“This was now the third time that Jesus was revealed to the disciples after he was raised from the dead.” (John 21:14 ESV)
What drives me to follow Christ as Lord? If nothing else, I am driven by the fact that Jesus is a "personal" Jesus. I don't mean that He is my Jesus and no one else's. Neither do I mean that Jesus is at my beck and call. But I realize that He is there when I need Him the most, even when He has every right to not be there. Even when He's extended grace upon grace already.
I think it was this same thing that drove the apostles of Jesus. After Jesus' death, the apostles were scattered and disillusioned about their future. They staked everything on Jesus and it failed, they thought. That is until He was resurrected. Rumor has it that it was the resurrection that caused the apostles to re-engage. I know that was one reason, but I don't think it was the primary reason. I believe the thing that drove the apostles was the realization of a "personal" Jesus who genuinely cared about their well-being and their discipleship. Jesus who died for them and who lived for them, yes; but even who came to rescue them from themselves and their mediocrity when they were not driven enough to do so themselves. A Jesus who not only saves the lost people, but intercedes for and "Saves the saved" people too: even after they've turned away from Him or lived in mediocrity.
This is the story of John 21. It was not simply the resurrection. John tells us that the apostles had already seen Jesus twice after He had been raised. But they still went fishing. I have hinted that it was mediocrity that caused the apostles to go fishing and be on the lake, we still haven't talked about why Jesus was on that beach. It seems that Jesus was on the beach just for Peter. They had unfinished business. Peter had denied him and it seems they had not talked about that yet, even though Peter already knew Jesus would accept Him. Jesus came just for Peter, to "save" Him from a life of mediocrity. They had a deep, heartfelt, personal conversation. Not about the church, not about the group, not about the inner circle of three (Peter, James and John); but just about Peter and Jesus. Simon...do you love me? Then feed and shepherd my sheep. But Lord, what about that guy over there? ...What does that have to do with you Peter, You follow Me. It was Jesus kindness and perseverance that continued to pursue Peter even after Peter received over extended grace from Jesus. He pursues us just the same when we need it. He is your personal Jesus.
Monday, August 27, 2012
Friday, July 6, 2012
White only Christian conference: Just random quick thoughts
I heard about a "white" only Christian conference at this yahoo link.
http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/lookout/alabama-pastor-hold-whites-only-conference-162845760.html
Just some thoughts as a citizen and Christian.
1. We (Christians and Americans) absolutely must honor the freedom of speech and right to assemble of any group, even the white supremacists (provided the particular group is not gathering with intent to break the law or incite such action). (Non-white) Christians have an even greater call to love and forgive those "white" Christians who won't let them attend the conference. I, kind of, feel my own flesh rebelling against this expectation from God. So "Lord, help my unbelief".
2. We must be reminded that along with freedom of speech and right to assembly comes the responsibility of what we speak about.
3. Simply because one is "free" to do a thing as the pastor is claiming does not mean that it is the best thing to do. It does not seem best to promote "white only" Christian conference unless there is some reason for a "white" evangelism strategy with a legitimate reason to exclude other persons who are not white. The constitution (in comparison to the words of Scripture) does not seem to provide legitimacy for such an event.
4. Just because a group is not breaking the law of the land in the U.S. or elsewhere, that does not mean that they are not breaking spiritual laws or promoting sinful activity. The conference is promoting the sinful activity of partiality--in this case, racism.
5. No Christian has the right to worship how s/he "wants" or we "want". Worship has to be how God wants it. Because we are different, God (in his creative and infinite wisdom) has allowed us to utilize our ethnic, social and cultural backgrounds to provide to him outward expressions of worship. However, there are some basic internal, spiritual principles that need to guide all believers at all times: Here are two that seem to be non-negotiable (Worship must be led by the Holy Ghost/Spirit, worship venues have to be inclusive of all who would come with humility to God). Help me if I have erred in these two.
6. If indeed the Reverend and the whites at the conference are followers of Jesus Christ/Messiah then The "Reverend" is right. He and those followers are part of the chosen race. However, it is not the chosen "white" race they are a part of (because there is no such thing-biologically speaking) but they are a part of the human race. That's right, there is just ONE race. If there is a race at all.
7. In my humble logic (no sarcasm intended) it stands to reason that Jesus, nor His Spirit was at that conference; For Jesus is not white, but Jewish (religiously, culturally and if there was such a biological thing; racially; but there is not). And the Holy Spirit is not a human being, but works through human beings to bring light to Jesus the God-man.
Ultimately, I hope that God's Spirit was at that conference. I hope that he convicted the hearts of the racist/ethnocentric Christ followers who were there, and pierced the heart of the racist/ethnocentric people who think they are Christ followers but are not. Perhaps He would draw them to understand His plan for all persons to worship Him. Perhaps He would (if He did not at that conference) give them a glimpse of heaven so they realize there will be no "white" (nor "black" or other racial) Christians or churches in heaven (again, race is a socially constructed, not biologically genuine, earthly reality that no doubt will burn with other earthly ideologies when tried in the fire -- I Cor. 3). Let's assume they get there--Imagine with me. There will be African-Americans in heaven (and they won't be sitting on the back pews or use different worship centers. In fact they will stand in front of some "white" people [That is, if you picture heaven with a bunch of people standing in one place facing one focal point of God]. They will stand next to European and other Americans, and Europeans, and Africans, and Asians of every brand, and Latinos of every brand, and any other ethnic group from every tribe and nation on the face of the earth all worshipping the same and One True God. Indeed, if any of those supremacists happen to really be Christians and make it into heaven they will be standing next to some of the "black", "latino/hispanic", "asian" and other Christians who lived in their communities who they did not allow in their conference. What's more is that black/latino/asian/indian/etc. person will have forgiven them and will love them in the same way the Father forgave and loved us through Jesus Christ.
And won't they be surprised. Indeed, beautifully surprised.
http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/lookout/alabama-pastor-hold-whites-only-conference-162845760.html
Just some thoughts as a citizen and Christian.
1. We (Christians and Americans) absolutely must honor the freedom of speech and right to assemble of any group, even the white supremacists (provided the particular group is not gathering with intent to break the law or incite such action). (Non-white) Christians have an even greater call to love and forgive those "white" Christians who won't let them attend the conference. I, kind of, feel my own flesh rebelling against this expectation from God. So "Lord, help my unbelief".
2. We must be reminded that along with freedom of speech and right to assembly comes the responsibility of what we speak about.
3. Simply because one is "free" to do a thing as the pastor is claiming does not mean that it is the best thing to do. It does not seem best to promote "white only" Christian conference unless there is some reason for a "white" evangelism strategy with a legitimate reason to exclude other persons who are not white. The constitution (in comparison to the words of Scripture) does not seem to provide legitimacy for such an event.
4. Just because a group is not breaking the law of the land in the U.S. or elsewhere, that does not mean that they are not breaking spiritual laws or promoting sinful activity. The conference is promoting the sinful activity of partiality--in this case, racism.
5. No Christian has the right to worship how s/he "wants" or we "want". Worship has to be how God wants it. Because we are different, God (in his creative and infinite wisdom) has allowed us to utilize our ethnic, social and cultural backgrounds to provide to him outward expressions of worship. However, there are some basic internal, spiritual principles that need to guide all believers at all times: Here are two that seem to be non-negotiable (Worship must be led by the Holy Ghost/Spirit, worship venues have to be inclusive of all who would come with humility to God). Help me if I have erred in these two.
6. If indeed the Reverend and the whites at the conference are followers of Jesus Christ/Messiah then The "Reverend" is right. He and those followers are part of the chosen race. However, it is not the chosen "white" race they are a part of (because there is no such thing-biologically speaking) but they are a part of the human race. That's right, there is just ONE race. If there is a race at all.
7. In my humble logic (no sarcasm intended) it stands to reason that Jesus, nor His Spirit was at that conference; For Jesus is not white, but Jewish (religiously, culturally and if there was such a biological thing; racially; but there is not). And the Holy Spirit is not a human being, but works through human beings to bring light to Jesus the God-man.
Ultimately, I hope that God's Spirit was at that conference. I hope that he convicted the hearts of the racist/ethnocentric Christ followers who were there, and pierced the heart of the racist/ethnocentric people who think they are Christ followers but are not. Perhaps He would draw them to understand His plan for all persons to worship Him. Perhaps He would (if He did not at that conference) give them a glimpse of heaven so they realize there will be no "white" (nor "black" or other racial) Christians or churches in heaven (again, race is a socially constructed, not biologically genuine, earthly reality that no doubt will burn with other earthly ideologies when tried in the fire -- I Cor. 3). Let's assume they get there--Imagine with me. There will be African-Americans in heaven (and they won't be sitting on the back pews or use different worship centers. In fact they will stand in front of some "white" people [That is, if you picture heaven with a bunch of people standing in one place facing one focal point of God]. They will stand next to European and other Americans, and Europeans, and Africans, and Asians of every brand, and Latinos of every brand, and any other ethnic group from every tribe and nation on the face of the earth all worshipping the same and One True God. Indeed, if any of those supremacists happen to really be Christians and make it into heaven they will be standing next to some of the "black", "latino/hispanic", "asian" and other Christians who lived in their communities who they did not allow in their conference. What's more is that black/latino/asian/indian/etc. person will have forgiven them and will love them in the same way the Father forgave and loved us through Jesus Christ.
And won't they be surprised. Indeed, beautifully surprised.
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