Metaphors matter. Are you committed to a culture war or to the conversion of the lost? Is our battle against the people who disagree with us or against the spiritual powers that work to enslave humanity (flesh and blood or powers and principalities)? Do we succeed through power or by God's Spirit? Are we for the world or against it? Our images of success shape the way we live our lives, and they affect our message to the next generation.
How do we deal with a world that opposes God and destroys lives? This was the question in Jesus' day. Rome had conquered God's people and were occupying Jerusalem. They represented both spiritual and moral evil. How were they to be dealt with? The Zealots chose violence. The leadership of Israel favored resistance ranging from cautious bureaucratic maneuvering to outright rebellion.
God's answer has always been different. When Babylon conquered Israel and took them into exile, the Israelites acknowledged God's judgment but decided they were going to make life difficult for the Babylonians. They would separate themselves, do as little as possible, and become an irritation the Babylonians would long to be free of. But God had different plans. He commanded the Israelites to move into the city, mingle with the people, and serve them so that Babylon would prosper and miss them when they were gone. (Jeremiah 29)
God not only loved Israel, He loved Babylon as well. He had always intended Israel to be a light to all people. Israel needed discipline for its own good. He hoped Babylon would benefit as well. "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16) Is God for or against the world? Are we to be for or against the world? We do not agree with the world's philosophies, systems, or behavior that separates people from God and destroys lives, but we are for the people who live in the world. Do we want to see our enemies redeemed or disgraced? The answer to that question determines whether we are with Jesus or not.
We are told that Jesus did not come into the world to condemn it, but to save it. The world was already condemned for its rebellion. If God wanted us destroyed, then he didn't have to do anything. Instead, he intervened in love. He won life, freedom, and dignity for us. He was, and still is, for us.
We need to take our cues from God and not the headlines. This is the age of grace. The weeds and the wheat will not be separated until Jesus returns. Paul's words might startle us today: "What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? God will judge those outside." (1 Cor 5:12,13) Jesus pushes us to extremes: "But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you." (Luke 6:27-28) Do we bless those who curse us, or do we curse them right back? And do we make heroes of the spiritually obnoxious? Have we become the new Pharisees? If so, what does that say of our allegiance to Christ?
Is our view of reform based on Scripture or a social gospel? The question is important. A social gospel is shaped by a human perception of current events. It is often a reaction based on cultural hopes and beliefs, like the liberal social gospel, or based on our fears and self-protection like the new conservative social gospel. Both had a little truth, but relied on culture more than Christ for their guidance.
Why is this important? Because social gospels are poison for our youth. We need to stop blaming the world for our failures. The world will always work against us. It always has. The reason we are losing our youth is not because the world has changed. It's because we have changed. I don't choose to be liberal or conservative. I choose to be a disciple of Jesus. If we want to save our youth, if we want to save the world, we need to follow Jesus and repent from our social gospels.
Monday, April 11, 2011
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Political Disgrace
Youth learn more from our example than our teachings. Why? Because our actions reveal what we actually believe. Consciously or unconsciously we all know this. What does this have to do with politics? With a new political season beginning (there seems to be little rest between each race), our behavior will demonstrate to the next generation what we really believe.
Political discussion has become divisive, polarizing, and downright mean. We are told that there is so much at stake that we can't afford to be civil. The ends justify the means, and that's the problem. Jesus taught a very different message. The means are the end according to Jesus. He declared himself to be the way. He came to do more than point us toward a destination. He told us the way we journey is important.
Love is more important than who is in the White House. The fact that we might even question this demonstrates how far we have fallen from God's will. We are not to grumble or complain as we join in Jesus work of reaching the world (Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life... - Phil 2:14-16). We are called to avoid the lifestyle of the mocker (Psalm 1:1). That should challenge us if we are adherents to radio shock jocks of either the right or the left. And we are called to explain our hope with gentleness and respect (But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. It is better, if it is God's will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. - I Peter 3:15-17).
Peter's words take us right to the heart of the issue. What is our hope based on? Is our hope built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness? To listen to many Christians speak today, you would have to question this. There seems to be more talk of politics than evangelism. Political power is exalted over the Holy Spirit's power. And love and civility seems to be a casualty. If we are called to love our enemies, those trying to do active harm to us, then how are we to treat those who merely disagree about this year's candidate?
Jesus really is the answer before all other things. My political involvement is secondary at best. My party right or wrong is a dangerous form of idolatry. I belong to God's kingdom before I belong to this country.
Jesus calls us to a way of life that seems like foolishness to those around us. Self-protection and fear rule our culture at the moment. Is there room for God's love, service, and sacrifice? The way we answer that question reveals what we really believe about life. Truth is important, but when it is conveyed in anger and self-righteousness, it becomes false. Our culture is currently suffering from a lack of grace. We will solve nothing by following our culture. There is a better way offered by Jesus, a life seasoned with love, truth, and grace, and it is a disgrace to Jesus if we abandon God's eternal way for the concerns of the moment.
The next generation is watching, and many of them are already turned off. With Jesus the means are as important as the ends. We could gain the White House and lose our youth.
Political discussion has become divisive, polarizing, and downright mean. We are told that there is so much at stake that we can't afford to be civil. The ends justify the means, and that's the problem. Jesus taught a very different message. The means are the end according to Jesus. He declared himself to be the way. He came to do more than point us toward a destination. He told us the way we journey is important.
Love is more important than who is in the White House. The fact that we might even question this demonstrates how far we have fallen from God's will. We are not to grumble or complain as we join in Jesus work of reaching the world (Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life... - Phil 2:14-16). We are called to avoid the lifestyle of the mocker (Psalm 1:1). That should challenge us if we are adherents to radio shock jocks of either the right or the left. And we are called to explain our hope with gentleness and respect (But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. It is better, if it is God's will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. - I Peter 3:15-17).
Peter's words take us right to the heart of the issue. What is our hope based on? Is our hope built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness? To listen to many Christians speak today, you would have to question this. There seems to be more talk of politics than evangelism. Political power is exalted over the Holy Spirit's power. And love and civility seems to be a casualty. If we are called to love our enemies, those trying to do active harm to us, then how are we to treat those who merely disagree about this year's candidate?
Jesus really is the answer before all other things. My political involvement is secondary at best. My party right or wrong is a dangerous form of idolatry. I belong to God's kingdom before I belong to this country.
Jesus calls us to a way of life that seems like foolishness to those around us. Self-protection and fear rule our culture at the moment. Is there room for God's love, service, and sacrifice? The way we answer that question reveals what we really believe about life. Truth is important, but when it is conveyed in anger and self-righteousness, it becomes false. Our culture is currently suffering from a lack of grace. We will solve nothing by following our culture. There is a better way offered by Jesus, a life seasoned with love, truth, and grace, and it is a disgrace to Jesus if we abandon God's eternal way for the concerns of the moment.
The next generation is watching, and many of them are already turned off. With Jesus the means are as important as the ends. We could gain the White House and lose our youth.
Monday, April 4, 2011
What a Host is and Isn't
First of all, a host is other-centered. The host is concerned that strangers feel welcome. An outsider feels like an outsider until we bring them inside. The first way we do this is by letting them know we are glad they came. This is the first obstacle for preChristians. The way we talk, the assumptions we make, and our actions can push people away. If my conversation is laced with prejudicial remarks about preChristians, about how difficult my life is because of unbelievers, and sweeping comments about the beliefs and actions of nonChristians, then a stranger is not going to feel comfortable around me. They will not feel welcome.
Many Christians today mix their faith in God with other parts of their lives, giving them equal value. You may be a Republican or Tea Party member or a Democrat. That's fine. You should be involved, but when we equate political affiliation with the will of God, we do two things. First, we sin because equating that political movement with the Word of God is idolatry. Second, we alienate people based on something other than Christ. The gatekeeper judges people on secondary issues, using these issues to erect a barrier between them and Jesus. This reflects the self-righteousness of the Pharisees and needs to be avoided as the sin it is.
A host connects people. It is difficult to be the stranger, to not know anyone in the room, to be ignored. The host does not need to do all the relating. Instead, he or she puts people together, introduces the outsider to others, and helps start the conversation. I am always watching for the people at the edges. I need to go to them and help them enter enter the group.
A host doesn't wait for someone else to make the first move. I have no problem that churches give badges to a small group of people and calls them greeters. I do have a problem if we think that fills the need. We are all hosts. We are to be witnesses to Jesus and his character, and Jesus was the ultimate host.
This makes a huge difference to students. They don't want to be the fish out of water, and they don't like to feel overexposed. If they do, don't expect to see them again.
As a host, you want people to feel welcome, I want to help them connect with others, I want to help them navigate expectations so that they will not be embarrassed, and I want to be myself. I am to adjust to my surroundings (be all things to all people), but I should not apologize for my faith or for Jesus being the focus of Christian instruction. Being a host doesn't change my goals.
This is important. As a host, I am helping other people fit in; I am helping them become comfortable; but I am not trying to win their approval by trying to match their expectations. I am not trying to diminish the call of Christ or pretend that Jesus asks for just a subtle course correction for our life. I meet people where they live, understand them where they are, and welcome them with open arms because God loves them (Jesus met us where we live, understands us, and welcomes us) and in the hope that Jesus can use my life and service to bring them into new life.
I am not just a host for an event that I have to put on. I am a host for Jesus. If I am a host for a party I did not throw, then part of my task is to make sure that everyone who comes through the door meets the master of the ball, the one who threw the party. As a host, I don't want to meet people's expectation. I want to exceed them. I want them to meet Jesus. I don't want to get so wrapped up in the job of host that I forget why the event is taking place in the first place.
Many Christians today mix their faith in God with other parts of their lives, giving them equal value. You may be a Republican or Tea Party member or a Democrat. That's fine. You should be involved, but when we equate political affiliation with the will of God, we do two things. First, we sin because equating that political movement with the Word of God is idolatry. Second, we alienate people based on something other than Christ. The gatekeeper judges people on secondary issues, using these issues to erect a barrier between them and Jesus. This reflects the self-righteousness of the Pharisees and needs to be avoided as the sin it is.
A host connects people. It is difficult to be the stranger, to not know anyone in the room, to be ignored. The host does not need to do all the relating. Instead, he or she puts people together, introduces the outsider to others, and helps start the conversation. I am always watching for the people at the edges. I need to go to them and help them enter enter the group.
A host doesn't wait for someone else to make the first move. I have no problem that churches give badges to a small group of people and calls them greeters. I do have a problem if we think that fills the need. We are all hosts. We are to be witnesses to Jesus and his character, and Jesus was the ultimate host.
This makes a huge difference to students. They don't want to be the fish out of water, and they don't like to feel overexposed. If they do, don't expect to see them again.
As a host, you want people to feel welcome, I want to help them connect with others, I want to help them navigate expectations so that they will not be embarrassed, and I want to be myself. I am to adjust to my surroundings (be all things to all people), but I should not apologize for my faith or for Jesus being the focus of Christian instruction. Being a host doesn't change my goals.
This is important. As a host, I am helping other people fit in; I am helping them become comfortable; but I am not trying to win their approval by trying to match their expectations. I am not trying to diminish the call of Christ or pretend that Jesus asks for just a subtle course correction for our life. I meet people where they live, understand them where they are, and welcome them with open arms because God loves them (Jesus met us where we live, understands us, and welcomes us) and in the hope that Jesus can use my life and service to bring them into new life.
I am not just a host for an event that I have to put on. I am a host for Jesus. If I am a host for a party I did not throw, then part of my task is to make sure that everyone who comes through the door meets the master of the ball, the one who threw the party. As a host, I don't want to meet people's expectation. I want to exceed them. I want them to meet Jesus. I don't want to get so wrapped up in the job of host that I forget why the event is taking place in the first place.
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