Which Jesus Do We Follow?
Posted: Thursday, February 12, 2009
by Judi Lake
Judi Lake Advertising
I have skimmed through
various posts on the Internet that have clearly misunderstood [some] Christians who have chosen
to take an activist role within society. Since I can only speak for myself, I
would like to share some thoughts on this vulnerable topic.
Within a very short time, I
have witnessed an extremely "dysfunctional society" arise within believers.
Since the election, I have observed relationships dissolve and hatred spew
louder than thunder.
I have heard the term
racist used more than one calls out for candy.
And I have seen scripture
used for convenience.
For those who stand up for Truth many shake their heads in anger while the "accepted" skirt on issues
tainted with a worldly perspective.
To quote Marvin [Gaye], "What's
goin on?"
Recently, I penned an article
entitled, "Choosing To Be Politically In-Correct." Within it, I wrote,
"...At
the very moment I am writing this, I think of the division within our country
as well as our new administration. Certainly being pro-life immediately
alienates me from this new administration...
...In
order to bring about a transformation in our nation from a culture of death to
a culture of life, we must first restore our own personal Christian identities
and bravely live our lives in such a way that will bear true witness to what we
profess to believe in and live by.
We
must be conscious that the moral framework of our beliefs hardly ever fit the
ideologies of any political party. Our values are often not "politically
correct" but, as true believers, it is not only our right, but our
responsibility to speak out on moral issues that go against our Gods
teachings...."
To my surprise, I've received a
tremendous amount of affirming e-mails from, of all places, the middle east. The wonder of the internet is amazing: with a click of a
button, the world immediately becomes your audience!
Is there a motive in my
writing? No, I pen personal thoughts mainly to purge my own soul. If there are
responses or not, it is not within my control. I have never written to convince
anyone of anything.
I am, however, called more
and more to speak against what is unacceptable to Truth. To assume that a Christian is
to remain silent is absurd. Amidst our "anything goes society," is an
extremely thin line between what is deemed right and wrong and I believe it is
important, especially in these days, for Christians to take a stand after all...
God is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow.
In other words, within
Christianity there are no "greys." If we do not speak up, then we are accomplices that make us just as guilty as the
guilty.
To think the division we
are experiencing is limited to politics is naive. Jesus clearly speaks to us
when He says, "Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth?
No, I tell you, but rather division." (Luke 12:51).
Before Holy Communion,
Catholics pray, "Lord Jesus Christ, you said to your apostles: I leave you
peace, my peace I give you." So when we read, "Do you think that I
have come to establish peace on the earth? No, I tell you, but rather
division," we know that Jesus is making reference to what is called a
false peace, one in which relationships are not harmonious. Jesus will have
nothing to do with such unions -- He will split them apart out of love
and for the sake of truth.
In another article, I had
written, "...The human condition that we are steeped in is ambiguous. Choices, at
times, have to be made that in fact cause division and pain. We need but note
the work of the following Christians: Dietrich Bonhoeffer, involved in a plot
to assassinate Hitler; Martin Luther King, Jr., in his ministry to secure human
rights; Thomas Merton in his stand against nuclear war; Dorothy Day, who fought
against the status quo that kept so many in radical poverty. All of them
came to bring not peace, but division.
These disciples of Christ fought for the "big" peace, the Kingdom of God.
...God's word is a two-edged
sword. God's word admonishes us in our sin; God's word consoles us in our
desolation. God's Word -- Jesus -- is the divine instrument bringing us to
life, even if, momentarily, our peace is disturbed. When Jesus looked across
the night fire into Peter's eyes, we can feel the division of that glance.
Unlike Judas who saw only his betrayal of Jesus, Peter saw within that gaze the
eyes of compassion and forgiveness...."
I conclude with my opening question:Which Jesus do we follow?
2009 Judi Lynn Lake.
The following video, My
Jesus Todd Agnew/ Passion of the Christ, courtesy of You Tube.
Great article, clear thinking, well-expressed. Perhaps in the scripture where Christ says that He did not come to bring peace, we could use the word "apathy" instead of the word peace. This may be a better translation, although I never really thought about it much until you brought it to our attention.Thank you for a great article.Good thought, David. And thanks for your comments - you humble me with your kindness.
Thanks for a challenging article Judy.Hi Steve! Conscious that my messages have clearly created many who previously supported me to be uncomfortable, I truly appreciate your comments. Please know that I think of you and hope you're doing well and... that you write some more! The very best to you to you and yours, Steve!
Ethel my dear, I miss you!This slipped by me, just thought I would click on your name and wha-la! I found this great read. Thanks for sharing your heart. I am blessed and encouraged. Love, L
Dear Judi, I, too, feel we as Christians are commanded to take a stand, and stand with and for our Lord. The Bible says if we deny Him before the world, then He will deny us in Heaven. I feel we as a nation have some rough times ahead of us. I realize that down through history mankind has met and dealt with all manner of hardships and trouble, but this seems different. Your articles are all inspiring and give us hope and yet offer up some very important issues to challenge us. God bless.Hello Judy - Yes, I do believe very strongly that Christians must not be quiet especially during these God-less times we are living in. Thank you for your kind comments - I no longer write for this site as it seems the challenging issues brought up are not welcome however it is up to all of us to bring up such issues and stand up for Truth. Like yourself, I too feel that there are very rough days ahead and it will be our children who suffer. God bless you, Judy and thanks again.
You can dress politics in religious fervor, but you can't hide it Judi.
"Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division." ....and, in your words, I have seen Scripture used for convenience.
How often war and divisiveness begin with "Truth" spelled with a capital "T".
Anonymous Rex
Would like to see more postings like this one! Maybe there is room for those of us who identify with Peter (foot in mouth) - I agree that we need to speak up and speak out. Thanks for writing this one! Marijo (Mary Jo)
