I have come across a few articles and blogs written by my brothers and sisters in Christ over the past few days. They are hacked about the fact that the world does not agree with them about Christ, morality and other similar issues. I know how that feels. I let that kind of stuff bother me way too much. But the more I think about this, the more I think my emotion is the wrong reaction. My response is not really biblical; instead, it is personal.
I think it's good and right to have holy anger with sin, especially my own sin, the sin that pervades the church and the destruction it causes in the world. I mean God's glory is at stake, right? But, honestly, I don't think that's why many Christians are angry. I think that our anger is rooted in the personal disappointment that American culture no longer verifies our beliefs. We are seen as being misinformed and stupid. Our glory has faded in the eyes of the culture and we don't like it. But Christ said that this would be the norm in Matthew 5:10-12. Paul reiterated the same idea in 1 Corinthians 2:6-16. So, why all the anger? Jesus said to rejoice in this fact. It's evidence of our fellowship with Jesus and our forefathers in the faith.
We don't need the world to verify our faith. We believe because God has revealed His grace to us in Jesus Christ by the power of the Holy Spirit. That's simply all the verification that we need.
4 comments:
I dont get it either. I think many Christians today get caught up in a Christian sub culture, if you will, and therefore get more upset when the world doesnt validate them. You are right, God's love is the only validation we need. But I think, if we go a step further and remember to look at Jesus and HIS example:
With a group of fishermen Jesus uses fishing, in farm country he uses the harvest, under Roman occupation he talks about going the extra mile and paying taxes, in sight of Herod’s man made mountain fortress he speaks of mountain moving faith, with a rich young ruler he talks about money, in the market place He uses children playing as an illustration, with the religious rulers he used God’s word and man’s tradition; there is no doubt that Jesus was in tune with both the religious and the secular culture around Him.
He was not trying to avoid what we would call “worldliness”. Think prostitutes, tax collectors, and heavy drinkers, think “Son’s of Thunder” and “Rocky”. If Jesus did not avoid these kind of conforming scenarios then we shouldnt be mad at the world but trying to set the good example and sharing love with the world.
I think we run the risk of alienating people and turning them off of Christ when we do stupid things and get angry because we are looked at as different. We should be proud to be followers of Christ.
I close with Jesus' words
Matthew 5:3-11
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven…
Thanks Chris
so, what stance do we take as responsible Christians?
We live in an age where the concept of right or wrong has been replaced with the concept of relativism. Stating that something is biblically wrong results in being labeled a right wing simpleton. I tend to think a little passion for a subject, in a world over-run with apathy, helps one persevere in the struggle.
having passion about a subject can lead people AGAIN to believe you're angry - but, honestly...doesn't it hurt you to see people literally TRAMPLING ON God's Word and what He wants for His creation??? I think it's almost a catch-22: get angry and it's all about you; don't get angry and you don't care enough about your Savior and LORD to take a stand.
I like the way it sounds - God's love is the only validation we need...but is that the only one we're to be concerned about - ourselves? If we're not a 'peculiar people', how/why can we stand out enough for the world to want what we have?
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