Jesus & the American Flag.
"I've heard numerous comments over the last few days about how African nations themselves have to get their act together and stop siphoning off foreign aid in order to fill their Swiss Bank Accounts. Live 8, however, has nothing to do with African nations' responsibility to their people - it has to do with our responsibility to live justly. Here's the point - Live 8 wasn't meant to help Africa; it was meant to help us live in a way that is consistent with what scripture teaches us about being lenders. It took Geldof and Bono to ask for a year of Jubilee while the rest of God's children did exactly what I did - watched on television. God help us all." From Today at the Mission.
Politics and religion. I find it interesting that many (not all) Christians who are positive about our involvement in Iraq are negative about Live 8. It seems that many are more into vengenence than love and justice. This leads me to wonder if our ideas, feelings, beliefs, or concerns has anything to do with following Jesus. Are we not supposed to allow the Gospel transform our lives and the way we live, think, react, and respond? It often seems that the message Jesus proclaimed in scripture is transformed by those who claim to be his followers, rather than the other way around. Honestly, it is nice to turn on the televison set and seeing folks attempting to do something good to help change the world. It seems like some folks get more choked up over their favorite country star singing about Jesus and the American Flag than when musicians all over the world band together to help make change.
Which makes me wonder if my allegance is to the flag or my political position and not to the Jesus I claim to follow?
8 Comments:
Rick,
I'm going to assume you count me amongst the negative since you left a similar message at my place.
When you hold other Christians accountable for their actions (and purported beliefs) are you being negative?
When you see a history of money spent intended to help the poor being squandered by thugs, dictators and the like, are you being negative?
I'm curious...
This (requires registration) gives me a little heart about all of it.
Rickinva -- no, it's not negative to recognize a history of corruption, but (IMO, of course) a better answer is to find ways to get aid directly to people rather than to tell them to take a flying...leap.
Dear Rick (in Va.),
No brother, I wasn't really classifying you personally. Actually, it was my comment on your blog that got the "juices flowing" for this post. I apologize if it came acros that way, it wasn't my intention.
I guess I was referring to the overall general "feel" that I have about this Live 8. That is why I like the post from RWK that I linked to.
There are naysayers out there and I guess I am a little disappointed that folks who claim to follow Jesus are so negative toward Live 8. Sure it may not be perfect, but it sure beats the hell out of what the world is currently doing. I don't know, folks are truly attempting something good it'd be nice if folks went along and stopped the bickering. Be a part of the solution and not the problem.
Too many folks claiming Jesus who are into war,vengeance, and killing
and nothing about what he talked about. Many HATE their neighbor and KILL their enemy.
When we see a brother attempting to do something good for another brother we need to cross the street to help out rather than throwing rocks.
The talk about God and Jesus is often a mask folks where to disguise their hate of another's political views. I am referring to conservative or liberal.
It really isn't about God transforming me and my world, it is about me transforming GOd to fit my worldview.
It takes massive balls to follow Jesus that is why so few folks do it and the ones who do usually end up dead. It is much easier to kill, fight and hate than it is to love and stand up for the "least of these".
There are days I try to follow Jesus, but most days I am too self-centered and selfish to give up my right to myself and pick up the cross and come after him. The cross requires my dying-- dying to my hate, my need to be right, and myself. That scares the hell out of me, so I settle for being an Christian. I may respect folks who die for freedom, but I have a tremendous amount of respect for folks who stick thier necks on the line for the cause of Christ. Any of us can pick up a gun an shoot at one another. That doesn't make us a man, tough or brave. Jesus went to the cross to put an end to that crap and he tells us if want to be his disciple then we need to get about his business.
Hope that help clear up what is going on in my heart.
God peace and blessings,
Rick
I know what your allegience is, brother. It shouts glad tidings every time your fingers hit the keyboard.
You keep speaking out, and acting out, brother. Prophetic voices are needed, now more than ever.
Steve,
Don't you mean prophetic voices that agree with you are needed?
Dear Rick in Va.,
Hey brother, relax. You seem very uptight and on the edge. IT's all good brother.
Fear not, God is with you. You are loved. Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
I am sure Steve would agree.
Rick,
Steve says he knows where your allegiance lies... implying that he also knows what allegiances are struck by those that disagree with you.
That's judgement brother.
That's condemnation.
I believe the one you and I believe in isn't happy with that.
It's fundamentalism replacing fundamentalism.
Dear Rick in Va.,
Good morning from the West Coast.
Hey brother, the ONe you and I believe in isn't ahappy with anyb strife, especially for two Christian brothers. I suspect the One you and I beleiev in isn't so nuts about the reality of 30,000 denominations.
Some folks look for fights and look for reasons to agrue. It makes for interesting dialogue. It is like the bully looking to beat someone up-- seeking an adrenalin fix.
But the One you and I serve not only wants, but expects you and I to somehow work it out, to be above some of the rhetoric, to have unity even when we are in disagreement. The One you and I serve desires for us to drop the rocks and stop drawing lines in the sand. He desire us to mature in our faith and to be examples for others.
YOu and I may disagree on certain issues, but one thing I think we probably agree with is that we are all in need of GOd's love and grace. That you and I as two lost brothers in the wilderness need a Loving God to lead us back home.
I dout the one who you and I serve wants to get us home only to see us fight of the mashed potatoes.
It comes down to making the decision to LOVE on another. It comes down to deciding not to fight. Like the guy last night in my neighborhood speeding in a residental section (like 60 mph)while my wife and I were crossing the road. I had to decide not to pull him from the car and choke him. :) I wanted to, but fighting is not an option.
The world is watching you and me... the world is watching the CHurch... and GOd is watching... and all are waiting for us to set aside our differences long enough to do the only thing we are called to do and that is love another. We have to make the DECISION that we are going to do that.
Like Paul instructed the Church in Rome who were concerned with how to live with those who observed ksher diets versus those who didn't. It serves as how we ought to attempt to live:
"For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men.
Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food... or opinions.
We are not enemies... I do not view you as an enemy. You are a brother in Christ.
Blessings,
Rick
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