Archive for November 1, 2009

Continuing from earlier:

It is unfashionable in the extreme to speak of hellfire and damnation these days, for to do so forces us to stare into truth’s unblinking eye. It demands we confront the evil not only in the world and each other, but ourselves.

The truth about and reality of evil was confronted with the most brutal, direct action imaginable: human sacrifice. Further, this sacrifice was voluntary and for its purpose utterly necessary. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, came down to this earth and was born in human form for the express purpose of paying the penalty for our sins, namely death, thus enabling sinful imperfect humanity to individually reconnect with the sinless perfect God.

The honest believer knows this and acts on it by never indulging in the forbidden luxury of acting as judge and jury over others, freely condemning them for their sins. They know nothing — nothing — stands between them and an eternity spent in hell as just punishment for their sins except the shed blood of Christ on the cross. With this in mind and heart, the honest believer acts along with speaking out of love and compassion for all, knowing there is no genuine difference between them and others who do not yet know Jesus. Indeed, this knowledge compels the honest believer to deepen their pursuit of living a holy life, ever reliant on God and always reaching out to others with love in the same way they have been touched by the love and grace of a living Savior.

However, to live in love and reach out in love does not mean benign acceptance of others where they are. Note it’s where they are, not as they are. Huge difference. The honest believer does not condemn others due to their sins — as they are — for as mentioned they know they are no better. That said, the believer also never hesitates to speak up and act upon their knowledge of sin’s ultimate destination, which is death and eternal separation from God. With this harsh reality pressing on them, the believer is even more compelled to speak and live out the truth about Christ; the need for everyone to come to Him and by doing so not remaining where they are.

More in the next post.

I’m fond of the saying “the Prince of Peace trumps politics every time.” Whether I came up with it or someone else did I honestly don’t know, and it’s not germane to the conversation. I like the phrase because I believe it to be true.

By stating Jesus is more important than politics, when viewed in the light of what Christ has done for us and how the fulfillment of His coming to this planet was sacrificing His own life so we might share eternal life with Him it is also stated the people, individually and collectively, are more important than any political process affecting same. The main priority of any believer involved at any level with the political process, be it member of one of the three branches of government (executive, legislative, judicial), a commentator on same, or no action save that of voter, when viewed through the priorities and calling of faith cannot be that of mere political activism and/or self-promotion. To accept Jesus not only as Savior but as Lord requires a reorganization of priorities. The pursuit, acquisition and maintenance of individual power, prestige and glory can no longer have a place in life. Even the belief of serving the greater public good by working toward what one believes are appropriate political directives and actions cannot be paramount. Rather, it is the concern for people as individuals of equal worth and value as ourselves, fellow children of God created in His image and, as we are, sinners in need of God’s grace and salvation available solely through acceptance of and belief in Christ that must reign supreme. Direct expression of our faith in action as well as word, or to be more accurate even more so than, manifested in our following Jesus by loving others as we know He loves us is the calling. Everything else — our interaction with family, friends and associates; our work on behalf of others — descends from this and should reflect this.

The calling is not reserved for pastors and preachers. All of us who believe share the same mandate. There is no caste system in Christianity. No one is lower in importance than another for any reason the world uses to judge such matters. Concern expressed through compassion and care are honored in heaven regardless of how the one doing these things is thought of in the social pecking order. God’s love for us is that deep.

A vital element to the above is understanding that the basic nature of imperfect humanity separated by sin from perfect God is, simply put, sinful. Evil, and the capacity of carrying out same, lives in the heart of every person. The honest believer knows this and responds accordingly, always wary of themselves, knowing it is vital they rely solely on God to overcome their own predilection toward evil so they might do that which is good. It is not that no one, believer or not, is incapable of doing that which is good apart from God. However, this does not negate the basic sinful, imperfect, evil nature of us all. To be able to do good, and in fact do so, does not expunge the evil living within.

Not that this stops far too many people.

Let’s take this into the political realm. The individual who fails to confess their own sinfulness in any genuine manner will act on their persuasions believing even as they are good, so are their philosophies and actions. To them, how can these be anything but good? There is no hesitation to justify actions and beliefs when there is no authentic concern these may be based in that which is incorrect.

To accept the living God as truth means taking Christ at His word: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” This is a harsh statement void of leeway. Jesus’ life, death and resurrection all point toward this basic fact: we need Him. Each of us. All of us. Period.

When this is denied, along with it comes the inability to admit, let alone confront personal evil. This is reflected in political philosophies and action in which we see an individual and/or individuals banded together under a common ideology, such as party affiliation, playing God. I am good; I am in power; I know what’s best for you; here you go.

More in the next post.