1 Peter 2:13-17
Make the Master proud of
you by being good citizens. Respect the authorities, whatever their
level; they are God’s emissaries for keeping order. It is God’s will
that by doing good, you might cure the ignorance of the fools who think
you’re a danger to society. Exercise your freedom by serving God, not by
breaking the rules. Treat everyone you meet with dignity. Love your
spiritual family. Revere God. Respect the government.
Scripture
quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002
by Eugeterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO.
All rights reserved.
Earlier this week, I listened to a
press conference held by our President, Barack Obama, when the French
president, François Hollande, visited the United States. President
Obama talked about the terroristic acts committed in Paris a few weeks
ago…and the upcoming summit of world leaders in this city where they
will discuss climate change. My gut instinct was to think, “Oh, NO!
They cannot all assemble there at once!” And I admit…I have had this
same reaction a few other times when I heard of a public appearance by
our President and/or other world leaders - including when President
Hollande recently walked the streets of Paris shortly after the heinous
acts that were committed there.
But then I heard God say to me,
“What do you fear?” And surely, our own President and other leaders
have noted that the greatest power these terrorists have is to make us
fearful. I began to think about fear…and how we as Christians so often
operate in this mode. We talk a good game…we say we trust God and
believe in Him…and then we act in a way that demonstrates complete and
utter fear and trepidation.
We are afraid of people who are
different from us – in any way…color, creed, ethnic background, sexual
orientation, socioeconomic level, or even just physical appearance. We
fear those who practice other religious beliefs. We get a bad
diagnosis, and we wring our hands and worry and stew over what will
happen to us.
We are scared to death that someone will make us
take down our nativity scene on public property or say “Happy Holidays”
instead of “Merry Christmas” – and we act like the whole world will end
if this happens! This is not a message about the commercialization of
our holiday seasons…because I’m right there with you that this has
gotten out of hand.
But I have to ask…what are we demonstrating
to others – especially those who do not believe in Jesus? When we treat
people with disrespect and set ourselves up on pedestals, what are we
saying about the love of Jesus for all people? When we claim salvation
through Jesus Christ and declare that God can do ALL things…then we run
and hide under the covers at the first sign of danger or difficulty, how
does that reflect a faith and trust in God to heal, rescue and redeem
us?
The words of this passage are so beautiful and true…”Treat everyone you meet with dignity. Love your spiritual family. Revere God. Respect the government.”
If we would only start to walk in these tenets and kick fear to the
curb…imagine what might happen. I’m more than willing to find out…are
you?
©2015 Debbie Robus
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