Recently there have been many stories that pop up in the news that have lead to conflicting responses from many people. With the easy and constant access to media and social media many people form opinions and state their position. I don't think this is all together bad I it gives an opportunity for your opinion to be scrutinized and debated for different angles. The benefits of being published are now given to every person with a Facebook account and blog and within minutes of posting you can have hundreds if not thousands of comments and opinions. Some helpful and some a complete waste of cyberspace.
In light of situations like the abundance of children coming across the border, ISIS in Iraq, Hamas and Israel, and the conflict in Ferguson, MO I find myself asking what is the correct christian response. Not what is the conservative or liberal response, or even what is the best response to get our government back on track but as a follower of Christ what is the correct response in this situation and how can I encourage others in that way.
Jesus gave us a picture of what life should be like and what it will be like when he comes to reign on earth. Before he got into the details of exactly what that kind of life looks and acts like he gave a summary list and said if you do these things you will be happy. Not our american you-just-ate-ice-cream happiness but a deep contented, satisfying, joyful, blessedness. That list is commonly referred to as the Beatitudes found in Matthew 5.
Next time you are listening to the news and hear about things happening around the world and are trying to figure out what your response should be in the matter, try looking up Matthew 5 and reading the first few verses and see how you can live the beatitudes out in your response. Are you being meek in your response or are you overbearing and forceful? Are you longing for righteousness or are you longing for constitutional resurrection? Are you seeking peace or do you just want the other guy put in his rightful place?
In the end, when you help the law-breaking kids at the border that need help people will hate you for helping them, when you say that more war is not the best answer people will revile you, when you say that protesting in the streets and creating chaos is not the best way to find the truth, people will call you names and maybe lie about you. But we are ultimately called to love God and spread His truth not to get caught up in the latest and greatest news story and which side of the political line you fall on.
Chances are if you have the same opinion/reaction for the same reasons as the majority of the other political parties out there, it's probably the wrong one. God's way is not natural, is not selfish or self-serving. It also cannot be forced or legislated it has to come from a heart of faith in God. Forced charity is not helpful to the giver or receiver. The giver will despise the receiver for taking what was not his and the receiver will despise the giver for not willingly giving up what is entitled to him.
In light of situations like the abundance of children coming across the border, ISIS in Iraq, Hamas and Israel, and the conflict in Ferguson, MO I find myself asking what is the correct christian response. Not what is the conservative or liberal response, or even what is the best response to get our government back on track but as a follower of Christ what is the correct response in this situation and how can I encourage others in that way.
Jesus gave us a picture of what life should be like and what it will be like when he comes to reign on earth. Before he got into the details of exactly what that kind of life looks and acts like he gave a summary list and said if you do these things you will be happy. Not our american you-just-ate-ice-cream happiness but a deep contented, satisfying, joyful, blessedness. That list is commonly referred to as the Beatitudes found in Matthew 5.
Next time you are listening to the news and hear about things happening around the world and are trying to figure out what your response should be in the matter, try looking up Matthew 5 and reading the first few verses and see how you can live the beatitudes out in your response. Are you being meek in your response or are you overbearing and forceful? Are you longing for righteousness or are you longing for constitutional resurrection? Are you seeking peace or do you just want the other guy put in his rightful place?
In the end, when you help the law-breaking kids at the border that need help people will hate you for helping them, when you say that more war is not the best answer people will revile you, when you say that protesting in the streets and creating chaos is not the best way to find the truth, people will call you names and maybe lie about you. But we are ultimately called to love God and spread His truth not to get caught up in the latest and greatest news story and which side of the political line you fall on.
Chances are if you have the same opinion/reaction for the same reasons as the majority of the other political parties out there, it's probably the wrong one. God's way is not natural, is not selfish or self-serving. It also cannot be forced or legislated it has to come from a heart of faith in God. Forced charity is not helpful to the giver or receiver. The giver will despise the receiver for taking what was not his and the receiver will despise the giver for not willingly giving up what is entitled to him.
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