Sticks and Stones hurt: Words condemn and deny!

It's sad that the source of much of the cruelest 'anti Christian' utterances I encounter comes from the lips of those who consider themselves to be Christian!

You probably know those of whom I speak - they live alongside you, probably wearing a fish badge, cross or some other Christian symbol (and a fish on the car too).

The problem lies in that what they say isn't Christian (even though it might sound it) and the fruit of their finger-pointing condemnation is the wounding of people and the very denial of what Christianity is about.
They mean well (so did Hitler, as my Dad used to say!) and are often repeating what they hear from the pulpits in their 'heaven assured' gatherings.

Sadly (or is that thankfully?) wrong opinions are not restricted to 'Christians' as some experiences over the past week shows for:

I heard someone talking about how Eastern Europeans are the new 'people of colour' (not quite how they said it!) and they seemed offended that I was offended by that view!

I found those who mastered in the fine art of the ad hominem - the ability to tear down and discount others because they live in the wrong place (physically and spiritually) were unemployed, addicted, marginalised and the like.

I heard those who claim to be Christian proclaiming that '_____________' [insert issue] was THE defining sin!

Having defined the 'one true defining sin' they droned on about how God would whip the sinners behindsides and how they (the sinners) were going to burn in hell (have to define who 'they' is because I'm not so sure who the burnees are going to be).

Here's my thesis statement*:

'Jesus came into the world to save sinners+.'

These words, from 1 Timothy 1.15, sit well with so many of those who like to proclaim God's mercy towards a fallen and sinful world. What makes it better is that the words come from Paul (so they must be right)!

Betterer still is that the words are, as Paul tells us, 'trustworthy' and ought to be made our own. Add to this thinking the words of John 3.16 (which explicitly states that Jesus came not to condemn but redeem sinners) and we have guidance in the way that we (as Christians) deal with, and relate to, those who are caught in sin (and aren't we all?)!

For those us you who like to point at 'sinners'. What we should be saying is:

 'These are the very people Jesus came into the world to save and reconcile to God - not condemn!'

(please note - this does not make us 'permissive' - inclusive and loving Church is not permissive)

I'm assuming we don't want to deny salvation to them and go against the Boss, do we?  So here's what we do when we see 'sinners' - It's a great piece of Pauline teaching (don't get excited - nothing to do with women's ministry):

When we see someone sinning, we:

i. Check our own life (Matt 7 helps a bit here too in limiting hypocrisy with regard to judging).

ii. Make sure we know what the sin is and understand why the person is doing it and try to understand them (and form a relationship if we can).

iii. Find out what the Bible says about 'the sin' and when we understand that we're equipped to dialogue with them biblically.

iv. GENTLY! Don't rush in waving our Bible and condemning people - remember that righteous anger is merely anger packaged up to make us appear holy when often we are not!

v. Look to restore them - not condemn (or make yourself look right) - and reconcile them to God.

vi. Continuously examine ourselves - our motives, actions and the sinful person we are to ensure that opportunities for a wrong mindset are minimised and the potential for a Christlike heart and maximised.

vii. Lead the 'sinners' to a place where engagement and dialogue can be enacted and change and learning (them and us) can take place.

So give it a go: Get it right and we'll bring others into a relationship with God. Do it wrongly and we invite the condemnation of the Church (and of Christ) because of our cruel and self-righteous hypocrisy.

Happy Friday Folks


* Yes, you were right all those years ago William, it is the opening statement!
+ 'Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners . . .'

Do clergy have the right to pass by?

One of the interesting comments that continually challenges me is that which asks whether, as a cleric, I have the right to comment on things that I see wrong. My response is that I, as a citizen and as a Christian, have a duty to comment on and seek to resolve issues and situations that are contrary to the rule of law and the common good.

In this nation of ours the police do their job by consent rather than by force. They don't carry firearms or impose martial law but maintain the standards that society consider to be acceptable. We set the benchmarks and the laws seek to ensure that that level of behaviour is maintained come from that.

The problem is that we live in a world where limited morality (ie. there are always naughty people) and variable morality (ie. we all make exceptions and work on the basis of  'natural justice - had it coming' at some time) are to be found. This means that if we see something wrong and refrain from commenting and/or seeking to stop that wrong being enacted the we are condoning it and are, in effect, working to change the levels of acceptability.

Confused? Let me give a couple of examples:

i. A really lovely 'christian' person I know is happy to walk by when bad behaviour is engaged upon on the grounds of 'live and let live / none of my business'. Were whatever they saw affect them then they would act purely because it causes them distress or discomfort. This NIMBY* approach to life is one of the most frustrating I come across because the morality is variable and society, and the rule of law, are weakened.

ii. The, 'I don't have the right to comment - I don't want to be judgemental,' approach to life. I have real problems with this because it isn't taking a path of peace, its giving permission for people to be wrong and behave wrongly. This is the weak and rather than 'non-judgemental' approach people claim it to be, is the path to destruction of society, church and all stations in between.

We need to decide what is acceptable and work to maintain it - when we don't then we are the people who bear the responsibility for the decline in standards that people love to stop and talk to me about.

AND

If this is the duty of the 'ordinary\ citizen (is there such a thing?) then how much more are we whop acknowledge Jesus as Lord called to maintain the standards in our own lives and and to uphold the values and standards that society demands?

So, if you see that it's wrong - speak out.

If you are scared - then get someone who is paid to speak out (we call these Street Wardens, PCSOs, Vicars**, Police Officer) - but don't let it continue.

If you are one of those who complain at falling standards and say nothing and look the other way when same is visible then sad to say - you're actually the root of the problem.

Not going to be popular this, is it?





*Not In My Back Yard
**Because, of course, the same rules apply in church too!

When wanting to be 'me' is compelling

Am I the only person out there who struggles with the old nature? Do you hear the words of a parent or other influential person, even though they might no longer be with us, cheer you on to even scores and 'get them before they get you'?

So often I tell young men and women that, even when they have decided they don't want to be theists there are two sound principles by which living, if they are accepted and embraced, is made wholesome and just.

The first of these is to be found in Matt 7.12//Lk 6.31: 'Do to others as you would have them do to you'.

The second of these is concerned with the way we judge others and again we turn to Matt 7.1//Lk6.37 where we find what becomes:

'Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged... Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.'

It is so easy to retreat back into the old nature when feeling threatened. So simple to justify yourself with the, 'Well they started it!' approach to judging behaviour. The reality is that when the going gets tough the weak get judging and lashing out and demanding and ...

Well I'm sure you know what I mean.

So here's a tip from a Bloke by the name of Paul from Romans 12.2:

'Don't copy the way the world lives but let God change you into someone new person by changing the way you think. If you do this then you will find you know the way God has planned for you to be and you'll find it is pleasing, fulfilling, good and perfect. So what are you waiting for?'

Well?

Thought for the Day: Loathe one another!

For such a small bunch - the folk of Westboro Baptist church come in for a great deal of attention if the conversations I have are anything to go by. It seems this small and rather sad bunch of people are engaged in taking the message of god to the world and the sad thing is that the message, and the god they have, is of their own making and the fruit of their hatred and vitriolic proclamations is the very fate that they pour upon others.

The Bible tells us (Matt 7) that as we judge we too will be judged - using the same measure and means! Not only that but the Bible adds, for very good measure, this commandment (John 13):

'Love one another. In the same way I loved you, you love one another. 

This is how everyone will recognise that you are my disciples -

when they see the love you have for each other.'

Obviously this isn't what we see when we look at Westboro and it soon becomes very clear that whoever they are following - it sure ain't Jesus, for (returning to Matthew 7) because (as it so clearly states: 'by their fruits will you know them!'

You don't get apples from a thorn bush - you don't get hate and vile proclamations from Christians!

So whether you have a faith or not

love one another, be kind and take care that you don't sow the wrong seeds in your life.

Happy Friday