Tag Archives: Houses Divided

Selfless-Righteousness

Eastertide

May 14, 2020

Scripture Reading:
1 Peter 3:13-22

Now who will harm you if you are eager to do what is good? But even if you do suffer for doing what is right, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear, and do not be intimidated, but in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be ready to make your defence to anyone who demands from you an account of the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and reverence. Keep your conscience clear, so that, when you are maligned, those who abuse you for your good conduct in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if suffering should be God’s will, than to suffer for doing evil. –1 Peter 3:13-17

The definition of the Greek word agathos1 translated here as “good” is “good.” It is recommended for use when trying to describe something that is: intrinsically good, good in nature, good whether it be seen to be so or not, the widest and most colorless of all words with this meaning. 1 Merriam-Webster wrote several pages trying to describe the word “good.”2

The word “right” used in the scripture above:1343 /dikaiosýnē (“divine approval”) is the regular NT term used for righteousness (“God’s judicial approval”). 1343 /dikaiosýnē (“the approval of God”) refers to what is deemed right by the Lord (after His examination), i.e. what is approved in His eyes.3

What happens when others do not deem what we are doing as either good or right in the eyes of God? Greed quickly closes people’s minds to what is good for anyone else but themselves. Greed results in injustice in the eyes of God. We are seeing a lot of that going on in our world today.

We are called to be people functioning under the example set by Jesus Christ. The popular phrase started a few years ago, “What would Jesus Do” has more significance than a wristband fad. According to the Pew Forum 70.6% of USA citizens identify as Christians. A number that is rapidly declining4. We, however, are houses divided not even able to recognize the validity of the varying tenets we follow.  Our discord is driving people from the faith.

if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, pray, seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. –2 Chronicles 7:14

Once we have sought God’s forgiveness and guidance, we need to find those issues on which we do agree and start the rebuilding now.

Prayer: Lord, forgive us for our self-righteousness in our service to you and guide us in learning how to live like Jesus in selfless-righteousness. Amen.

1https://biblehub.com/str/greek/18.htm
2https://unabridged.merriam-webster.com/unabridged/good
3https://biblehub.com/str/greek/1343.htm
4https://www.pewforum.org/2019/10/17/in-u-s-decline-of-christianity-continues-at-rapid-pace/

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.

God Equipped

Kingdom Building

November 18, 2019

Scripture Reading: Jeremiah 23:1-6

Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! says the Lord. Therefore, thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, concerning the shepherds who shepherd my people: It is you who have scattered my flock, and have driven them away, and you have not attended to them. So I will attend to you for your evil doings, says the Lord. Then I myself will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the lands where I have driven them, and I will bring them back to their fold, and they shall be fruitful and multiply. I will raise up shepherds over them who will shepherd them, and they shall not fear any longer, or be dismayed, nor shall any be missing, says the Lord. –Jeremiah 23:1-4

I wrote the book Houses Divided: A Letter to the Churches of the USA on Church and State in 2013, because I felt a pressing need to call the attention of persons of faith to the fact that our internal dividedness was negating our purpose.  Now I think the division is even greater. That is extraordinarily sad to me for our call from Christ to be one is the foundation on which the Kingdom of God is being built or not.

I think that is what Jeremiah is trying to say in the above scripture. We are running away some people, others are not interested in our interpretation of the “Good News” which sounds more exclusive then inclusive, more judgmental than forgiving, more hate-filled, then loving. Becoming one is messy work that cannot be done in a society that prizes lust for power and greed over seeking common ground for the common good.

Apparently, God who created us is under the impression that we have the innate tools to become one. God even came to model the way for us.

And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a father’s only son, full of grace and truth. John 1:14

Perhaps we need to search our minds, hearts, and souls and see where we have allowed the tools of oneness to lie dormant. Once found we need to practice using them until we are highly skilled at the art of being one. Who knows that may be when God returns to dwell among us again*?

Prayer: God forgive us when we let the things of the world distract us from the truths you have provided us. Amen.

*See Revelation 21:3

All scriptures are quoted from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, copyright 1989, 1995, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights are reserved.

Seeking Oneness

Lent
March 7, 2018

 Scripture Reading: Psalm 107:1-3, 17-22

O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good;
   for his steadfast love endures forever.
Let the redeemed of the Lord say so,
   those he redeemed from trouble
and gathered in from the lands,
   from the east and from the west
   from the north and from the south. –Psalm 107:1-3

I just read a sobering editorial about how uncivilized our country is becoming. People are going out of their way to vent nonspecific anger at anyone, anytime. Evil functions best in turmoil, real or created.

Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand. (Matthew 12:25b)

Christ calls his followers to oneness, calls us to find ways to love each other in spite of our differences. Why do we waste so much energy and time on hostility and gridlock? If we seek common ground in the name of Christ, we will find a place to start even if it is a tiny opening into oneness.

Here is a challenge. Every time we encounter divisiveness in a discussion during the remainder of Lent, let us commit to seeking first common ground. We might start by saying, “ I understand we are miles apart on this issue but let’s see if we can find one avenue of response on which we can agree?” Perhaps we can suggest something simple. If we are in a working group, listing suggestions on a flip chart or post-its stuck on a wall might help. While making a list, consider all ideas. Through a narrowing process, see how many the whole group can identify as valid approaches. Another process that I have found helpful for groups of 16 or more is the World Café*. It is a non-judgmental way of listening to each other without reaching discissions but gaining discernment on various perspectives.

A friend recently recommended a book for me to read that I accepted but when I got home and looked at some of the people who recommended it, I did not want to read it. I value the friend’s opinion, so I am reading the book. If my opinions cannot hold up to the test of the opposing opinions, I need to examine why I hold them.

In times like these, we need a close relationship with God and a deep understanding that God will guide us when we truly see the oneness Christ championed. God’s steadfast love does endure forever.

Prayer: Lord, make us whole enabling us to be at ease in your care as we walk the tightrope toward oneness. Amen.

*See at www.theworldcafe.com/

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