True freedom costs…. And often, it costs life.
Man, I am so saddened by many in the Church today in our country. I believe we have come to a place where our lack of proper discipleship, lack of knowing scripture, and lack of submission to scripture are revealing themselves. WE ARE SELFISH PEOPLE WHO WANT WHAT WE WANT NO MATTER THE COST TO OTHERS.
It is funny the wise seem to remain silent, thinking there is little use to speak against the growing title wave of….??? Well, whatever you want to title it. The foolish seem to think they are so wise and seem never to concede no matter the truth that is laid bare before them, nor are they willing to be silent.
In fear of being the one who is foolish but never silent, I am hesitant to speak on our current times, yet I believe there are many things that we must consider when it comes to our country, COVID-19, our government, the Word of God, and our response.
We seem to be so confused about where our source of truth and belief comes from. We seem to be thinking and acting in such a way that would suggest we believe, "If I am a Christian, then what I think and what I feel about something is from God." AAHHH??? No. No. No! Just because you are a Christian and think something or feel something, that does not mean it is from God. In fact, likely if you think and feel something and you are living your life just doing what you think and what you feel, likely you are not... hear me now… you are likely not, following what God desires of you.
Eph 2:3 Reads...
3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath.
Note that following our desires and thoughts seldom leads to holiness. We need to guard against being deceived and make sure that no matter what we read or see before we jump on the feelings and desires train... before we jump on the "Hay I agree with that thinking" train, we take what we are seeing and hearing and we filter it through the Word of God. Just because you feel the same way, just because you think the same way as another Christian, does not mean you are walking and abiding in Jesus Christ. There have been many throughout history, even in the Bible, who have felt and thought they were doing God's work yet standing in direct opposition to Him. We must be careful to take every thought captive and submit it to the Word of God.
2 Corinthians 10:5
5 We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
That said, let me give you two pics of posts that I have seen this morning, and I hope you can see the irony in our (the Church’s) judgments. Note the incredible dysfunction we as Church seem to have towards what we are publicly standing for and perhaps in some cases foolishly fighting for in the name of Jesus.
Here is the first.
I support and understand her concerns. Note the subject, note the reason for consideration as a follower of Jesus Christ who loves all and desires all to come to know Him. In Christ, we are called to love every person and to consider the value of each life. We, in fact, are even called to put others above ourselves.
Philippians 2:3-4 read. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.
Yet, here is the second post
Note the irony. We, as Christians are annoyed, frustrated, even maybe righteously angry about… what does the first pictures heading read?... “I am against policies that erase safeguards for vulnerable people.” And yet, in the second post, a pastor and his Church are unwilling to hold several services. They are claiming they are fighting against the government for Jesus.
Perhaps more accurately is the truth stated by one person who supported this pastor’s actions, “this is really about pushing back about our civil liberties.” And I agree. That is what the activities of this pastor and his church are about; this is not really about Jesus. What is terribly sad is that we are mixing up our understanding of what it means to fight for our Canadian liberties and what it means to be a Christian.
Here is the point to all I am aiming at… Pastors because of our times have to give more of themselves, and truly give up their own lives in part to fulfil their calling to “not stop meeting together”… (Heb 10:24-25)… and also to “submit to the governing authorities”… (Rom 13:1-7 & Tit 3:1 & 1 Peter 2:13-16). Lets read these passages..
Hebrews 10-25
24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Romans 13:1-7
13 Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. 4 For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.
This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.
Titus 3:1
3 Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good,
1 Peter 2:13-16
13 Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human authority: whether to the emperor, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves.
See, there is a way for us as Church to do both, in both areas of scripture to adhere to the Word of God. But it costs a lot for our pastors and will cost our churches. But this is our calling and is the nature of what it means to be disciples of Jesus Christ.
Christian, you are first a citizen of heaven if you are in Christ. This world is not your home and to mix up your identity as a Canadian with your identity as a Christian is a grave mistake. Yes, you are a part of this earthly kingdom called Canada, and because of it, you have freedoms and rights, but don’t ever ignore, forget or confuse the truth that you are not your own in Christ. So, your fighting for your civil liberties in your earthly kingdom is not always fighting for Jesus. These are not unconditionally connected.
See, I believe that many are missing the more significant point of what Jesus did for us. At the heart of the Christian faith and the Word of God is this truth that freedom costs. And Jesus Christ, who was free, came to pay the penalty and take our slavery to sin and death and take it to the cross for us. Why? So we could have life. Jesus is the one who bore our punishment, our sickness, our sin… Recognize what this means. He gave up His rights, He gave up His freedom, and submitted himself to the Father’s will. In the Garden of Gethsemane, He said to the Father, “Not My will but yours be done.” Even further, if you look carefully, He also submitted himself to the authorities of His day… even unjustly. And why did He give up His freedom? Why did He give up His life? So that others could find life and liberty from sin.
Because of Jesus’ heart of love, He didn’t argue with the Father or fight the governing authorities, but instead, He gave up His rights and freedoms to go to the cross, carrying our slavery to sin and putting it to death. And guys, that is how those who follow Jesus Christ should live. Not fighting for our own rights but considering others and aiming to love others and listen now…. Listen now… We should be the first people willing to give up our rights and wants and live to show love and bring life. Why? Because it is at the very center of what Jesus Christ did for us. Yet, in many cases, we seem to be the least willing people to give up anything of our own.
Think about this... Ironically, most Christians are very against abortion, but in this COVID-19 situation, we are actually fighting for the same things that those who support abortion are fighting for. And what is that? Our own freedom to do life as we have always done life? That is so often the call from those who are pro-abortion. Many would claim that the mom has the right to live life uninterrupted by the inconvenience and burden of the unborn fetus that will, without question, continue to grow as a baby but will interrupt their lives, plans, wishes, and dreams… will interrupt their normal.
Yet, many of us Christians are seemingly fighting for our rights because we don’t like our lives and days being out of our control. We don’t want our plans being changed, our daily and monthly wishes and dreams discarded, our normal being interrupted.
Because of people’s selfish focus on their freedom and rights, the unborn young are in such incredible danger in our day. But the same is true today with this COVID-19 with the old. We know that it is not the young who are in the greatest danger from this virus but rather the old. Yet we say incredible unloving things like, “most COVID-19 related deaths are just that, they are COVID-19 related.” We try and argue that most of the deaths from COVID-19 are only COVID-19 related and that most of the older people who have died already had severe illnesses that were more of the reason they died. Somehow, we think this is an argument that shines Jesus’ everlasting love and kindness to suggest that those people would have died anyway and were merely just hurried along by COVID-19, so they don’t really matter or count. Do we hear ourselves? Yes, many have had preexistent health issues that combined with COVID-19 did in fact end their life. But the point we take from this should not be, that the old and sick are going to die anyway so its their problem.
Freedom always costs someone something. In wartime, freedom often costs the lives of the young men and women who fight for it. We have seen this throughout the history of man. But today, we see that the cost of our daily freedoms will be taxed not from the young but the old and the sick. Yes, these people are often fighting or even already dying from some preconditioned ailment.
But, Do you believe these people don’t matter?
Is helping them have even a couple more weeks with their loved ones, or having a couple more months, or even a couple more years not worth you giving up a little of your freedoms?
Does it show them love to do what we can to help them live a bit longer and spend a little more time with their families and friends?
Is it Jesus like to conclude that we who are younger need to get on with our lives, and being it’s the old who are most vulnerable and dying, they will have to figure it out for themselves?
Are we confused about what love is and what Jesus calls us to?
So the question is, am I willing to have my life interrupted? Have my plans, wishes and dreams… my normal changed a little so that those who are vulnerable can live a bit longer here on earth? Am I willing to give up a bit of my freedom so others can have life?
If I judge others harshly for not being willing to change their life a little in order to save a life I better be careful how I approach this COVID-19 issues. Yes, the life of a baby is generally thought of as more…???? Life? maybe more special? More sacred than an old person? But both are still life both should be treasured, both are sacred. Even the life of a sick person fighting for life is still life, and is still a gift from God who gives life, despite its struggles. Isn’t this what we as Christians believe?
So then, Am I ready to be and live a little more like Jesus Christ? Am I willing to give a little of my life to show others Jesus’ love just like Jesus give up His life showing us His love?
I listed some scripture passages above, Romans 13:1-7 and 1 Peter 2:13-16, but what is interesting is what you find in reading just a little past what I posted in these passages
Romans 13:8-10
8 Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,” and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbour as yourself.” Love does no harm to a neighbour. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
1 Peter 2:17-21
17 Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honour the emperor. Slaves, in reverent fear of God submit yourselves to your masters, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are harsh. For it is commendable if someone bears up under the pain of unjust suffering because they are conscious of God. But how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable before God. To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps.
Let us walk in love, and like Christ, who is our example, let us not be caught up in enduring suffering for what is wrong but let us endure suffering for what is right and what shows love.
Now, to those who would ask, “Does this mean we shouldn’t stand up for our civil liberties?” No, I believe we should fight for our civil liberties. But, we must understand when we are fighting for things connected to this earthly kingdom and our citizenship here on earth and in contrast when we are fighting for things related to our heavenly kingdom and our citizenship in heaven. Guarding against mixing these is incredibly important. Thinking we are fighting for God when indeed we are just fighting for ourselves and our own personal civil liberties is dangerous juice. We need be very carful not to think we are fighting with God at our back when really He is at work doing something completely different. The passage that we like to go to in times like these is, “If God is for us who can stand against us.” But God can, and He will if we are not carful. God is more concerned about his Children and the lost souls that He cherishes and loves and desires to bring into His Kingdom through Jesus Christ. Yes, He is in control of all thing but let us make sure that we understand the difference between God’s purposes and heavily things and our own purposes and earthly things.
Philippians 3:19-21
Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.
I believe it is apparent that if you are not considering others more significant than yourself, you are not truly fighting for heavenly things. If you are not considering first the vulnerable and the week in your fight, you are not truly fighting for the things of heaven. Even if they are by far the minority, I believe that they are cherished and loved just the same in God's eyes. God leaves the 99 to find the one lost sheep. Yes, in contexed, this is talking about salvation, but I believe it speaks to a clear pattern throughout scripture that shows God’s heart for the week and vulnerable. The fact that many of us don’t have that same intuitive heart in God’s Church today is of great concern.
To speak quickly on those suffering from the lockdown, depression, loneliness, fear, unemployment, and the like. Just getting everything back to normal is not how we are going to save the lost for Jesus. Note that before COVID-19 hit, most people were not finding their solution to life and peace with God in the Church. So getting Church services back to normal isn’t the solution. And yes, the hope is that we can push to get everything back to normal, but what if God aims to shake people’s thinking and shake their perspective on who is genuinely in control of life? Many are struggling right now, but people are also likely more open to looking for a new place to find hope, looking for true love, and real solutions for life that doesn’t just num the mind and distract the heart. Those are the things that our culture has been, can I say, normalized on for years. God is stripping away our distractions, and I believe showing many of us that they genuinely didn’t satisfy. I believe, what people are experiencing, though many are not understanding, is that what they have been living their lives for is not providing them with lasting hope. They were too distracted before to see it, but it is being made clear now. Our sports, gone. Our shows and concerts, gone. Our meetings and get-togethers and social activities, gone. Perhaps we shouldn’t be fighting the government but spending our time and focus on figuring out how to reach out to these people who, perhaps for the first time in their first-world lives, are genuinely looking for hope and love and are open to it like never before?
I end with this. I also believe that there is grace, forgiveness, and love for all of us who believe yet who fail at living for Jesus Christ as He deserves. I am one who daily takes part in the grace of God for not being all I should be and loving as I should. In the end, my righteousness, like all who believe, is not dependent on my works, or on the things I do right or even the things I do wrong. My rightness is dependent entirely on the truth that Jesus lives in me. He is my righteousness. Because of this truth and because of His love, even though I fail, I aim with all my heart to walk ever closer to Him each day. I aim to please Him with my life and actions, and I know I am forgiven when I fail. Because of this reality, I know that as Christians, we can have differing views but still find and rest in our unity in Jesus Christ, who is OUR Lord and Saviour. We can do this because Jesus Christ was willing to give up His freedom and bore the cost so we can have true life and unity in Him. Let us aim to live in Him and take every feeling, every thought captive and submitting it to the Spirit of God and the Word of God as we strive to live as lights to this nation as the People of God.
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