What are we doing?
As I read the latest news reports from this small church in Gainesville, and their attempt to thwart the Islamic movement by burning a book, I wonder how we got to this place? There is no question that Christians in general find themselves struggling with a lukewarm attitude about their faith. When we think of how much God truly loves us and what He sacrificed to reconcile us to Him, and then we respond with an indifferent attitude to worshipping Him, it saddens me. But the answer to lukewarmness is not standing on a street corner screaming at young women walking into a clinic, or burning books of other religions. That is not passion, that is lunacy, and it is cowardice. Real courage would be to get down and dirty in people's lives, hear their cries and show them the love that God shows us. To show grace, humility and love to someone teaches them who Jesus is. To scream at them in condemnation, just pushes people further away.
If we truly believe what we read in the Scriptures, I believe Jesus would show up at this rally to burn the Koran and ask, "OK, you who are perfect, who are truly following Me and living according to My will, and are without a need for repentance, light the match!"
You see, there are people in this world who hate us, and want our beliefs and faith to die. That is not new, nor front page news. And there are times where we must take up arms to defend the innocent, and to help maintain the liberties endowed us by our Creator. But it is the power of the Holy Spirit to convict and convert people to an understanding and belief in Jesus Christ. Our job is to make the name of Jesus Christ, the name that is above all names, and show the world what it He is all about!!! There are so many men and women living this day, in the muslim community, following in the example of Paul and the first Christian pioneers, loving and spreading the Gospel to a world that does not understand the concept of Grace. Perhaps we should be returning to the words of God, and truly seeking His direction, and then start living it out!
It is within the constitutional right of this church, to burn the Koran, on Saturday. But that doesn't make it OK. Sometimes, even though we are given liberties to take action, our efforts can cause pain and hardship for others. Please join me in praying for our troops and civilians living in areas where this news will bring violence and possibly death to them, and also prayer for this small church, that they will truly seek God's will in how to best move forward "spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." Acts 1:8b
No comments:
Post a Comment