A Christ-less Christianity?

Here we are in the aftermath of an historic election. Whatever we may feel about the results, the social upheaval is undeniable– people’s unrest and uncertainty about their lives visible in the passion of their politics.

As a conservative Christian I see a possible consequence for us, a feeling of triumph that will lead us ever more deeply into a ‘Christianity’ that is Christ-less, when we use the words of Christ without understanding the profound discipleship to which He calls those who bear His Name.

Our new political order promises greater wealth, a new swagger on the world stage, a disposal of those among us who are disdained as ‘illegals,’ and a new pride in Nation. Is there an upside to those policies? Perhaps so, but none of them can be undertaken in the Name of Jesus! None of those things have any support in the words of our Savior and professed Lord, do they?

In a statement of the obvious – Jesus Christ is not “American” nor is He a Republican or a Democrat. He is the Lord of Glory, God of Eternity, and Judge of all the earth.

Rather than celebrate  I believe that Christians should take on a time of extended prayer, real reflection; even fasting, that ancient spiritual practice of self-denial. IF we have not already sold our souls for mere political influence, we are in great danger of doing so now!

I have no issue with the defense of the unborn, with the strengthening of the family, or with greater support for the role of parents in the nation. I do believe that compassionate regulation of immigration is necessary to prevent terrible social disruption in our communities and with those convictions come responsibilities to care for the poor, the less, the marginalized with more than rhetoric.

We need to make certain that Jesus is the Center of our lives and our only hope. Greed, pride, and raw power of the sword are anti-Christ’s values and practices. Christ’s are compassion, contentment, service, sacrifice, and humility.

Whatever your emotions in these days following our election, I urge you to turn anew to Christ Jesus committing to the leading of the Holy Spirit, being willing to live counter-culturally for His sake.

The word from the Word is lengthy, from the heart of Jesus Himself.

"One day as the crowds were gathering, Jesus went up the mountainside with his disciples and sat down to teach them. This is what he taught them:
“God blesses those who realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is given to them.
God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

God blesses those who are gentle and lowly, for the whole earth will belong to them.
God blesses those who are hungry and thirsty for justice, for they will receive it in full.

God blesses those who are merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
God blesses those whose hearts are pure, for they will see God.

God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God.
God blesses those who are persecuted because they live for God, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.

“God blesses you when you are mocked and persecuted and lied about because you are my followers. Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted, too." (Matthew 5:1-12, NLT)

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(Video of this blog at this link)

 

The Jesus Way

If you curse me then I will bless you
If you hurt me I will forgive
And if you hate me then I will love you
I choose the Jesus way

If you’re helpless I will defend you
And if you’re burdened I’ll share the weight
And if you’re hopeless then let me show you
There’s hope in the Jesus way

I follow Jesus I follow Jesus
He wore my sin I’ll gladly wear His name
He is the treasure He is the answer
Oh I choose the Jesus way

If you strike me I will embrace you
And if you chain me I’ll sing His praise
And if you kill me my home is heaven
For I choose the Jesus way

I choose surrender I choose to love
Oh God my Savior You’ll always be enough
I choose forgiveness I choose grace
I choose to worship no matter what I face
I choose the Jesus way
I choose the Jesus way

 

Jonathan Smith, Phil Wickham © Be Essential Songs; Cashagamble Jet Music; Phil Wickham Music; Simply Global Songs   CCLI License #810055

Receiving what God Prepares

“But I don’t like …”  is a phrase sometimes heard when certain foods are set on the dinner table. I am prepared to eat what is placed before me, with thanksgiving.  Do have preferences? I sure do, but early in life I was trained to eat what was set in front of me and to do so without complaint! Now, I must be honest about salmon and tomatoes. If those were on the menu, I would simply choose to remain hungry.

Are you prepared to receive what God has prepared for you,
with thanksgiving, so that you can live in His peace?

IF we desire to know a deep and intimate relationship with God,
IF we want to experience the ‘abundant life’ which Jesus offers,
IF we would be most effective in our Christian service -
we must be willing to surrender our preferences and accept His plan.

There is no better illustration of the toxicity of willfulness than the experience of the people of Israel during their pilgrimage from Egypt to the Promised Land. By miraculous provision, God delivered them from slavery and led them.  Repeatedly, they found His provision – in circumstance and even in daily food – unacceptable.

When they were hungry in the wilderness, the LORD provided perfect food. All they had to do was gather it up from the ground each morning. Listen to their response - “Oh, for some meat!” they exclaimed. “We remember all the fish we used to eat for free in Egypt. And we had all the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions, and garlic that we wanted. But now our appetites are gone, and day after day we have nothing to eat but this manna!” (Numbers 11:4-6, NLT)

Their repeated refusals to accept what God gave to them caused them to sin in multiple ways and their failures met with terrible consequences.  They became faithless. They rebelled against Moses’ leadership. They experienced God’s judgment, and many died. An entire generation ended up dying during the 40 years of wilderness wandering because they refused to follow God into the Promised Land the first time!

The tragedy of their sin led them to turn back to God, but too late to avoid the consequence of their ingratitude and rebellion.

The book of Hebrews alludes to those stories of refusal of God’s leading and encourages us to choose differently. "God’s promise of entering his place of rest still stands, so we ought to tremble with fear that some of you might fail to get there. For this Good News—that God has prepared a place of rest—has been announced to us just as it was to them. But it did them no good because they didn’t believe what God told them.

For only we who believe can enter his place of rest. … So God’s rest is there for people to enter. But those who formerly heard the Good News failed to enter because they disobeyed God. So God set another time for entering his place of rest, and that time is today. … So there is a special rest still waiting for the people of God." (Hebrews 4:1-9, NLT)

As we begin this new week, let’s present ourselves humbly to God as His grateful children. Not every situation will be exactly as we would want it to be. We will find ourselves presented with challenges to our faith, with developments that are hard to accept, with choices in which we know what is right but not what we want to do. May we have the faith and courage to walk in faithfulness so that we may enter the fullness of His provision, with gratitude.

The word from the Word puts the focus in the right place. Meditate on this truth today. "Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching." (Hebrews 10:23-25, NIV)

Lord, find us grateful and accepting. Amen

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(Video of this blog at this link)