Social Attitudes and U.S. Government: Where is my focus?

Scripture: Mark 7:15

I was going through some old notes and came across this thought about where my focus should be. Should I spend time fighting against things that our preachers tell us is wrong with the social attitudes and government of the United States, or is it better to focus on what is wrong with me?

I think many Christians stay too focused on fighting against social attitudes and governmental public policy when we should be looking at our own hearts to address the stupidity rooted in our own attitudes and policies. In other words, we need to remove the log in our own eyes before we remove the splinter out of someone else's eye.

Just a thought.

It's personal.

Scripture: Luke 20:20-26 (NIV)

Observation: Because they thought he was making them look bad, the teachers of the law and chief priests appointed spies to watch Jesus and find something they could use either to discredit him or have him arrested. They didn't have much luck just watching, so they decided to raise the stakes. The spies began looking for opportunities to trick Jesus into answering questions that would have “wrong” answers no matter how he answered. (Kind of like asking someone, “So, do you still beat your wife?”)

They thought they had him in a hard spot by asking him whether or not it was right for the Jews to pay taxes to Ceasar. It didn't matter whether he answered “yes” or “no;” either answer would give them a reason to criticize him or have him arrested by the Romans. Jesus, of course, knew what they were trying to do. He astonished them by giving them an answer they had never even considered -- an answer that could not be twisted against him. He showed them a Roman coin with the portrait and inscription of Ceasar. His answer still rings through the ages as loud and clear today as the day he spoke it: “Give to Ceasar what is Ceasar's, and to God what is God's.”

Application: This is one of my favorite scripture passages. It causes me to stand in awe of Jesus and love him all the more. Many times, I hear similar questions asked by people who are not really looking for an answer. What they actually want is an argument, or an excuse to justify not surrendering and submitting themselves to him. They ask questions such as: “Is God going to condemn the Moslems and Hindus to hell just because they don't believe Jesus is the only way to salvation?” or “How could a loving God send anyone to eternal torment in hell?”

These questions are diversions to avoid dealing with personal responsibility. Jesus ignores our games and jumps straight to the heart of the matter: “Give to Ceasar what is Ceasar, and to God what is God's.” Jesus isn't asking me to understand why God does what he does. He is asking me, “How are you going to respond to me?” It's personal.

Prayer: Lord, everything pertaining to my personal salvation comes down to how I respond to you. Show me how to give to you what is yours. Help me to see through the distractions to keep my eyes on you. Amen.

We are to serve Jesus, not the other way around.

Scripture: Luke 4:14-30

Observation: Jesus went to the synagogue in Nazareth and announced that Isaiah's prophecy was fulfilled that very day. The people “spoke well of him” and were amazed at the words that came out of his mouth. (Why were they amazed this day? Apparently, they were not amazed when he lived with them on a daily basis. It makes me wonder what changed between the time he left to begin his ministry and the time he returned on this particular day.)

However, just a few minutes later they were ready to kill him because he had offended them. One moment they were speaking well of him, and the next they were going to throw him off a cliff! (And this was a group of folks from his own home town.) I think part of the problem was that they expected him to perform for them, and when he refused and called them on it, they became angry.

Application: We need to guard against coming to the Lord to see him perform and for what he can give to us. He is not a cosmic butler who arrives to serve our whims and meet our needs.

Prayer: Lord, sometimes it seems to be my fate that I am programmed to come to You for what You can give me. This happens much more often than it should. Help me to come to You more frequently because of who You are, rather than because of what You can do for me. Amen.

What's easier, following rules or establishing and maintaining a relationship?

Scripture: Luke 18:18-30

Observation: When the rich ruler asked Jesus how to get eternal life, Jesus repeated several commandments from the law of Moses (i.e. the Old Testament): Don't steal; don't commit murder; don't lie; etc. When the ruler replied that he had done all these things since he was a child, Jesus told him he still needed to do something more -- he needed to give himself completely to following Jesus.

Application: It's easy to follow rules and count it to ourselves as having met our spiritual obligations. But like the rich ruler, we instinctively know that we're missing something. Following Christ is not about meeting obligations. We need to “let everything else go” (so to speak) and give ourselves completely to Him. Then we will have treasure in Heaven and eternal life. It's not impossible.

Prayer: Lord, cause me to keep my eyes on my relationship with You and not on what I do for You. Amen.

Just Arrived!

I created this weblog tonight to house my S.O.A.P. archives.