Today was yet another illustration of how unplugged can equal deeper thought.
At the end of school today, I received an email from a parent with a concern about a conversation that took place in school. The parent's objection was based on their religious beliefs, not any civil rights or Department of Homeland Security issues. As one point in the conversation it was intimated that issue might be taken to a more public forum. While I certainly support that parent's right to free speech and open debate, it got my brain churning.
Since the weather was nice today, I had ridden my motorcycle to school. Consequently I had to ride it home, and since it was a perfect evening for a ride, I took the loooooooooong way home. Since I was on 2-wheels there was no radio, no phone calls, and no Siri prompts. Just me, my brain, and the Still Small Voice.
As I pondered my after-school parent conversation, I began to wonder if there were any instances where Jesus had publically protested, picketted, or boycotted the government or any of its institutions. I could not recall any. In fact, he taught supporting the government when he spoke in Matthew, "Show me the coin used for paying the tax.” They brought him a denarius, and he asked them, “Whose image is this? And whose inscription?”
“Caesar’s,” they replied.
Then he said to them, “So give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.” Paul wrote in Romans, "Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God."I realize that there would be a time for civil disobedience- the Nazi regime, a government that condoned slavery, etc., but even then, Jesus did not denounce the Roman government which could be very cruel and unjust. Why not? I believe it was because he knew that until the Church's foremost responsibilities were sharing the Gospel, loving the Believer and nonbeliever alike, and caring for the "widows and orphans".
Why is abortion an issue? Maybe not enough Christian couples are willing to adopt. Maybe not enough mothers and fathers raised their children in a church were a Christian worldview was taught.
Why is the gay agenda gaining so much traction? Perhaps too many Christians watched "Soap", a popular sitcom in the mid-1970s with an openly gay character, or purchase the products advertised on "Modern Family".
Climate change real or a liberal hoax? Perhaps that would not be an issue if more Christians consumed less, purchased more fuel-efficient vehicles, and lived in small houses.
I am not passing judgement on any of the topics just discussed. That is not the point of this entry. My point is that many Christians are quick to judge, condemn, post on FB, and blame the liberal media without looking at how their personal and collective choices have created the very society they rail against.
Call the newspaper. Organize a protest. Start a movement. But what about soul-baring prayer time, uncomfortable fasting times, or gut-wrenching quiet times with Father God? If we are to follow Christ's example we would concern ourselves more with personal spiritual growth, training our children in the Way, and loving the very people we rail against.
If Jesus never called the Roman Latin Daily perhaps we should reevaluate how we interact with society and its "ills".
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