'The Talk'

Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. Colossians3:20NIV

It seems that every time someone on radio or TV wants to make their minor point to a wider audience, they say things like: Let’s have that conversation, or We need to talk about this, or Have you had the chat with your kids yet?

Apparently, the latest ‘talk fad’ to have with your young children revolves around checking or asking if they are happy as a boy or girl, and opening up the subject, ever so gently of course, that Johnny might feel happier as Jenny, and vice versa. Therefore the whole minefield of gender identity is raised with a 6 year old, ever so gently again of course.

Who are we kidding? How were our leaders brought round to thinking this was a good thing? I find it hard to believe they are quite so daft, but maybe this makes the point for me. The “let’s talk about this” culture has now dropped into our pre-school children’s lives, and we can only lay the blame at their parents door. Personal story: a 3 year old managed to climb up on the dining room chair, and from there onto the table while mum was distracted talking. Mum takes the situation in hand by suggesting this is not a safe place to be, and would she like to come down? Then added the thought that the toddler could scuff her new shoes. This conversation took place between an unhappy 3 year old on top of a polished dining table, and an adult who hadn’t covered this situation in her “self help” book. What? You think I’m joking??

This “Let’s talk this through” phenomena with a toddler seems to be growing, and I can’t help but wonder why? Are parents (sorry but it’s usually mums) so afraid to be direct with their children that the poor kid might be scarred for life, or perish the thought, even offended? Do the parents want to abdicate responsibility, and just become best buddies? Do we now view our toddlers as ‘little adults’, so treat them as such?

Let me be open here. Don’t these offenders (the parents, not the children) see how stupid they look to others as they try to (ever so gently of course) discuss and reason their child out of wilful damage, sheer bad manners, or even bad tempered disrespect? I am glad I was brought up to respect and love my parents, and it wasn’t because they treated me as an equal. They were the parents, but more importantly, I was brought up to know it. You may think I am out of order, but I can’t help but wonder what would happen if our nation needed to invoke military service, or conscription? We would be depending on this entitled generation to protect us all from a violent, destructive, and single minded enemy. We may as well wave the white flag right away, and ask if they want to chat over a cup of tea. Far fetched? You think so??

Those Annoying People

‘Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?’ Jesus replied: ‘“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: “Love your neighbour as yourself.” All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.’ Matthew 22:36-40 NIV

The greatest commandment given by Jesus can be summed up neatly in the paraphrased words, “Love God, Love Others” but that is easier said than done, and we all know that truth. This begs the question: Who are those ‘other neighbours’? It is easy to love those who love us back. You could even say it is easy to love those we don’t even know, like the starving and abused of the world.

It is another matter entirely to love those who hate you. In our modern social media age we can become the subject of deliberate hate mail, and since we are told to love others by Jesus, we must comply. This can be made easier because the people who hate us, are unknown to us too! These haters are sitting behind a keyboard, so we are let off the hook again. We don’t have to prove our love then, do we?

Ah, but what about the really tough ones? Like that coworker or friend we know so well, and they always rub you up the wrong way and have an opinion which is always right, on everything? They will contradict you and always seem to know everything better that you, and not only that, they will quote chapter and verse for anything and everything straight out of the Bible and the top of their head. They can be confrontational, unreasonable, and irritating. Get the picture? What is the commandment, straight from our Lord, Master, and Saviour? Yes, love them.

I suggest that this last type of ‘others’ is the toughest category to love, even more than your worst enemy, and the reason is obvious. They are always right there in front of you to be confronted and challenged, so cannot be ignored. Love and grace are inextricably linked, and seen best in the life of Jesus, so in these and every case, we must show grace, that same love and grace of God which transcends any negative action of the irritating, unlovely and unloving.

A New Commandment

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:34,35

A new commandment? What’s new about it? For a start it isn’t listed in the 10 commandments, and Jesus seemed to think we needed a reminder that love is important, and to get our priorities right. These verses are packed with good things we need to take to heart.

Jesus said said it, so we need to take notice of His authority.

Jesus loves us, always has, and always will, with an unconditional, pure love.

We are to love one another, because that is the best way. It’s Jesus’ way.

People will know we are His followers without any doubt or guessing. Do you want to show others you are serious about their salvation? Love them. Do you want to witness in the greatest way possible? Love them. Do you want to be like Jesus? Love your friends and your enemies.

People will then see Jesus in you, and what better way than love to be a witness, and to draw people to the gospel of salvation?