Recently I have noticed something that is very disturbing to me; I've noticed how easily we justify why we can do something that we aren't willing to allow other people to do, and in fact, how easy it is for us to get very defensive and sometimes offensive when this is pointed out to us.
Recently in an article I mentioned an attitude that reminded me of something I read about a long time ago that went something like this: "I may not be able to do what I want to do, but I sure can keep you from doing what you want to do and I'll spend every ounce of my strength and my last dollar make sure you don't get anything you want to do done either. So there!"
The attitude I'm speaking of now is similar; I'm not so sure that it isn't at least a fraternal twin to the attitude I wrote of earlier. Hopefully we can look at the issue without becoming too upset; I surely don't intend to upset or offend, but sometimes that happens in spite of our best intentions, doesn't it?
The scenario goes something like this "We have decided that _____ isn't behaving in the best interest of the citizens of their country so we have gotten together with the major leaders of the world and have decided to "correct" their action by___." The question we now must consider is: What if the leaders of some country decided that our leaders weren't behaving in our best interest and decided to get together with other major leaders of the world and correct our behavior by ___. Just how well do you think that would go over?
I can already hear the reasons, justifications etc., why WE have the right to do that to others while it would be utterly ridiculous to think someone else would have the right to do that to us and that is precisely my point.
If this were a problem only in the secular world it would be bad enough; everyone knows the politics and behaviors of the world is chaotic, so, perhaps, a bit more understandable. However, this chaotic attitude has permeated the body of Christ to a tremendous degree, and this is totally unacceptable. Even as I write, I can hear the outcry: Not in our church! Not in our lives! Not us! all followed by the reasons, all the justifications why it's not to be found anywhere among us and followed by a final "just in case it is there validation." But, if it is, I'm sure there must be a "good" reason" it's there.
What's that? An example you say? Scriptures tell us: "Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother and judgeth his brother speaketh evil of the law and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law thou art not a doer of the law but a judge. There is one lawgiver who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?" (James 4:11-12)
We won't speak about the last time we did that, right?
The world system arbitrarily decides who is and isn't measuring up to whatever those in charge have decided is best and will do whatever is necessary to make those in opposition to them conform to whatever standards they have arbitrarily decided is "right" at the moment (because it may change tomorrow) and never once consider they are guilty of doing the very things they are speaking against but if we're truly honest we must realize we're guilty and do the same!
No? What does this mean then?
"Therefore thou art inexcusable O man whosoever thou art that judgest: (as we see above it's SO easy to judge) for wherein thou judgest another thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things." (Romans 2:1)
Get out your Bible, look through the rest of the chapter. We find ourselves stripped bare of all excuse. We see we will stand for our behavior for with God there is no respect of persons. As Christians we have the "Standard of Right" -- God's Word and the only excuse we have for not following that standard is plain old "I don't want to." We may fool others with the "I may be sitting down but on the inside I'm standing up" but that's not going to work because we stand naked and open before God. Of course we all know this really only applies to our behavior on Sundays. Right?
•••
Editor's note: Charlie Newman is pastor of Avoca Christian Church. To contact him, e-mail [email protected], or write in care of The Times at [email protected] or P.O. Box 25, Pea Ridge, AR 72751.
Religion on 06/18/2014