I'm Right!

My conscience is clear, but that doesn’t prove I’m right. It is the Lord himself who will examine me and decide. 1 Corinthians 4:4

There are a few different common phrases that can show how messed up and off base our modern Western society is. We often hear and use words like:

"Follow your heart."

"You just have to do what you think is right."

"What is your heart telling you?"

"Well, that works for you. I am going to do what works for me."

I think they sound hollow at best, with no need for confirmation. It’s all down to how something makes you, and no one else, feel. It’s so one sided, but that’s a million miles from what Paul is saying here.

Just because you are certain of something, and feel in your heart, mind, and yes even your conscience that it is right…...that doesn’t mean anything. As some might say, it don’t make for a hill o’ beans! The bottom line is this: We don’t have the final say. On anything, whether we are sure of something or not.

Take the example of some Christian deciding that another Christian has got something wrong. It could be in their beliefs, or their outlook, or interpretation of Scripture, and their conscience is clear on the matter, it doesn’t matter! Because at the end of the day It is the Lord himself who will examine ... and decide.

So, how about we get off that high horse of our self righteousness and let the Lord do what only He can do, and that’s examine and judge. Let’s not be heard to utter words like: "You just have to do what you think is right." or “If it feels right for you, that’s the thing to do”, because that decision is way above our pay grade. We need to do what we should have done in the first place, and that’s leave it with the Lord. And who better is there to do the right thing?

Normalised!

I am noticing more and more that things once held as ‘wrong’ are seen as ‘right’ and the other way around. I also frequently hear the words “who has the right to tell me what is good and bad anyway”? It’s a fact that if you keep on doing (wrong) things for long enough, you get used to it. In fact it becomes normal and accepted not only by individuals, but also by the community and eventually society.

The liberal thinkers will call it progress, but cast your mind back some 20-30 years and ask yourself, have all these liberal changes been good for our youth or have we passed them a poisoned chalice? Whether from local or national government, we have relaxed our views on many things we once felt ‘wrong’ and immoral. It’s not difficult to list some and you could add more:

>Ease of gender abortion.

>Making a district a ‘safe place’ for prostitution.

>Providing clean drug rooms where addicts can inject and ‘stay safe from infection’.

>Movie and TV censorship is now almost non existent, and sex and violence is rampant.

>Unrestricted access to pornography on the unregulated internet.

>Promotion of ‘alternative gender lifestyles’ to appear inclusive, and not cause offence.

>Calls for the decriminalisation of drugs.

>There is no absolute truth. Everything is relative. What is right for you, is not right for me.

I think there is a direct link between the fact that the gospel is no longer preached in many of our churches, and has now been replaced by a feelgood, social psychology message without the need for repentance. Small wonder church attendance is falling. The primary  reason for the church’s existence is no longer known, taught or preached, so why attend? If ever a Holy Ghost revival is needed, it is now!   

Woe, judgment is coming to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness; Who substitute bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! Isaiah 5:20 AMP

Choices

Sometimes it’s the little decisions which eat away at you, and take their toll as you try to think through all the consequences. Big problems require big decisions, and usually the answers are obvious, so making that right choice can be easier to see.

You visit the doctor because you are breathless, and he tells you to cut out the cigarettes or you are in danger of contracting lung cancer. You know what you are told makes sense, and all you are left with is the choice. Quit smoking or carry on regardless and risk the consequences to your health.

Perhaps it’s a visit to find the cause of the body tremors you are experiencing, and after a full medical examination the doctor tells you to reduce the alcohol intake, or cut it out altogether. Again, you know it makes sense and you are left with a choice. Quit drinking alcohol or carry on regardless and risk the consequences to your liver.  

I find the small, almost insignificant decisions are toughest. Let me be honest. It’s Facebook. So, what’s the problem I hear you say? It’s not like the end of the civilised world if you don’t log on, and you further suggest that I could always ‘unfriend myself’, ie delete my account. Of course these pieces of advice are good and make sense. We know that Facebook is a window into our head, and gives lots of hints and clues as to the kind of person we are, and most importantly how we think. Like you, I warm to those who are like me, and can become cool to those who have differing views on some things I see as important.

There is a wise old saying that we should not discuss politics or religion with friends, and with good reason. These subjects above all others touch us where we are most vulnerable and can  make us react in an unkind way. I confess to being guilty of sitting on both sides of that fence, and as a result hurting others, and also being hurt as a consequence. Maybe you can see my dilemma (if you have followed me this far). So, it all comes down to this: Do I listen and adopt the sensible choice, or do I carry on regardless risking the consequences to my inner health, and possibly the relationship of dear friends?

If things go quiet from my end, whether it turns out to be temporary or permanent, you will hopefully know and understand why. In the words of the age old relationship breakup line, “It’s not you, it’s me”. Either way, it doesn’t signal the end of the world, right?

Whatever!

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things. Philippians 4:8

That’s quite a lovely verse and quoted often, but usually in the safety of our own terms and worldview. I am reminded of the good and selfless street Pastors who stand outside nightclubs to provide Christian support for revellers when they leave. Sometimes it’s a warm cheery smile, sometimes a pair of flip flops and a foil wrap when ladies emerge without their shoes, and are not dressed for the cold night air. Sometimes a word of the Gospel is left with the partygoers, but it is all done to show a Christlike Spirit and example. Who knows the results or eternal consequences of their actions? These people and their actions are indeed praiseworthy.

If you live in Europe anywhere, you will already be sucked into the atmosphere of Euro 2016 football, and you will almost certainly be rooting for your national team probably from the safety of your living room TV set! You cannot fail to have noticed the violence both on and off the sports arena. Drunken brawls, flares and missiles thrown, blood spilled, man against man in acts of war-like aggression resulting in a peak of hospital admissions. And all this requires the police to forcibly disperse rioting fans with tear gas! Now if you are of that mindset, and don’t mind being associated with these actions, then by all means go and take part in the ‘sporting atmosphere’ with all the attendant risks involved. You could be made (in)famous by being beamed across the continent among the hooligan, drunken groups. You could be injured and bring shame on your reputation in the eyes of your family, children and grandchildren. That really is a high risk strategy.

I bring these two groups of people in contrast to make a point. Which group would you think reflects the verse in Philippians 4:8? If a Christian is going to be involved and associated with something which is a window to the world, shouldn’t it mirror the goodness that Paul commands? Paul is near the end of this letter, and has said a lot beforehand, but he starts this part with the word, “Finally”. In other words, “When all is said and done”, or “In the end”, or “above all else” and the rest of the text follows. I leave you with another observation. In the first instance of the street Pastors, they do not enter the premises unless it is to do good works. In the second instance, christians find no conflict, not only going into the ‘games’, but also put themselves and their reputations in harm's way, and have no intention of doing good, witnessing or shining a light among the drunken brawlers.

I leave the defence of the onsite football fans in their own or someone else's hands. Maybe there are examples where Scripture condones and encourages this, but it doesn’t seem to fit with today’s verse. When Jesus ate with sinners, it always resulted in a positive outcome and lives were changed. There is another way the word ‘Whatever’ could be used, and it fits with a youth, who faced with an adult telling them they had said or done something risky, rolls their eyes, tilts their head and says in disbelief and defiance… Whatever!

Unity and Division

Like all places where similar people choose to meet, be it a club or a church, unity of mind and purpose is essential for its survival. There are few better places to be than with people who share your thoughts and views, where you can feel relaxed in the company as a whole. Since we are all human, differences can and do occur, which if big enough, can eventually cause disunity and then lead to division. When a club or church is divided, people get disenchanted, leave, and eventually it has to change, or it falls.

A church is not a club, it is a gathering place for all ages who want to learn about God’s Word, and those who claim the personal saving grace of Jesus Christ. So, the church is different, right? Oh I wish that was true, but unfortunately a church and a club have a common denominator. Their members are both fallible and imperfect beings. We may be human, but we are also supposed to be different because we are not our own, ‘we are bought with a price’ (1 Cor 6:20). Are we so human that we cannot see the price Jesus paid for our unity?

Why do we always have to be ‘right’ and get ‘our own way’? This applies to every age and ministry group, without exception. There can be a very fine line between unity and division, and sometimes we ignore the cracks that appear, and then before we know it, the house has fallen, with no winners! It’s one thing for a secular club, but born again Christians should know better, right? Sorry, ‘fraid not! From the dusty rubble, I can picture two opposing ‘my way’ groups facing each other saying, ‘now why did they have to force the issue like they did’? Am I right in questioning their salvation, or is that a step too far, and should that ‘crack’ also be ignored? Just asking.  

Any kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and a house divided against itself will fall. Luke 11:17 NIV

Right! Right?

Be devoted to one another in love. Honour one another above yourselves. Romans 12:10

We love this verse, because it always applies to someone else who needs the reminder. It isn’t needed for me, is it? Wrong, because Paul was clear in his teaching when he says we should honour one another ABOVE YOURSELVES. Sometimes we think we are right, but in truth, most of the time we KNOW we are right, without any wiggle room, and that is dangerous territory.

We need to be very careful to allow others to be able to express their views, graciously hear them through, and allow for them to be properly understood, because they very well might be right, and oh diddums, we just could be the one in the wrong after all. I would suggest that the Godly thing to do is let the other person be right, especially when it is not going to change the course of the earth’s orbit! Is that so hard?

Relationships are key to our faith. That includes our Heavenly Father, but also our family and friends. Rule of thumb is: God is always right, but we should show enough grace to allow our friends to be right too, even at our own expense. Would that hurt so much? Or is it too important that we are never seen to be wrong? I can see a direct link in this verse between ‘devotion’ and ‘honour’. If we are really devoted to each other in Christian love, then honouring each other above ourselves, should not be too difficult.

Let me put it another way. When the living and active Church of God is working as it should, and we ALL allow for each other’s thoughts, feelings, and opinions, and then some of our difficulties will just not arise! Simply because we are all showing humility before God, and respect to our fellow Christians. If we can’t do that, I think we may have to check our own spiritual health to see if our faith-heart is beating. Just a thought.

700+ UK Lives Lost in Afghanistan

A terrible milestone of 700 UK service men and women have paid the ultimate price, and made the supreme sacrifice in Afghanistan since we were deployed there just a few years ago. It is a dreadful thing to lose any life in war, never mind 700! The news media, quite rightly paid a lot of attention to the war effort, and the part played by our brave military, both men and women, as they try to defeat an enemy which is almost unseen.


I don't want to get into an argument of whether the war in Afghanistan is just or unjust, or if we should be bringing our troops home now, or later. The thing that strikes me is the way we treat the word 'war'. This is not a numbers game, and neither is it played on games consoles of the Nintendo, or x-Box series. War is blood, lost limbs, shattered bones, broken bodies and psychological and emotional scars. Then there is the death of many. We seem to have missed some of that, and have come round to a way of thinking that war is somehow clean, and sanitised. We can kill from a distance, thus protecting ourselves from injury or death. We think we can be involved in a war from a safe way off, and without any loss of life. Our lives!


How do we come to think that 700 is a high number to be lost in a war? Between 1939 and 1945, the Russians lost 20 Million, yes 20 Million, Germany lost 7 Million, UK and USA 1 Million! In the context of these figures, where does Afghanistan stand? Does that make it a less just war? I don't think so. I think it is the attitude and resolve of the people who fought these battles that make the difference. They didn't have the benefit of Nintendo or Wii or X-Box, so they didn't think in terms of a bloodless war. They had the courage of conviction. We have lost that.


If we now had courage or convictions, we could make the correct judgement call to pull out of Afghanistan, or stay the course until the job is done. Until then, we play pretend computer games in our minds and delude ourselves into thinking we can have war without loss of life! Of course, the Taliban and Al Qaeda don't think like that, do they?