Tuesday, July 01, 2014

A few nice words for Sunday morning?


The Supreme Court handed down a decision about religious liberty yesterday (6/30/2014) that made some dance for joy and others seethe in rage. One commentator growled about the “evangelical Christians from Oklahoma who want to push their religion on the rest of us. They should content to keep it in church!”  About half of Americans would probably agree with him. Religion, to that half of the country, is something only for the church or synagogue, neatly separated from the ‘real’ world. I am happy that I live in a nation where the government is not entangled with a specific religion.  I look at the past where Church and King were united and see a lot of misery.  We have seen the terrors exacted on the people who live where mullahs rule.

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.
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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