Be Like Christ
Meme courtesy of Sky McCracken
It’s been a heavy few weeks. Losing another friend and colleague to death (three in as many months), another friend having a near-miss at death, recent local controversy, ongoing denominational controversy amidst a major denominational meeting in a couple of weeks (of which I will be an integral part), all amidst the “usual grind?”
Boy, that trip to Ireland wore off quickly.
I needed to put my mind, body, and soul to rest today – something that would be quick, fairly easy – AND legal. That meant a motorcycle ride – so I took one. The wind washed away all the “stuff,” for at least a bit. When you’re solely concentrating on remaining upright and no one pulling a car out in front of you, you pretty much clear your mind of everything else.
A good friend and colleague of mine told me this morning, “Man, I don’t know who I disappoint more; people who used to think I’m progressive because I was still a Methodist, or those who think I’d become a fundamentalist once I was no longer a Methodist.”
Boy, I get that one. To quote one writer: “Today, Christians are splintered into many divisions and factions. Not only are we divided into numerous denominational camps, we’re divided by various and sundry political and cultural boundaries. For many, these boundaries are far more important than the denominational and doctrinal ones.”
Nobody is ever happy. Everyone wants a fight or controversy. That’s just the way it is.
WHATEVER position we take on ANY issue, including __________ (fill in the blank), some will immediately call into question your relationship with Jesus Christ and if we can possibly be an authentic Christian. The key word is “whatever.”
The apostle Paul even warned us about such and gave us a strategy: “I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people.” (Romans 16).
Paul was addressing early Christians who INSISTED: if you hadn’t been a Jew first, you couldn’t be a Christian; if you hadn’t been circumcised, you couldn’t be a Christian; if you were ritually unclean per the Law, you couldn’t be a Christian.
Nowadays, it would be: “If you aren’t a Republican/Democrat, you can’t be a real Christian… If you aren’t conservative/liberal, you can’t be a real Christian… If you don’t listen to classic rock/K-Love, you can’t be a real Christian.”
Am I a real Christian? One thing is for sure: I wouldn’t base the answer off anyone’s opinion, whether it be 2,000 years ago or this morning. Even though others may misapply the Word and Gospel message, I’ll still gladly claim the title Christian: “little Christ.” To quote Paul (again): Living is Christ. Dying is gain.
To the abyss with the rest. #DowntownForGood