Doing Right While Being Done Wrong 4/1/2013

"But Jesus said to him, 'Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?'  When those who were around Him saw what was going to happen, they said, 'Lord, shall we strike with the sword?'  And one of them struck the slave of the high priest and cut off his right ear.  But Jesus answered and said, 'Stop! No more of this.' And He touched his ear and healed him." Luke 22:48-51

Almost without fail, our natural reaction to being offended or wronged is to retaliate. It is practically an automatic response.  The fact is that many parents, Christians among them, teach their children from the earliest age to hit back if someone hits them first, rather than "turn the other cheek."  This and other teaching builds into how we handle conflict as adults.

This said, it is not suggested that we should refrain from teaching our children to avoid conflict and/or defend themselves nor that we should not do similarly, however, offered for your consideration is the example of Jesus.  He was under near constant scrutiny, threat, persecution and intent to harm once he began his ministry in earnest.  Nevertheless, he never deviated from his mission to seek and save you and me.  Even as he was betrayed and accosted by soldiers with clubs and swords, he still advocated for peace and would see no one harmed despite what he faced.

Beloved, let us always think twice about how we react.  Let us remember the Christianity that we claim, the God that we serve, the Son who saves us and all of the thinking and behavior that goes with it.  Let us also consider the relative smallness of the things that cause us injury or offense, yet how easily and quickly we respond.  It is easy to talk the Christian talk but quite another thing to walk the Christian walk.  And though we may suffer in the name of the Lord personally, great good can come of it.  Peter wrote, "But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed.  Do not fear their threats; do not be frightened" 1 Pet 4:14.  He further states, "So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good" 1 Pet 4:19.  This is what Jesus did.

Committed,

Lee

Commitment 1/8/2013

“'Now therefore, put away the foreign gods which are in your midst, and incline your hearts to the Lord, the God of Israel.'  The people said to Joshua, 'We will serve the Lord our God and we will obey His voice.'” Joshua 24:23-24

At the O'Fallon Church of Christ, we have decided on the theme "Commitment" as our goal and guide in 2013.  The inspiration and launching pad for our journey (in part) is the following:

Joshua, in the midst of his farewell speech to the people of Israel, took time to remind first the elders, then the people themselves of their history and all that God had done for them.  He reminded them that God had done miraculous things for them and among them despite their proclivity towards serving other Gods.  He famously offered, "If it is disagreeable in your sight to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves today whom you will serve: whether the gods which your fathers served which were beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Josh 24:15).  In response to this, the people committed themselves to the Lord.

Beloved commitment is an interesting thing.  Most simply put, it involves heartfelt belief, a decision to act or behave based on that belief and the action itself.  As it relates to our spiritual lives, we have a professed belief in God.  Most who know us know this about us.  It easy to believe but what is belief without the proper decision?  James famously said in 2:19, "You believe that there is one God.  Good!  Even the demons believe that-and shudder."  Any decision to follow God based on our belief, must be backed up by action, otherwise it is just talk.  Herein lies commitment.

Joshua issued a challenge to the people of his time to make good their claims by putting away the idols that were even then in their midst and living their lives according to His commands.  The people did indeed keep their commitment and "served the Lord throughout the lifetime of Joshua and of the elders who out lived him and who had experienced everything the Lord had done for Israel" Josh 24:31.  Let us do as they did.  Let us commit ourselves to our heavenly Father and let it be seen in our words, thoughts and deeds.

Committed,

Lee