I had a lot of things on my mind for today's post, but the one that I can't escape is how far this country has come. How far we have come from a nation whose foundation was rooted on Biblical principles to a nation who seemingly has so many variation of roots, we have no clue as to what the United States really stands for anymore.
I heard about the protests of the Westboro Church at a Lance Corporal's funeral. So, I decided to check out their web page in order to get a deeper insight into why they believe what they do. It was so sad. I am not going to sit here and write about my own interpretations of the Word of God and expect others to believe it or try to force others to believe it. I know what I believe as a Christian and, let's just say, it's quite a bit different from that of the Westboro Church.
Instead of protesting the funeral of a soldier who was also a beloved son, I would have expressed the love of Christ and His mercy by reaching out to comfort these people during their time of grief. I would have shown them and their son respect by keeping quiet and keeping my distance until this most private time was over. Then I would have prayed and asked God to show me favor with this family, to give me the words needed to comfort them and to help them during this dark time. That is what it means to be a servant of Christ for me. But that is just this one woman's humble opinion. I realize that doesn't make me right. However, if that is what I believe in my heart to be right, then it is right for me. Does that make sense?
Another thing about that whole story that really digs at me is the audacity of these people to persecute the very people who out there, putting everything on the line day in and day out just so that they can continue to live in the freedom that far too many people take for granted. How dare they? I think that they need first to go back and review some other scriptures before rising up to tell a dying world that is desperate for hope that Jesus hates them.
Consider Luke 6:42 -NIV "How can you say to your brother, 'Brother, let me take the speck out of your eye,' when you yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye?" It's easy to sit in judgment of the world and make ourselves feel better about our own faults while we point out the faults of others.
Or better yet, I love how The Message puts it in Romans 12:19-21."Our Scriptures tell us that if you see your enemy hungry, go buy that person lunch, or if he's thirsty, get him a drink. Your generosity will surprise him with goodness. Don't let evil get the best of you; get the best of evil by doing good."
What about Luke 6:37? The Message says 37-38"Don't pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults— unless, of course, you want the same treatment. Don't condemn those who are down; that hardness can boomerang. Be easy on people; you'll find life a lot easier. Give away your life; you'll find life given back, but not merely given back—given back with bonus and blessing. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity." The Amplified version puts it this way 37Judge not [neither pronouncing judgment nor subjecting to censure], and you will not be judged; do not condemn and pronounce guilty, and you will not be condemned and pronounced guilty; acquit and forgive and [a]release (give up resentment, let it drop), and you will be acquitted and forgiven and [b]released."
I don't profess to be a perfect Christian because the Bible assures me that we all sin and fall short of the glory and honor of God (Romans 3:23). All I can do is what I can do. I can strive everyday to live in obedience to the best of my knowledge to Jesus Christ. I can live everyday, alert to every opportunity to lift someone up, encourage someone, edify someone, just love on someone in a way that pleases my Lord and King. That, to me, at least, is the interpretation of being a Christian.
No comments:
Post a Comment