What a Mess-II

Let your speech be always with grace,
seasoned with salt, that ye may know
how ye ought to answer every man.
Colossians 4:6

With my last blog, I made every attempt to express my concern over the mess I grieve over when I look at the slippery slope our country is descending into. It would seem than few people are speaking up for right in our day. Those who do, especially of any name recognition, are severely criticized. The world with it's theories shouts their thinking in our faces everyday, but Christians, according to those same people, are to keep their opinions to themselves.

Last week, I wrote of the struggle I think many of we Christians are dealing with, that I believe begins in the mind. Such doesn't mean that as we deal with our own personal mind sets, we walk around with sealed lips. If Christians don't stand for the things of God, who is going to? We find ourselves in the mess we are in today primarily for two reasons (among many) that have brought us to this point:

...Christians for too long have been giving in to the things of the world. It's a gradual happening. Fifty years ago, most churches in our country stood strong and firm regarding moral issues which believe it or not, stemmed the tide of sin. Sin has always been among us and will continue, but there at least was a hesitancy when Christians and the church took strong stands. As we gave in to the world, ever so gradually, pulpits in our country toned down their messages. Christians began to compromise and testimonies were diluted. With those things happening, one of the biggest resulting disasters for our country was that many compromising Christians jumped on the bandwagon to elect people into high offices they shouldn't even have been put in. I'm speaking of people of all political leanings. That leadership in the highest of offices, have sold out the integrity and morals of our country. It's the worse conglomeration of ingrates I've seen in my lifetime. People have also continued their avid support of Hollywood and thus, it's influence. We Christians have to take some of the responsibility for our contribution in this process. For change to come, it will have to be God's doing through His people.

...Not only have Christians given in to the world, but those left with any spiritual integrity have stood by with mouths shut. I grow weary, as I'm sure many of you do, at those on soap boxes spouting their personal opinions about world conditions who say very little. By getting my mind set where I think God wants it regarding an opinion on any subject at all, doesn't mean that I'm never to speak up or to take stands. However, what I speak should be true to those things of God whether the world wants to hear it or not. Gays in our country are such a tiny number, but we are made to think that probably half the folks in our country are gay. How have they gained such power? It has come with the winking and blinking of good people who never felt a moral threat in it all. Now all sorts of famous people are getting on the bandwagon that they are gay or transgender. It's becoming a fad because in the circles of the rich and famous, such “come outs” make big bucks for them and their agents.

Some verses of Scripture have re-emerged for me in the last few days that might arm us for the spiritual battle we face in these days. When it comes to what I allow into my mind, I am reminded of Philippians 2:5 (and the three verses after it):

Let this mind be in you, which was
also in Christ Jesus.

If we look at the three verses after this, we get an idea of where Jesus' mind was. We read that He wasn't interested in being a person of great reputation and was a very humble man. He was interested in being a servant...the very Son of God from the splendor of Heaven came to serve. He touched sick, dirty and dead people. He washed dirty feet. He fed thousands of people. On the mind of Jesus, was to walk in total obedience even unto death. How often are you and I convicted by something preached or that we read in our Bibles and ignore God's call to obedience? In every battle we fight in our day, it is most important that we have the right mind set.

Caution:

Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth;
keep the door of my lips.
Psalm 141:3

I am not saying that you and I should be mute regarding the evil we face in our world. However, my words need to be measured words that meet with God's approval. How often do we pray a prayer like this verse before we speak or communicate, especially if found in contentious settings. I understand that even if I speak in love, those of opposite opinion will consider my speech to be hateful simply because it doesn't meet with their opinion. We can still speak out of love and concern even though there will rarely be agreement with those on the “other team.” We don't need to go looking for a fight. If we are right with God, perhaps even one on one, the fight will come to us. May we be faithful to God in our words, speaking with caution and yes, love.

Be prepared:

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be
ready always to give an answer to every man that
asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with
meekness (gentleness) and fear (respect).
I Peter 3:15

I'm not sure we understand what oddities we are in a sin fallen world. Somehow, we always wonder why people disagree with the stands people of God take. There may be some around us as we are in general conversation, who just might wonder about the how's and why's of who we are. Notice our verse suggests that we be ready to speak WHEN someone asks us the reason for our hope. This indicates such a person will have seen something in us that creates a curiosity regarding our hope. Our answer can be simple: “I have hope because of Jesus Christ in my life.” Here's where being prepared comes in. If someone pursues in asking what is meant by that statement, can we give an informative reply that would benefit that person, perhaps leading them to a personal pursuit of that same Hope we have come to know? Bottom line is that no matter the mess, Jesus is the answer. There is nothing going on that is greater than He is, or greater than He can handle. He sees the evil of our day beyond what you and I see in our own circles of life. He is far more grieved than we can ever be regarding this sin-fallen world.

These are mere days of practice for us as we take our stands for right and for the Lord. It's not going to get any easier. I see a day when any sharing of Jesus can be ruled as being politically incorrect and even illegal. Conditions for Christians are certainly not looking good at the present time, but we shouldn't be surprised. Scripture speaks of what the “last days” will be like, and those indicators are evident even now. We need to be praying earnestly for the mind of Christ in us. We should prayerfully speak when opportunities present themselves, but at the same time, have the wisdom in knowing what to say or what not to say.

Lastly, may you and I be convinced of the wonderful HOPE we have in Christ and be ready to sincerely share that HOPE with others who are seekers. Many folks who have fallen into various sins and lifestyles are basically seeking HOPE. However, they are looking in all the wrong places, so we should lovingly and respectfully be willing to share that HOPE with others when we have opportunity. We may be ridiculed in return, but that wonderful HOPE will have been presented.

Dear Jesus, I want Your mind in all I do. I know I won't have Your perfection but I want to be as much like You as I can be. Help me to be a light in this dark world and to be an influence and witness for You in ways that would please You. Thank You for Your guidance and direction in my life. I love You with all my heart. In Your precious name....Amen