Ramblings of a Sinner

And as Jesus reclined at table in the house, behold, many tax collectors and sinners came and were reclining with Jesus and his disciples. And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?" But when he heard it, he said, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners."
(Mat 9:10-13 ESV)

Monday, May 18, 2009

     Much has been made about the invitation of President Obama to the Graduation at Notre Dame.   The lightning rod issue is that the President is Pro-Choice on Abortion and advocates the resumption of infant stem cell research.  A position that is against everything for which the Catholic Church stands.  In actuality the opinions of the President stand in contrast to many Christians, but sadly not all.  At the heart of the debate is the issue of how can anyone claiming to be a Christian advocate the termination of any life for any reason.

     What I have witnessed is that many are so strongly rooted in opinion and views.  This means that patient dialogue cannot be conducted without great effort.  Some will not make the effort to communicate so that a person that is not in proper fear of the Lord can be brought back into relationship with the Creator.  Screaming gets you nothing but more screaming.  I have been saddened that Christians would rather engage in confrontation rather than counsel.  The Catholic Priest leading the protests at Notre Dame this weekend giving an interview used the example of Jesus confronting the Pharisees and the Sadducees.  What he failed to explain is that the Pharisees and the Sadducees were the leaders of the temple charged with the spiritual care of God’s people and they were leading the people astray, some times for personal gain.  Jesus was calling them on the carpet as it were, to point out their transgressions and to correct their behavior.  When Jesus was instructing His disciples or talking to tax collectors or other sinners He was instructive.  He had to show them where they were wrong and how to get back on the right path.  For those who are not in sync with ideas, philosophies or opinion that are in agreement with Biblical Doctrine, screaming and throwing stones is not the way to bring to light wrong behavior.

     Passion is a good thing when used properly.  God used His passion for His creation when He sent His only begotten son as an atoning sacrifice for the sins of men.  Jesus used His passion for us when He allowed Himself to be nailed to the cross.  How will we use our passion?  Will we use the example of Jesus as a passionate teacher or will we be the stone throwing screamer who sends women and children hiding in fear?  Will your passion move you to instruct and inform?  Will your passion over come you and send you to the latest protesting scream-fest?  Protesting is not wrong, the manner in which it is done could be.  Lets look at another example from Jesus.  A prostitute was to be stoned for her sins.  Jesus stands between the prostitute and the others in protest to the actions about to take place.  He did not scream, He did not shout accusations.  Jesus simply stated that any one whom themselves were without sin could cast the first stone.  He forced them to look at themselves, Jesus directed their accusatory glare away from another and inward to their own sins.  It was facing their own sins that caused them to drop the stones, turn and walk away.    As children of God, and followers of the teachings of the Son of God, we do not need to change the hearts and minds of every man, woman and children, that is a task of God.  We as children of God we are to spread the message of His salvation.  We, in our charge to make disciples (Matthew 28:19), can show that through God’s Law we are all sinners and only through the sacrifice of Jesus can we restore our relationship with God.  It is at this point the Holy Spirit will work on their hearts.

     Having said this,  screaming, trespassing and disrupting orderly meetings of others does not serve the purpose of Matthew 28:19.  While Christians should not compromise their obedience to God we must realize that those who do not know God or do not know him completely need our help to learn and come closer to God.  Pointing a finger and labeling others with accusatory, derogatory names does nothing but push people away.  We must listen to the words of others in order to know where to and how to help those who need help.

There are many styles of communicating the Message of God. They are as numerous as the messengers themselves. Some need to ensure that the message is pure and not altered in any way while others need to keep the focus on the message and not the method in which it is delivered. Flashing lights, pictures, music don’t mean anything if the message is not put out there pure and unaltered for the truth to be heard by the people. Is your message on target?