WHEN APATHY UPSTAGES COMPASSION
"It's not my responsibility, you do it!" "No, I'm not going to do it, you should do it!" Sound familiar??? Think I'm talking about some teenagers--maybe your own, fighting over the dishes, or cleaning up the family room? Well, no, I'm not. I'm actually referring to the bigger mess we find our society in--the shoving match between the church and government, in America. It's what happens when apathy upstages compassion.
"The Footprints of satan" by Max Lucado
"Once He was approached by a leper, who knelt before Him begging His help. 'If only You will,' said the man, 'You can cleanse me.' In warm indignation Jesus stretched out His hand, and touched him. (Mark 1:40-41, NEB)
I was a victim in an emergency room late one night last week.
Victims of satan filled the halls. A child? Puffy, swollen eyes. Beaten by her father. A woman? Bruised cheeks, bloody nose. 'My boyfriend got drunk and hit me,' she said, weeping. Aon old man? unconscious and drunk on a stretcher. He drooled blood in his sleep. Jesus saw the victims of satan, too.
He saw a leper one day...fingers gnarled...skin ulcerated...face disfigured.
And He got indignant...angry.
Not a selfish, violent anger. A holy anger...
a controlled frustration...
a compassionate disgust. And it moved Him. It moved Him to action.
I'm convinced that the same satan stalks today,
causing the hunger in Somalia...
the confusion in the Mideast...
the egotism on the movie screen...the apathy in Christ's church.
And satan giggles among the dying.
Dear Father,
May we never grow so 'holy', may we never be so 'mature', may we never become so 'religious' that we can see the footprints of satan and stay calm."
There's a lot of noise and shouting back and forth about abortions and same sex marriage (and a whole host of other issues), right now. I am amazed that many evangelical Christians think it is the job of our government to regulate these things, for us. I am further troubled that we choose our candidates based on these one or two issues. The reason for my amazement is these are moral issues--not legal or legislative issues. If you give government the responsibility and the right to make decisions on one moral issue, then they have the right to decide others--think about that. Is that really what we want??? On the other hand, if we, as Christians, begin to "salt the earth", we can be compassionate witnesses in the earth, winning the people that we are so vehemently against. It is time for us to stop, and recognize that THEY are NOT our enemies. What they do--the behaviors they engage in, are a result of sin in the earth. They need deliverance--just as we did.
To become "Salt", we must change our methods. We cannot share a message of deliverance with them, while we mistreat, taunt or abuse them. We have to use the example of Christ. We must be "moved with compassion", as He was. It's time for us to change our outlook. We have to see these "problems" as opportunities. See these situations as new chances to propagate to Faith. So many of the people (in these hard places), are there because they are searching for something more--searching for God, but because many of us fell short, they found the wrong experience; now they are caught up in unimaginable circumstances. We have another chance, though. Are we willing to touch them with compassion, as Jesus did? They need and want God's loving, kind touch (they will feel Him, through you). Or, will you continue to debate and argue with them that their lifestyle is wrong or they are "baby killers"? It hasn't worked, yet, has it??? They already know that. They need to hear a different message. They need to receive a different touch, one that doesn't molest, hurt or want anything except to help and support. Like Jesus. What kind of touch do you have for the lost? What kind of words? Apathetic? Disgust? Judgmental? Or Compassionate? Loving? Kind?
Why are we trying to force government to legislate laws, based on Christian standards, that (let's face it) many "professing" Christians "can't" or don't live up to? I recognize that this country was founded on Judeo-Christian principles, but they didn't live the principles they set in place, then--or now. If they had, the ugliness of slavery and the barbaric mistreatment of Native Americans could not have occurred, but history assures us that it did, indeed happen--in all of its brutality. Yes, slavery occurred in the New Testament, and they were owned by Christians, but how were they treated--and commanded to treat them? A far cry from the the treatment Africans received during the Middle Passage and here in America. The early days of the United States were bloody. They are still bloody. There is still much hatred in existence today--and many more ways to spread it--it crosses many lines, race, religion, class, sex, and even within those groups, too!
The point I wish to make, is that government is NOT equipped to to fix spiritual/moral problems. Government cannot legislate change in the hearts of men and women. The only way to change hearts is through a relationship with God. Christians are equipped for that job! We are angry about same-sex marriage legislation being passed, but how many of our churches have homosexual's leading the choir or active in other parts of ministry? We want Roe vs. Wade overturned, yesterday, but what are you doing to help young women avoid having abortions in your assembly--they are having them; (because they can't bear the shame and for the same reasons that other women have them) what have we done to change that fact? Pastors and evangelists are struggling with issues of homosexuality and lesbianism (it's been in the news, it isn't a secret, anymore) and more. And the church remains SILENT and wants to focus on the smaller issue of same-sex marriage--and expect government to fix it! The issue is Homosexuality and lesbianism--and its roots. They are spiritual issues--strongholds. Who should handle that?
I will venture to say that churches are afraid to speak against the issue--as churches. As political party's it feels safer. In this country, most people are opposed to same-sex marriage, but remain silent. It is time for Christians to take a righteous stand--that means, become witnesses, compassionately. Spiritual/Moral issues do not belong in the hands of government--do you really want to entrust government with the future of our churches??? That is what we surrender when we ask them to decide these issues for us. We need to clean up our own house, personally and collectively; and then become devoted to witnessing the Gospel of Jesus Christ, throughout the earth.
When did Jesus ever complain to the Roman governor about the idolatry of the day, or the abuse of the people that occurred at the Temple (as they came to offer sacrifices)? It happened. Never do you read, in the Word, about Christ writing letters to Pilate or Caesar, demanding change! He met people who were in sin, at the point of their need. He ate in their homes, He tore up the tables of the moneychangers' at the Temple (mainly, because He tired of them cheating the people), He healed the people, He released them from their demonic prisons, He fed them, He taught them, He raised them from the dead, and He said, "greater works than these shall ye do...". Not better, just more; because we have more time. Look what Jesus accomplished with just about three and one half years of public ministry! What can we do? Choose....
If we don't choose to minister compassionately, as Christ did--please, don't even bother. You will do more harm, than good. Look at Jesus' life. See Him act; when He was "moved with compassion". The Word says, "He that winneth souls is wise...". Add compassion to your wisdom--wise soul winners have to be compassionate!
Be "moved with compassion", then and only then, are you ready to be a witness for Christ, in the earth!
"The Footprints of satan" by Max Lucado
"Once He was approached by a leper, who knelt before Him begging His help. 'If only You will,' said the man, 'You can cleanse me.' In warm indignation Jesus stretched out His hand, and touched him. (Mark 1:40-41, NEB)
I was a victim in an emergency room late one night last week.
Victims of satan filled the halls. A child? Puffy, swollen eyes. Beaten by her father. A woman? Bruised cheeks, bloody nose. 'My boyfriend got drunk and hit me,' she said, weeping. Aon old man? unconscious and drunk on a stretcher. He drooled blood in his sleep. Jesus saw the victims of satan, too.
He saw a leper one day...fingers gnarled...skin ulcerated...face disfigured.
And He got indignant...angry.
Not a selfish, violent anger. A holy anger...
a controlled frustration...
a compassionate disgust. And it moved Him. It moved Him to action.
I'm convinced that the same satan stalks today,
causing the hunger in Somalia...
the confusion in the Mideast...
the egotism on the movie screen...the apathy in Christ's church.
And satan giggles among the dying.
Dear Father,
May we never grow so 'holy', may we never be so 'mature', may we never become so 'religious' that we can see the footprints of satan and stay calm."
There's a lot of noise and shouting back and forth about abortions and same sex marriage (and a whole host of other issues), right now. I am amazed that many evangelical Christians think it is the job of our government to regulate these things, for us. I am further troubled that we choose our candidates based on these one or two issues. The reason for my amazement is these are moral issues--not legal or legislative issues. If you give government the responsibility and the right to make decisions on one moral issue, then they have the right to decide others--think about that. Is that really what we want??? On the other hand, if we, as Christians, begin to "salt the earth", we can be compassionate witnesses in the earth, winning the people that we are so vehemently against. It is time for us to stop, and recognize that THEY are NOT our enemies. What they do--the behaviors they engage in, are a result of sin in the earth. They need deliverance--just as we did.
To become "Salt", we must change our methods. We cannot share a message of deliverance with them, while we mistreat, taunt or abuse them. We have to use the example of Christ. We must be "moved with compassion", as He was. It's time for us to change our outlook. We have to see these "problems" as opportunities. See these situations as new chances to propagate to Faith. So many of the people (in these hard places), are there because they are searching for something more--searching for God, but because many of us fell short, they found the wrong experience; now they are caught up in unimaginable circumstances. We have another chance, though. Are we willing to touch them with compassion, as Jesus did? They need and want God's loving, kind touch (they will feel Him, through you). Or, will you continue to debate and argue with them that their lifestyle is wrong or they are "baby killers"? It hasn't worked, yet, has it??? They already know that. They need to hear a different message. They need to receive a different touch, one that doesn't molest, hurt or want anything except to help and support. Like Jesus. What kind of touch do you have for the lost? What kind of words? Apathetic? Disgust? Judgmental? Or Compassionate? Loving? Kind?
Why are we trying to force government to legislate laws, based on Christian standards, that (let's face it) many "professing" Christians "can't" or don't live up to? I recognize that this country was founded on Judeo-Christian principles, but they didn't live the principles they set in place, then--or now. If they had, the ugliness of slavery and the barbaric mistreatment of Native Americans could not have occurred, but history assures us that it did, indeed happen--in all of its brutality. Yes, slavery occurred in the New Testament, and they were owned by Christians, but how were they treated--and commanded to treat them? A far cry from the the treatment Africans received during the Middle Passage and here in America. The early days of the United States were bloody. They are still bloody. There is still much hatred in existence today--and many more ways to spread it--it crosses many lines, race, religion, class, sex, and even within those groups, too!
The point I wish to make, is that government is NOT equipped to to fix spiritual/moral problems. Government cannot legislate change in the hearts of men and women. The only way to change hearts is through a relationship with God. Christians are equipped for that job! We are angry about same-sex marriage legislation being passed, but how many of our churches have homosexual's leading the choir or active in other parts of ministry? We want Roe vs. Wade overturned, yesterday, but what are you doing to help young women avoid having abortions in your assembly--they are having them; (because they can't bear the shame and for the same reasons that other women have them) what have we done to change that fact? Pastors and evangelists are struggling with issues of homosexuality and lesbianism (it's been in the news, it isn't a secret, anymore) and more. And the church remains SILENT and wants to focus on the smaller issue of same-sex marriage--and expect government to fix it! The issue is Homosexuality and lesbianism--and its roots. They are spiritual issues--strongholds. Who should handle that?
I will venture to say that churches are afraid to speak against the issue--as churches. As political party's it feels safer. In this country, most people are opposed to same-sex marriage, but remain silent. It is time for Christians to take a righteous stand--that means, become witnesses, compassionately. Spiritual/Moral issues do not belong in the hands of government--do you really want to entrust government with the future of our churches??? That is what we surrender when we ask them to decide these issues for us. We need to clean up our own house, personally and collectively; and then become devoted to witnessing the Gospel of Jesus Christ, throughout the earth.
When did Jesus ever complain to the Roman governor about the idolatry of the day, or the abuse of the people that occurred at the Temple (as they came to offer sacrifices)? It happened. Never do you read, in the Word, about Christ writing letters to Pilate or Caesar, demanding change! He met people who were in sin, at the point of their need. He ate in their homes, He tore up the tables of the moneychangers' at the Temple (mainly, because He tired of them cheating the people), He healed the people, He released them from their demonic prisons, He fed them, He taught them, He raised them from the dead, and He said, "greater works than these shall ye do...". Not better, just more; because we have more time. Look what Jesus accomplished with just about three and one half years of public ministry! What can we do? Choose....
If we don't choose to minister compassionately, as Christ did--please, don't even bother. You will do more harm, than good. Look at Jesus' life. See Him act; when He was "moved with compassion". The Word says, "He that winneth souls is wise...". Add compassion to your wisdom--wise soul winners have to be compassionate!
Be "moved with compassion", then and only then, are you ready to be a witness for Christ, in the earth!
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