Frustration, anger, and disrespect are trending in America.
Road rage, obscene gestures, and name-calling are all in vogue. Names and actions that harm people seem to be not only accepted but also expected.
What can the church do to help our hurting society?
First, we can show them a more excellent way. In the Bible, the more excellent way is the way of love.
People usually learn more by what they see than by what they hear. The church can be salt and light to our society. As we treat people with respect, they will be more likely to treat others with respect. As we temper our language and seek to live out God’s love, we can help our society find the better way.
Second, we can be the lesson that others see. An example is the best form of teaching. The church cannot simply tell the world what to do. We must give the example of how this plays out.
Third, we must pray for our enemies and those who treat us with contempt. We must not give what we have received. Jesus told His followers to take on a radical ethic. If struck on the left cheek, they were to turn the right as well. Rather than getting back or getting even, they should show the power of God to change lives. If compelled to carry the Roman pack for a mile (something the Roman army could command), they should carry it two miles (something the Romans could not command).
Jesus asked His followers to go out of the way to do good.
By letting their light shine before others, the world could see their good works and as a result glorify the Father in heaven.
You and I have a tremendous opportunity to do good and glorify God. In a world of darkness, the light is much more apparent.
Let us be those people who give light and hope to a dark and hopeless world.
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6 Responses
Fantastic points! If only the context for application for applying them was universally understood. When does one shake off the dust? When does one pick up the sword? When does one turn the cheek? When does one give his cloak also? When does on realize when not go give what is Holy? (Matthew 7:6) There are consequences. When is it time to be content with being stoned for the Gospel’s sake? Micah chapter 5 has some strong language in its context. Matthew 7:22,23 has some sobering realities presented. When Luke 12:49-53 presents itself and the support net of the Church is absent, the result does not bode well. The Church is found to be a church. When the evangelism of one is ended, each is indeed defined by their actions. There is no Good apart from God.
So let us understand how God’s Love is applied within His Church:
“Love must be without hypocrisy. Detest evil: cling to what is good. Show family affection to one another with brotherly love. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not lack diligence; be fervent in spirit; serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope; be patient in affliction; be persistent in prayer. Share with the saints in their needs; pursue hospitality.” Romans 12: 9-13
“Let us no longer criticize one another, but instead decide not to be a stumbling block or pitfall in your brother’s way. (I know and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus that nothing is unclean, to that one it is unclean.) For if your brother is hurt by what you eat, you are no longer walking according to love. By what you eat, do not destroy that one for whom Christ died. Therefore, do not let your good be slandered. For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Whosoever serves the Messiah in this way is acceptable to God and approved by men. So then, we must pursue what promotes peace and what builds up one another. Do not tear down God’s work because of food. Everything is clean, but it is wrong for a man to cause stumbling by what he eats. It is a noble thing not to eat meat or drink wine, or do anything that makes your brother stumble. Do you have faith? Keep it to yourself before God. Blessed is the man who does not condemn himself by what he approves. But whoever doubts stands condemned if he eats, because his eating is not from faith and everything that is not from faith is sin.” Romans 14: 13-23
Blessings
The question came to mind for me about those who claim to be a “Good Person” and not give credit to Jesus Christ for setting the example and giving direction on the behavior we exhibit to those who treat us with contempt. I believe this is Jesus Christ commanding their lives anyway. They have learned to be a “Good Person” and exhibit Christ like behaviors because someone in their lives was a follower of Jesus Christ and passed on the behaviors to them. To me I thinks its wonderful, and at the same time amazing, that we are guided by God no matter what we want to believe. But so much more fulfilled in life by recognizing Jesus Christ as the source and as our saviour. Thanks Pastor.
The darkness is very tolerant of ‘good works’ that do not give the Glory for those works to The Creator Redeemer. Darkness will extinguish Light by any means possible, as the history of the Prophets demonstrate, those who have perished around us have demonstrated; and as I have witnessed and bear witness in your midst. I hear the “Voice of the Martyrs.” They are still history in the making: https://www.persecution.com/. What you have thought is true Bob. Let us be careful in boldness to give Him the Glory who has provided “opportunities” and Strength to be One with the Father through the Son via the Holy Spirit. May His Angels continue to Minister to His Servants. Which Was in the Beginning, Is now and ever Shall Be. AMEN.
Thank you Dr. Bailey for presenting encouraging Truth in Love, Him!!!
Remember: “Everything that is not from Faith is sin.” Romans 14:23b
This past year one of God’s anointed attorneys showed up needing me to help bring Peace to a family in distress. I was Blessed to play a part in bringing relief. That attorney asked me Friday if I could help Pastor Jim Caldwell. When I learned of his affiliation I was awestruck. Perhaps you will be too. http://jimcaldwelllive.com/open-letter-to-the-church/
As you who have read my comments know, I seek God’s Perfect Will realized in His Body/Bride as fully pictured in Romans 12 to bring the Model Prayer desire of God’s Will to be realized on earth while and where we can give Him the Glory by (dia) our Faith in Action.
Thank you Dr. Bailey for entertaining this dissemination of information.
I am trusting in my “Safety Net.” Evidently, so is Jim.
Every considered that the anger, in part, might result from a number of factors extraneous to the people involved> Consider the extreme measure we have to electrical/electronic stimuli from tv, phones, radios, highlines, etc. What kind of an impact does that have on one’s brain, the seat of intellect, emotion, and will? And now we have the entry of nanoparticles.
We obviously have many forces to deal with. Our modern world literally bombards us. What we can be sure of is a God who cares and blesses His people as we struggle with the things around us.
Thanks for adding to the discussion.