Christian Love

“But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,”

Matthew 5:44

This is not a political statement. In fact, as I look back on the previous presidential election, I believe the right person won. I also believe that God puts the people in office that He wants and does so for a reason. But I look at comments made recently by our president and I cringe as they fly in the face of what the Bible says a Christian should do.

I cringe because I know President Trump professes to be a Christian and his statement makes me wonder if he is being mentored by mature Christians whose goal is to make a disciple of Christ. I hope that he was joking and that deep down he knows what Christ Himself taught us. I cringe because more than once have I heard pastors commenting on how people in their churches did not believe that “love your enemies,” is in the Bible and they weren’t joking. My heart is troubled as I wonder if we are missing the opportunity to, “…be perfect, just as (our) Father in heaven is perfect.” (Matthew 5:48)

Those who follow Jesus are called to love our neighbor AND our enemies. This is what Jesus taught and doing so allows us to follow in His footprints. Anything less than that completely misses the mark.

⁴³ “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ ⁴⁴But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, ⁴⁵ that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. ⁴⁶ For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? ⁴⁷ And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? ⁴⁸ Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.

Mark5:43-48, NKJV copied from Biblegateway.com

The Servant-God

{The following is an entry from my personal journal dated January 9, 2020, and is sort of a free flow of thought that came to me after reading Matthew 20:28.}

Matthew 20:28

Jesus was all powerful before the incarnation. Even in the flesh He was powerful. He could have used His power for His own gain. He could have demonstrated His power in order to make people bow before Him. Instead, He used His power to serve, coming as a servant by His own declaration. This has implications for how I understand fear as it is used in verses like Psalm 145:19. It has implications for how I should see my relationship with Him. It also has implications for how I see my own relationship with others.

Is the fear spoken of in Psalm 145:19 really the trembling kind? I think of the pillar that led Israel through the wilderness. To the Egyptians it was something to be feared to the point where they stopped in God’s presence and did not advance upon the people. To Israel it was something that brought comfort and leadership, though they feared it when they rebelled. Salvation makes a big difference in how I stand before God. I can stand in reverence and need not shake from fear. This seems like what the servant Jesus wanted.

I revere God but do I see that He wants to use His power for my good? This is where things get tough. A servant-God sounds like an oxymoron. Yet, that is the picture painted of Christ by His words and deeds. He could call down a legion of angels to destroy all mankind, yet He came to serve mankind. I only exist at His pleasure, yet He wants to work all things for my good. I understand Peter’s hesitation when Jesus wanted to wash his feet. God is awesome and wonderful and powerful, and it would freak me out to no end if He suddenly wanted to wash my feet. This is the best description of my daily faith struggle. God could crush me in a blink of an eye. He deserves my praise and worship. He wants that but He also wants to serve me.

Because God wants to serve, I likewise should want to serve others. Any power God gives me is intended for this very cause. Any gift He gives me is so that I can serve those around me. Even His love is intended for service in the lives of others. I need to follow my Lord and serve those whom He brings into my life.

I pray the Holy Spirit helps me come to terms with the oxymoron: the servant-God. I pray the Holy Spirit helps me follow in His shoes.

It Can’t Be All Negative? Can It?

I read that the president wants a total review of the Smithsonian Institute, with a focus on how decisions are made as to what is shown in its exhibits. According to several reports, the president has instructed attorneys to examine the museums that make up the institute, using the same process they used in examining colleges and universities. I for one hope that the Smithsonian Institute and any other museums that are investigated take this opportunity to instruct us all on what they do. But to be honest, I fear that they already are off to a bad start in their own defense.

In response I’ve heard a lot of talk about the need to remember our history along with the need to tell the whole story, both of which are true. I’ve also heard a lot about the need for museums to remain independent, a point on which I also agree. What I have not heard is talk about anything positive that our museums say about our country. Now, I admit that I have never been to any of the Smithsonian Museums and that I know little about what they have in their exhibits, but I just can’t believe that it is all negative. If in fact the presentation of our history is fair and balanced, then now is the time to state their case.

When they were examined by the administration, our colleges and universities did a terrible job at responding, providing soundbites that gave the impression that they were out of touch and perhaps even antisemitic. The Smithsonian Institute, along with the rest of our nation’s museums, should be able to avoid this kind of response. If, as they claim to do, our museums tell a fair and balanced story, they should endeavor to do so even under an examination that is pushing an agenda. Hopefully, they will take this opportunity to teach the administration, and the rest of our nation, the importance of knowing our history: both the good and the bad. This is a great PR opportunity, but I am afraid that, like a certain political party that shall go unnamed, our most treasured museum system is on the verge of blowing it.