PHARISEE'S IN THE HOUSE
Most of us are familiar with the evils of the system of Apartheid that existed in South Africa for many years. Even today, many experience the aftershocks of that wicked and damnable system. Under Apartheid, only European whites were completely free, in South Africa. Indians, no matter what their education and accomplishments could not travel freely without "papers" and were still subject to harrassment. Blacks suffered far more--being even darker. They were forced to live in crowded townships, only allowed to leave to work for the European whites (who couldn't survive without their labors). When they began to demand their rights as citizens, they were beaten, jailed and brutally murdered--sound familiar?
These evils aren't limited to people of color either--remember Adolph Hitler? He was so fixated on creating the "perfect" race of blond-haired, blue-eyed people with no "imperfections". They should all have a particular nose and jaw line, and none could have diseases--particularly inherited ones, or mental deficiencies, not just retardation, but depression, or melancholy, either. So, they killed the "imperfect" ones and started kidnapping what they considered "perfect" babies from surrounding countries like Poland and Austria and cared for them by select women until they came of age. The boys then were trained for Hitler's army and the girls became breeders.
In the Far East, there still exists a caste system--many deny the evils of it still occur, but those at the bottom live it daily. In Hinduism, there is a caste system that is tied directly to their belief system. The Untouchables or "Outcastes" are regarded as not only beneath the other's in the system--but completely outside of the caste. Within the caste system, are the Sudras (black), they are the laborers. Above the Sudras, are the Vaisyas, (brown) they are the farmers, merchants and artisans. A step above the Vaisyas are the Ksatriyas, they are the warriors and rulers. And, finally, at the top of the caste are the Brahmins (white), they are the priests and teachers. Notice, the Untouchables don't even have opportunity to work. No opportunity to provide for themselves or their families. According to the Bhagavad Gita, the only way to reach the top is through self-harmony and inner peace. Hmmmm....
I'm sure you're thinking all of this makes Jesus see red, and worse! Me, too. I have another point to make though; how different are we, in the church? Most of us aren't "at the top either," (only a select few--who meet certain criteria) with our own version of caste systems. Most of us are absolutely appalled at all of these evils and the hatred that causes men to treat other men in such damnable ways; but I question if we are not guilty of the same--only in more subtle ways. Subtilty is one of the enemies best tricks--because it is often missed. We recognize the elephant about to trample us, but what about the little fox?
I know that many will disagree with me. I know that many may agree, but won't be willing to admit that there is truth to what I have said, because there is a consequence to making a change--it's unpopular. Still, I write it, in the hope that those who are honest, will search themselves and ask God if they have been guilty of this, and repent.
My point for including the above information, is that we have to be so careful in our treatment of one another as brothers and sisters in the Body of Christ. We must ensure that we do not develop (consciously or unconsciously) a "caste system" of our own making, within the church. I meant to say church, and not Church--because the Church, the true Body of Christ will have no such divisions! (1. Cor. 12:25) That Church will have leaders, pastors, preachers and teachers whose hearts are turned toward the people of God--not just spiritually, but in totality. And that burden cannot rest only on the leaders, but it rests upon the shoulders of us ALL. In turn, we must do what we can to help shoulder the burden of our leaders in prayer, in attitude, in cooperation and in the minute details of life. What is it that we can do to help minimize the burden of another? DO IT! For in the doing of it, you have helped to carry the Cross of Christ!
I wonder often, how is it that we recognize global injustices of the Hindu caste system, Apartheid, racism, lack of women's rights under the Taliban, and yet not see injustice in our own churches? When we don't address it, it affects more than Sunday morning, it affects our homes, our communities, our witness, our spirit, our emotions and our health overall.
What can we do? Repent. Resolve, today that no longer will you use whatever position God gave you to rule/lord over another. Always use the ministry for the upbuilding of God's people. Many use titles improperly--to keep people separate, not realizing that those titles call us to a position of servanthood--not only to God, but to His people. I think, so many times we forget that before we were deacon, elder, bishop, evangelist or even apostle, we were first and foremost BROTHER. I plead with my brothers and sisters in ministry, don't abuse the privilege and responsibility that God entrusted you with toward His people (they don't belong to you). Everyone that you damage with your arrogance, your elite systems, or your unkind words pierces Him afresh.
In 1. Corinthians 12, we are reminded that the One Body has many members--my part (or your part) in the Body, doesn't make either of us more important or less important. Respect is due to the office, but sometimes we take that too far--and when we do, we set our beloved leaders up for failure. We must not glory in the flesh--it's all temporary, but our relationship as brothers in Christ will last forever. Let's renew that bond, before He comes....
"Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I AM NOTHING. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing."
Motives really do matter; and your heart is showing.
These evils aren't limited to people of color either--remember Adolph Hitler? He was so fixated on creating the "perfect" race of blond-haired, blue-eyed people with no "imperfections". They should all have a particular nose and jaw line, and none could have diseases--particularly inherited ones, or mental deficiencies, not just retardation, but depression, or melancholy, either. So, they killed the "imperfect" ones and started kidnapping what they considered "perfect" babies from surrounding countries like Poland and Austria and cared for them by select women until they came of age. The boys then were trained for Hitler's army and the girls became breeders.
In the Far East, there still exists a caste system--many deny the evils of it still occur, but those at the bottom live it daily. In Hinduism, there is a caste system that is tied directly to their belief system. The Untouchables or "Outcastes" are regarded as not only beneath the other's in the system--but completely outside of the caste. Within the caste system, are the Sudras (black), they are the laborers. Above the Sudras, are the Vaisyas, (brown) they are the farmers, merchants and artisans. A step above the Vaisyas are the Ksatriyas, they are the warriors and rulers. And, finally, at the top of the caste are the Brahmins (white), they are the priests and teachers. Notice, the Untouchables don't even have opportunity to work. No opportunity to provide for themselves or their families. According to the Bhagavad Gita, the only way to reach the top is through self-harmony and inner peace. Hmmmm....
I'm sure you're thinking all of this makes Jesus see red, and worse! Me, too. I have another point to make though; how different are we, in the church? Most of us aren't "at the top either," (only a select few--who meet certain criteria) with our own version of caste systems. Most of us are absolutely appalled at all of these evils and the hatred that causes men to treat other men in such damnable ways; but I question if we are not guilty of the same--only in more subtle ways. Subtilty is one of the enemies best tricks--because it is often missed. We recognize the elephant about to trample us, but what about the little fox?
I know that many will disagree with me. I know that many may agree, but won't be willing to admit that there is truth to what I have said, because there is a consequence to making a change--it's unpopular. Still, I write it, in the hope that those who are honest, will search themselves and ask God if they have been guilty of this, and repent.
My point for including the above information, is that we have to be so careful in our treatment of one another as brothers and sisters in the Body of Christ. We must ensure that we do not develop (consciously or unconsciously) a "caste system" of our own making, within the church. I meant to say church, and not Church--because the Church, the true Body of Christ will have no such divisions! (1. Cor. 12:25) That Church will have leaders, pastors, preachers and teachers whose hearts are turned toward the people of God--not just spiritually, but in totality. And that burden cannot rest only on the leaders, but it rests upon the shoulders of us ALL. In turn, we must do what we can to help shoulder the burden of our leaders in prayer, in attitude, in cooperation and in the minute details of life. What is it that we can do to help minimize the burden of another? DO IT! For in the doing of it, you have helped to carry the Cross of Christ!
I wonder often, how is it that we recognize global injustices of the Hindu caste system, Apartheid, racism, lack of women's rights under the Taliban, and yet not see injustice in our own churches? When we don't address it, it affects more than Sunday morning, it affects our homes, our communities, our witness, our spirit, our emotions and our health overall.
What can we do? Repent. Resolve, today that no longer will you use whatever position God gave you to rule/lord over another. Always use the ministry for the upbuilding of God's people. Many use titles improperly--to keep people separate, not realizing that those titles call us to a position of servanthood--not only to God, but to His people. I think, so many times we forget that before we were deacon, elder, bishop, evangelist or even apostle, we were first and foremost BROTHER. I plead with my brothers and sisters in ministry, don't abuse the privilege and responsibility that God entrusted you with toward His people (they don't belong to you). Everyone that you damage with your arrogance, your elite systems, or your unkind words pierces Him afresh.
In 1. Corinthians 12, we are reminded that the One Body has many members--my part (or your part) in the Body, doesn't make either of us more important or less important. Respect is due to the office, but sometimes we take that too far--and when we do, we set our beloved leaders up for failure. We must not glory in the flesh--it's all temporary, but our relationship as brothers in Christ will last forever. Let's renew that bond, before He comes....
"Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I AM NOTHING. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing."
Motives really do matter; and your heart is showing.
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