The Christian Difficulty

Posted by jeremy on November 11th, 2008 filed in Content

As I sit writing we are exactly 4 days after the 2008 Presidential election. Barrack Obama now sits as our presidential elect. On You Tube there is a flurry of Obama celebration videos. Some Christian conservatives are preaching the end of this nation. Ron Paul supporters are still wondering why? On the radio I hear the call from both conservatives and democrats for a spirit of unity amongst the people of the U.S., for Bi- partisanship and collaboration for the path into our future as a nation. As with most things my mind is filled with questions of truth and thoughts of intention. Did God want this? Did He not want this? Was it just allowed? Did he cause it? Are we being punished? Were we being punished the previous years? Of course most people believe they know the answers to these questions which usually exposes their own political leanings and/or theological outlook.
My personal conviction is what is Christ concerned with and how can I know what that is? I mean would Jesus vote? Some would say absolutely, because isn’t the state of our country an issue of ethics and virtue? All of these questions, I believe, beg deeper questions though. What exactly are the absolutes that Jesus is concerned with (Yes, I’m sure He is concerned with all absolutes.) What is ethical in the eyes of Christ? What does He consider to be virtuous? I mean if He were to vote who’s to say what you think He would vote for actually is what He would do. I mean are the things you think are ethically right and virtuous the same as Christ? Are you projecting your own desires onto Him instead of letting what He Is shape what you believe. I would personally argue to death for the latter.
Don’t we avoid the answer to these questions though? I mean a true sincere answer to Christ’s desire’s can only lead to action. He spent time teaching us how to think, but more he showed us how to live. Yes, he taught the disciples many truths, but it seems it was almost always coupled with action. He started His ministry in the desert by teaching the devil a few things about what it means to obey God, showing that he is the antithesis of what the devil is. He taught Satan truth while at the same time resisting in obedience. Three simple truths; Man lives by every word of God, Do not test God, and worship the Lord and serve Him only. Do we thrive; even survive, on the word? How often do we try and test him? Are you completely abandoned to God in everything you do? Did you vote that way?
Christ’s first words in preaching were a call to action, “Repent for the Kingdom of heaven is near.” Then he went on the Mount of Olives and taught much character and virtue. His sermon taught meekness, righteousness, humility, purity in heart, being merciful, making peace, being a sufferer!
So are we willing to take action based on what we know Christ’s desires for us are? I mean it seems we are more interested in putting signs in our yard that communicate what are beliefs are, than we are true action. Have we talked with our neighbors about Christ? Or are we hoping they’ll see our pro-life signs and assume we care about them?
I mean let’s be honest here for a moment. Isn’t it easier to be passive-aggressive? Isn’t easier to be comfortable? It takes effort to show love. It takes sacrifice to reach out. But if I can just get the hammer from my garage, then all I have to do spend 5 minutes putting a sign up that’ll communicate my beliefs and then they’ll know and God will be pleased. Right? Well, not as far as I can tell from scripture. I mean after Paul was stoned, almost to death, he went back into the city. Could he have just put a sign up? I think not.
In the end it’s imperative that we know Christ. I mean really know Him. We have access to His word. It tells us all about Him. If we can better understand how He lived we can also live the way he intends us to. Maybe instead of picketing we can put an arm around someone and show mercy. We have so much cultural influence that blinds us. We have so many paradigms that have to be broken. Your life is not your own. You are called to suffer for the gospel. Complacency was not an option for Christ, the disciples, the apostle Paul. The greatest achievement in life is not comfort. Let’s begin there. Take a step forward.