The world we live in has many modern conveniences. One such convenience is the internet. Today, information can be passed from sender to recipient in near “real-time”. Articles can be written and “posted” for the entire world to read with just a click of a button. Also, readers can respond to an article and “post it” at the bottom of the page immediately after reading the article. In pre-internet times, article feedback occurred in the evening at the dinner table during the family meal, the next morning at the coffee shop, at work by the water cooler, or, if one was really moved, in a special section of the local newspaper called the “Opinion Section.”
Why does it have to turn into a liberal/conservative thing. Why can't we as humans have compassion for those who strugle or have life changing situations happen to their families? Sometimes I get disgusted a this so called "Christian" nation that would rather ridicule those who struggle than find a solution to assist those who need it. We are not the greatest country in the world. The greatest country in the world would find a way to help their own people in times of need."
Hmmm...
Now, apart and aside from the content of the article, the validity of the argument of those on either side of the issue, and the relativity of the issue with life in general, the words “…so called “Christian” nation…” raised some disturbing questions in my mind. Questions like…what does a “Christian” nation look like? What does a Christian look like? Are Christian’s different from the rest of the world? If you are not Christian, can you identify a Christian if you met one on the street? If you are a Christian, can you identify a fellow “brother” or “sister” in Christ on the street? Most disturbing of all….would someone recognize you/me as a follower of Christ?
As I reflected on this, I remembered a situation involving Jesus, a blind man, and the Pharisees. Jesus healed the blind man who had been blind since birth. His neighbors were so perplexed with the situation and the claim he made about Christ being the one who had healed him that they took him to the Pharisees to see if they could make sense of it. The Pharisees were recognized as the religious folk during that time and if anyone could figure out who Jesus was it would be them. But, when the Pharisees learned of this miracle and because it was performed on the Sabbath which broke an old law, they questioned the authenticity of Christ. They couldn’t see/believe that Jesus was sent by God. Finally, after twice questioning the blind man about where he believed Jesus had come from, he responds… “Now that is remarkable! You don’t know where he comes from, yet he opened my eyes. We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly man who does his will. Nobody has ever heard of opening the eyes of a man born blind. If this man were not from God, he could do nothing.” (John 9:30-33)
Why couldn’t the Pharisees see Jesus as the Messiah, sent by God? They had knowledge of God and His intent to send a Messiah. Better yet, how did the lowly blind man, often thought of as a sinner because of his condition, recognize Christ as being sent by God?
To answer the first question, the Pharisees were spiritually blinded by greed, envy, and selfishness. They claimed to have “sight”, but their behavior proved otherwise. More importantly, I think the blind man received his sight by EXPERIENCING Christ.
As followers of Christ, we are summoned into a relationship with our Heavenly Father and that is an incredible experience. But, like Jesus, we, too, are “sent” to seek the lost. The scriptures describe Christians as being “Salt, Leaven, and Light” and a “Sweet Aroma”. Our interactions with others should be a meaningful experience that reflects the nature of Christ. We should have a distinct flavor, demeanor, and attitude. Are we to be discerning in worldly matters? Absolutely! But our discernment and actions must always be rooted in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). This is what sets us apart. This should be how others identify us, know us, and speak of us.
Rich and poor have this in common: The Lord is the Maker of them all. (Proverbs 22:2)
Jesus said, “Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God.” (John 3:20-21)
Father, help me to be visible in the crowd. I want to shed light where there is darkness.
Give me strength and courage so I can help others see you. In Christ, Amen.
Todd Adams
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