic is love,
deep compassion, other-centered, self-sacrificial love. Instead crying, “I’ve got my rights” we must lower
our defenses. As Jesus said, ‘Don’t hit back at all.’ If someone strikes
you, stand there and take it. If someone drags you into court and sues for the
shirt off your back, giftwrap your best coat and make a present of it. And if
someone takes unfair advantage of you, use the occasion to practice the servant
life. No more tit-for-tat stuff. Live generously.” The Message (Mt 5:39-42) Christians who grow angry under the pressure
of persecution, who lash out at their tormentors, or who respond with violence
or threats discredit their faith and their Lord. He calls on us to patiently endure
rejection, to love our enemies, to continue to work – steadily – to see His
Gospel spread.
Let’s commit ourselves to a
robust faith, one that is engaged with life – first in ourselves, then in our
world. When that faith brings us into
conflict with others, let’s be humble. If they are attacking us for hypocrisy, let’s
repent and get it right, for Christ’s sake.
If the world hates us because we love Him, then let’s bear it –
joyfully.
Here’s a word from the Word.
Ponder it, study it, own it, live it.
"Everyone who wants to live a godly life in
Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil men and impostors will go from bad
to worse, deceiving and being deceived.
But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for
teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man
of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will
judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I
give you this charge: Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season;
correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction." (2 Timothy 3:12-4:3, NIV)
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