It seems that discontent is such a simple state into which we human beings easily fall. The sense of entitlement and believing that our opinions are of most importance. I know I have not written for a time and, in our age, that is something that a person writing a blog should not do because it doesn’t help build an “audience.” I don’t know that what I have to say is important or not, but it is on my heart and if it helps one person in life then it is worth the words and the thoughts.
I am so tired of the level of divide we see within our country and our world. People hold opinions and when others don’t hold the same they ridicule those with whom they disagree as being “stupid” or “idiots” and we continually hear the call for temperance from one side against the other, but both continue to lambast the other. Whether it be via twitter or any other social media platform. We live in an age of righteous indignation that must be remedied in whatever method that feels right for the one who feels wronged. A group that states it’s purpose as being against fascism which is a system of control that does not allow for disagreement but oppresses those who disagree with them or puts those that are different than them in thought, beliefs, or ethnicity under an oppressive thumb but then attacks those who disagree with them, holds different beliefs then them, or does not fit into their mold of what they consider and define as just and good through violence and oppression. It is insanity and my prayer is that it stops.
It is wrong to attack people because they are different then you, period. The beauty of living in a free nation is that thoughts and opinions are allowed to be had even though they may differ and we are free to be offended as well as we are free to offend. The consequences of such action are also a part of the freedom. If, for example, people find that my words are offensive they may say so and choose not to read them. People may comment and I do not have to like what they say, but I also have the freedom to disagree. This, though, is not my main reason for writing this nor is it my goal. My prayer is that we, as Christians, seek to find points of common agreement on things of importance and things that are central to our faith. Our Lord, Jesus Christ, did not agree with all with whom he came into contact. Much of the time, he did not agree, yet he still loved them in spite of their disagreement. This is what we are called to do.
In Luther’s Small Catechism, the eighth commandment, “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor” is explained like this, “We should fear and love God so that we do not betray, slander, lie, or gossip about our neighbors, but defend them, speak well of them, and put the most charitable construction on all that they do.” It is that last part in which I find the greatest hope. How often do we not put a charitable construction on the words of those with whom we disagree? How simple, yet how hard. Anyone that knows the history of Martin Luther would know that he often failed in this, also. Notwithstanding, the truth of the sentiment drove him and should drive us. I know that I have failed here and any one of us, if being truly honest, would find the same to be true. Yet, it does not excuse us to continue to fail.
The beauty of our faith is that when we fail, we are afforded the opportunity to confess and receive forgiveness. 1 John 1:8-9 says this,
“If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:8–9, ESV)
I have known and know those that like to shake their heads and wag their fingers at people engaged in sin with which they disagree while justifying the sins in their own lives. I have also known and know people who like to act as if their sins are not sin and should be justified because it is their own expression of who they are meant to be. Sin is sin and we all are caught up in sin in one way or another. The only true forgiveness comes when we confess and are relieved from guilt. The relief of guilt does not justify the sin nor does it justify the perpetuation of the sin, it only relieves the burden for the last iteration of the sin. For example, if I speak a wrong work to my children or spouse in anger just because I repent and ask for forgiveness for doing so does not justify the wrong word or the anger that I held nor does it offer me forgiveness for future failings. Forgiveness is the immediate relief from the burden of the sin as I seek to restore and reconcile with the one who I hurt. If I unintentionally do something, the same is true. Forgiveness and justification are two different things and are mutually exclusive. We may be forgiven, but that does not justify the sin and if one seeks justification they are not seeking forgiveness. A righteous person is not self-righteous, but he or she is forgiven. A self-righteous person will find forgiveness to be a difficult thing to give because he or she will feel justified in his or her actions against those who have hurt them and will not truly seek to be forgiven.
I have forgiven a lot of people that have hurt me. I can not say that it is always easy and I won’t lie and say that I don’t from time to time feel the ache that is left from betrayal. The forgiveness that I feel has freed me from bitterness that comes with unforgiveness. That is the most difficult thing that I see in our age today is because of our anger at one another and the bitterness held is hidden behind a new banner of self-righteousness and justification instead of a humble banner of grace and forgiveness. People want to be justified to do what they see as fit instead of first humbly praying before God and seeking forgiveness for doing that which is not right before God. Many seek to justify themselves based on wrongs done in the past by those who felt justified in their own wrong doings based on their understanding instead of seeking reconciliation with the one true God. God does not wear a banner of blue or red. He is not as much concerned by the politics of the United States any more than any other portion of His creation because it is all His. The reality is that He truly loves all of His creation. He loved the people of Sodom and Gomorrah. Some may find that strange to think about. Love is not approval. God will redeem those who He has chosen. Our calling, as followers of Christ, is not to justify, but to humble ourselves and be comforted by the promises of redemption, and proclaim the Truth revealed to us in Scripture.
The greatest illness of our country and our world is the same that we find in the time of the Judges which states repeatedly, “They did what was right in their own eyes because they had no king.” God desires to be the King of all of our lives and we are called to seek out and do His will even when it may not be in line with our own desires. This is a difficult reality, but one which can bring much peace and relief once lived out. The issues of our world are but a symptom of what has plagued humanity since the Fall. We desire to be our own god and believe what is right in our own eyes instead of what God has revealed to us as His desire. As followers of Christ, we are not called to wag our fingers or shake our heads. Nor are we called to call for the eternal punishment of those with whom we disagree. We can freely speak to the sins that we see before us, but only out of love for the other. If our hearts are guided in this love, then we may find that we can truly affect the world which we see fallen. God desires us first to be content in what He provides and seek less to be offended, but seek to be bearers of Christ and his forgiveness into a world that is sin sick and need of the one and only Savior. Let the love of our Lord Jesus Christ guide you in your love of all of his creation and be at peace. Amen.
One thing that has always bothered me is gossip. I’ve never really liked people talking about me to others and for that reason I try not to talk about others in the same way. I mean, I will share the piece of positive news about friends or that tidbit of information about friends that is meant to build them up or let others know that they need prayer, but if I don’t think it would be something someone wouldn’t want shared I won’t share it. I guess that was something I was taught. It seems though that this is not common any longer. Why is it that many people find it easier to talk about someone else’s failings and less about the Gospel of Jesus Christ? What is less offensive about saying something behind someone’s back than sharing the life giving Word that is the way, the truth, and the life? It doesn’t make much sense, yet we seem to continually light fires against others with our tongues while quenching the Holy Spirit at the same time. “I don’t want to offend…” is a common way to open a sentence, but often we find after those words comes a diatribe of words that can only be offensive. I was taught if you can’t say something to someone’s face it is better to not say it at all. It is a reminder of what Scripture speaks about and James reminds us in the 3rd chapter of his letter as he speaks of the tongue like an untameable thing that can spread fire. He also reminds us of the conundrum we create when out of our mouths that are meant to praise God comes curses. I have known many “good” people that when crossed say some of the most vile things. This is what James is speaking of when he speaks of does a salt water stream produce fresh water? Many people are more offended by profanity than they are by some of the profane things that we do to each other. We are called to be different, we are called to be more. We are called to be salt and light in the world. Unlike salt water, salt itself preserves. We are called to speak words that are life giving and support one another, offering correction privately and seeking to cover another’s shame. Let your mouth spring forth fresh, life giving water that refreshes all those with whom you come into contact.