30

Jump Start # 1384

Posted on June 30, 2015 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 1384

John 4:35 “Do you not say, ‘There are yet four months, and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look on the fields, that they are white for harvest.”

  Our passage today shows the great difference that is often found in how we see things and how the Lord sees things. In the context, the disciples asked Jesus to eat. He replied that that He had food that they did not know about. He went on to reveal that His food was to do the will of Him who sent Him. Jesus was determined to accomplish the work that He was sent to do. That work was to seek and save the lost. Our verse follows, lift up your eyes and look. It’s harvest time.

 

Borrowing from the principles of farming, which Jesus often did, such as in the parable of the sower, now He deals with the harvest. The harvest is what farming is all about. Some like being outdoors. Some may like the feel of dirt on their hands. But in the end, farming is not about pulling weeds, planting seeds, cleaning your equipment, it’s about the harvest. Without a harvest, farmers go broke. The harvest makes it or breaks it for farmers. The harvest is very important to farmers.

 

In this setting, harvest was still four months out. The seed has been planted. The crop is growing. Now it’s waiting. James talks about the farmer who waits for the precious produce of the soil, being patient about it. Four months until harvest. I’m a city guy, always have been. I suppose during those four months the farmer is fixing his machinery, mowing fields, pulling weeds, and getting things ready for when the harvest comes. Basically, he’s waiting. Planting season and harvest seasons are the busy times. The in between times are not as hectic. Farmers in Jesus’ day really had some down time. They didn’t have the massive machinery our modern farmers must maintain. Back then they generally stuck with one or two crops and the science of crop rotation wasn’t known. So, the in between time was a waiting time.

 

Jesus, using the coming harvest as His lesson, told the disciples to open their eyes. Look upon the fields. They are ready for harvest. They are ready now. This was most unusual in farming terms. The harvest wouldn’t be ready that soon. Jesus was finished talking about farming. He was now talking about spiritual matters. He was talking about His work. The harvest was ready now. People were ready to hear the Gospel. Lives were ready to be changed. Now was the time. Jesus didn’t come to earth to have some down time. A quick read of the Gospels and one will find very little “off time” for Jesus. He was on the move. He was teaching. He was with people. He was always about His Father’s business. His time was short, but His purpose very clear. Upon the cross He could declare, “It is finished.” The “it” wasn’t Him, but the work that He came to do. He finished it. He completed it. He didn’t leave anything undone.

 

Lift up your eyes and see. Now is the time to be busy. Now is the time to get about things. Here lies the great contrast between what Jesus saw and what we see. We see four more months. We see a down time. We see no hurry now. That’s not what Jesus saw.

 

That contrast, between what Jesus saw and what others saw, is found throughout the gospels. Remember, the bent over woman in the synagogue? Sure everyone noticed her, but Jesus saw her. He healed her that day. The blind man that they passed one day, brought a question from the disciples about who caused his blindness. They were curious about the spiritual origin of his disease. Not one of them thought to ask Jesus to help Him. Jesus cured the man. Little Zacchaeus up in the tree. Jesus saw him and invited Himself to his house. Jesus saw something in a tax collector named Matthew. He chose him to be one of the apostles. Jesus saw things in people that most didn’t. We tend to see issues, layers, complicated problems, where as, Jesus sees a soul. A troubled soul. A lost soul. A hurting soul. Lift up your eyes and see.

 

There comes another thought from the ‘lifting up your eyes,’ principle. There are those who can see how things could be. They see what it would be like if the principles of the Scriptures were applied. They see what could happen if everyone chipped in and did their part. They see a leadership that is compassionate, involved and helping each member one on one. They see a church that is united and caring. They see the little ones being helped by the big ones. They see what patience and growth would do to a congregation. They see future elders in young men. They see a preacher in a young man. They see a group that loves, forgives and accepts. They see people connected and sharing. Through the principles of the Bible, they see that. The few that see that often get discouraged when others don’t. They haven’t lifted up their eyes. They don’t see that the fields are white for harvest. Not yet. Not now. Some can see what could be and most don’t. Most are content to live day to day. Change comes slowly. Change sometimes is fought. Visionaries have existed behind every invention and every political cause. It is what fuels movements to change. Some can see what could be. Potential is there. But too often, realty is nothing more than sitting on the couch playing video games. Those that see get discouraged with those that do not see. Those that see want change and they want it quickly. Those that do not see, do not see the need for change. They are content to keep things the way they are.

 

In the Vietnam war era, John Lennon sang a song, “Imagine.” Imagine everyone getting along. Imagine no differences. Imagine no wars. He saw things that most never would. Lennon’s Imagine was a world without God and in such a world there is no basis for peace and getting along. It’s every man for himself. It’s get what you can get. But I do understand the visionary concept. I am that way. I told someone recently that I do not know if I will ever see a congregation live up to the potential that I can envision. That can be discouraging. It’s like a parent or a school teacher who has a very gifted child, but the child doesn’t want to live up to his potential. He’s content to float. He’s content to do as little as possible. Challenges don’t move him. Special studies, classes and opportunities don’t excite him. Sitting around listening to music and playing with his phone seems to be his greatest ambition. Oh, to have his talent. Oh, to have his opportunities. Lift up your eyes.

 

Could that thought be said of each of us? Have we settled into things that are easy, safe and not too challenging? When we teach a class, is it a subject that we have taught over and over, so we can do it with very little effort? Do we find ourselves preaching things that we are comfortable preaching? Do we find ourselves singing the same songs, doing the same things, over and over, because we can? Have we given up on lifting up our eyes because that may lead to change, challenges and involve a lot of time and work that we simply do not feel like devoting?

 

What could our congregations be like? What could we be like? What could I be like? Have we taken those spiritual principles that we have learned over and over and plugged them into our hearts to see what we could become? Have we reached our peak?

 

I heard a story about an Amish guy who bought a Ferrari. He was not able to drive it because of the Amish ways. He sat in the bright red car as it was pulled by two mules. He was not using the sports car to it’s potential. Makes a person think, doesn’t it? Have we really lifted up our eyes in a while? What would we see? What could be done? What potential might we reach?

 

Lift up your eyes… give it a try today. What do you see? How do you see your congregation? How do you see your family? How do you see yourself? Don’t say there are four months, lift those eyes up.

 

Roger

 

29

Jump Start # 1383

Posted on June 29, 2015 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 1383

Judges 2:10 “All that generation also were gathered to their fathers; and there arose another generation after them who did not know the Lord, nor yet the work which He had done for Israel.”

  Last week the Supreme Court made a decision about same-sex marriage. It seems that the social media exploded with reaction about that decision. Some are dancing in the streets now, rejoicing. They got what they wanted. Others, are crying within as they see our nation taking another step toward ungodliness. Now, that the debate is over and the decision has been declared, who knows what the same-sex advocates will do. There will be another social agenda that they will push that will take us yet further from God. They are marching, not on Washington, but to the sound of Satan. To say anything in opposition, is to be hammered as a hate monger. Deluded preachers line up with the same-sex crowd and announce that the Lord says love one another. Not understanding the Scriptures nor even the core foundation of holiness and righteousness, they further confuse the masses who haven’t read the Bible in years.

 

The bigger picture, with the legalization of marijuana, states passing out needles for heroin uses, same-sex marriage nation wide, the re-writing of our country’s history, is that we have a nation that is very similar to Israel after Joshua died. Our passage today states that there was another generation who did not know the Lord.

 

What follows is the results of a nation without God:

 

  • They did evil in the sight of the Lord (11)
  • They served the Baals (11)
  • They bowed down to the other gods around them (12)
  • They angered the Lord (12)

 

As a result God sold them into the hands of the enemies. A long cycle of the Judges, lasting about 400 years took place.

 

We are witnessing a generation that does not know God. Without a compass, the people drift with the tide of what is easy, sinful and selfish. Many who quote God on the social media, do not understand the Bible nor the purpose of the Bible.

 

So, here we are adrift in a nation that has no direction. Selfishness continues to rise. The hatred of all things good and decent climbs. As in Isaiah’s day, “good is being called bad and bad is being called good.” What can we do? I’m hearing that cry from many righteous people.

 

First, Biblical history teaches us that God has had righteous people even in the darkest days. I cannot imagine a foreign country, like China, invading us and kidnapping some of our young people back to China. Back in the days of Judah, it wasn’t China, but Babylon that did that very thing. The nation was invaded. The temple destroyed. People were killed. Many were taken to Babylon. We know of a few, such as the three Jewish boys in the fiery furnace and Daniel, but there were others who were faithful to God. That group and their children returned after many years. They were faithful. During the New Testament’s dark days of Jewish and then Roman persecution, God’s people remained faithful to Him. God has always heard the cries of His people. He heard them in Egypt. He heard them under the altar in Revelation. So, the first lesson the Bible teaches us is that we will continue to be faithful to God. Our hope is not in who can take over Washington, but He who sits upon the throne in Heaven. We must stand with God. No bending. No compromising. No caving in. No tolerating of wrong. No hatred. No ugliness. No mud slinging. When God has placed the stake in the ground, is where we will stand. We do not fear what man can do to us.

 

Second, we must teach our families and then our friends the Bible. In Joshua’s day, a generation arose that did not know the Lord. Why? Why did they not know? What were the parents doing? What was the leaders doing? It’s time for serious Bible learning. It’s time to know what God says, how God’s people are to respond, and what God expects of us. It’s time for churches to get serious about teaching. Many are. It’s time for our people to really know the Lord.

 

Third, Jesus said, many will follow the easy path to destruction. It’s wide. It’s crowded. It’s not demanding. What is happening is nothing more than what Jesus said. There are few who will do what is right. We must surround ourselves with those few. We must spend time with those few. We must turn off dumb TV shows. We must stop reading and watching those things that make our blood pressure rise. Pray more. The loonies may want to change every flag, so what. The banner I pledge my allegiance to is the banner of Christ. They can’t touch that one. What is happening is nothing new. Sadly, God has seen it all too often.

 

Fourth, we must in kindness and calmness speak up for God. When folks declare, “Jesus says love,” just reply, “He really said, if you love Me, keep my commandments.” When co-workers proudly state, “The Bible says, “don’t judge,” just reply, “No, actually God tells us to judge. Check it out. It’s there. “ Don’t get in a shouting match with those who are not looking for truth, but rather, they are trying to destroy. Don’t debate a fool. Don’t engage in a conversation in which it is one sided and the intention is to make your faith seem stupid. Nothing good can come from that.

 

We must continue to be faithful to God. If a court can change the definition of marriage, I suppose they can change the definition of life. Once we start changing definitions, wrong becomes right. For my little grandbabies it will be a different world for them, but with godly parents who are teaching them, it will be ok. My generation was so different than my dads. He was part of that greatest generation that survived a depression and fought a massive world war. My generation burned the flag and smoked dope and protested.  We marched in the streets. We engaged in free love. Drugs filled the air and our veins. Hippies became heroes. The songs were of rebellion and anti authority. Those were my times. But I’m not a hippie. I don’t do drugs. I don’t burn flags. I walk with the Lord. I’m honored to preach His word. I try to live righteously. There are many of my generation who didn’t fair well. They were jailed. They died young. They lived without a purpose. But as for me, like Joshua of old, and my house, we will serve the Lord.

 

We will continue to serve the Lord. So don’t fret my brethren. Don’t lose hope. Don’t quit the battle. We are marching, not to Washington, but to Zion, beautiful, beautiful Zion. Could it be, like Esther, that God has placed us here for such an occasion as this?

 

Roger

 

26

Jump Start # 1382

Posted on June 26, 2015 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 1382

Ephesians 5:1-2 “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself  up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.”

 

My friend Josh is a fire fighter. We had lunch yesterday. I love catching up with him. He is a man of faith, through and through. I learned that new recruits are given a one on one mentor to help them learn the ropes of the fire department and what to do and not to do when they are called on a run. All of us have had help through the years. I doubt any of us just “figured out” how to tie our shoes on our own. A parent showed us. There was a parent helping us take that first ride on our bikes without the training wheels. Then there was learning how to mow the yard, do the dishes, and driving. We had help showing us what to do.

 

In the church, we’ve had helping and guiding hands for those of us that served publicly. There were tips that others shared with us, such as don’t drink a Coke before you preach or you’ll burb in the microphone and everyone will hear you. Not good.

 

Our passage shares with us the greatest mentor and help of all, Jesus Christ. There is no one greater than Jesus. There is no friend like Jesus. There has been no help like the Lord’s help. He is the greatest example. When it comes to learning forgiveness, look to Jesus. When it comes to compassion, Jesus is the best. When it comes to dedication and being focused, it’s Jesus. When it comes to obedience, Jesus was perfect. Purity, it’s Jesus. Kindness, it’s Jesus. Worship, it’s Jesus. Praying, again, it’s Jesus. We sing, “what a friend we have in Jesus.” Indeed.

 

Our passage defines our relationship and shows purpose and function. We are God’s children. He is our Father. Like a child, we imitate our Father. My dad turns 90 in a couple of weeks. That’s old. He knows that’s old. He never expected to live that long. I doubt I will live that long. There are things I do because of him. I am a fanatic about my yard. It must be green, weed free and look like a golf course. That’s the way our yard was when I was a kid. My dad was always nuking dandelions, working hard at it and making it something of beauty. I don’t ever remember having a “father-son” discussion about yards. I saw what he did and liked the results and have followed that path. Many of us do similar things. It may be the way you take care of your car. It may be how you decorate your house. We’ve learned things from our parents.

 

Paul tells the Ephesians to imitate God. Do this by walking as Christ walked, in love. To be thoughtful of others and to go out of your way for others is what we learn from Jesus. There are limitations in imitating God. He is perfect, we never will be. He is all knowing, we are not. He is all powerful, we are not. He needs nothing, we need Him. However, even with these limitations, we can and should imitate Him. We imitate kindness, thoughtfulness. We imitate holiness. We imitate the concern for others. Selfishness ruins our looking like God. When we ignore the Samaritans in our life, we are not like Jesus. When we gossip and say mean things about others, we are not like Jesus. When we avoid others, like the rich man ignored poor Lazarus, we are not like Jesus.

 

Imagine what our churches would be like if just about everyone imitated God. Imagine the care, the love, the support that would flow through such places. Imagine all the people that would show up when there was a need. Imagine the multiple prayers that would be lifted up when there was a concern. Imagine the hugs, tears and love when one returned from the far country. Imagine forgiveness being the rule. Imagine gossip being tossed out. Imagine the big ones showing the little ones how to do things. Imagine everyone thinking the best of each other. Imagine hope abounding and goodness being the rule. There are places like that. I’ve seen that. It doesn’t just happen, it takes people imitating God. It takes purpose and planning. In such places, folks don’t talk about leaving, quitting or splitting. Why? You couldn’t find a better place. In such places, new faces are showing up all the time because people are looking for something just like that. They tire of beating each other up. They tire of shooting their own wounded. They tire of playing church and pretending to be what they really are not.

 

Imitate God. Paul told the Corinthians a similar thing. The Romans were told to be conformed to the image of Christ. Peter told his readers to be holy as He is holy. There is a new role model on the street, and that is God. Imitating God will help us watch what we say. Instead of beginning a sentence with, “I probably shouldn’t say this…” the imitator of God, simply doesn’t say it. The imitator of God thinks of Isaiah’s words, “Here am I, send me.” I’ll help in the kingdom. I’ll do my part. I’ll do my best.

 

Be like God. Not only will that change our churches, it changes our homes. Husbands would drop this male ego and be helpful, kind and thoughtful to their wives. He’d listen to her and find ways to honor her. She’d would make him feel like the king of the world. Together, with grace, forgiveness and Christ, they would grow in faith, head closer to Heaven and be a team for the kingdom. Together, they’d open up their home for others. Company would be a regular thing because it’s around the table that real friendships are made and faith is encouraged. Their children would first see God through the eyes of the parents. Responsibility, respect, authority, obedience, love, hope, forgiveness and acceptance would be the standard. Kids would want to be home because it’s a great place to be. You’d find them having their friends over because their friends would be welcome and find something that they don’t have in their own homes. Imitating God shows. Following God is nothing more than letting your light shine. That’s missing today. People long for it but don’t know where or how to find it. Imitate God is the answer.

 

So there we have it. The call is before us. Imitate God. Do that when you drive. Do that at work. Do that when you come home. Show others what God would be like. This is how Jesus would be if He walked in my shoes, had my schedule, lived in my house, drove my car, worked for my boss. Jesus in me. That’s a tall order, but God thinks you can do it. All of this takes some thinking before we act. It takes some thinking before you just open your mouth. Be like Jesus.

 

Let the beauty of Jesus be seen in me…

 

Roger

 

25

Jump Start # 1381

Posted on June 25, 2015 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 1381

Luke 24:13 “And behold, two of them were going that very day to a village named Emmaus, which was about seven miles from Jerusalem.”

  The road to Emmaus became one of the most impressive post resurrection stories of Jesus. Our risen Lord took the time to walk the seven miles from Jerusalem to Emmaus with Cleopas and another unnamed traveler. The two travelers did not recognize Jesus. They were saddened because they had heard that Jesus was to redeem Israel. They knew of the crucifixion. They knew that something was supposed to happen after three days. They had even heard reports from some women who had gone to the grave of Jesus and found it empty. They told of angels and visions and the claim that He was alive. Some of the disciples had checked out the tomb, and found it to be empty. Rumors were flying that day.

 

But now, these two were walking home. They were walking home, the text tells us, sad. They seemed to be disappointed. They must not have believed the reports. As they walked, they talked. As I write these words, a neighbor is out for a morning walk. The neighbor is walking fast. A brisk walk for exercise. These two heading home to Emmaus, were sad. A sad walk is not the same as the early morning exercise walk. I’ve seen the sad walk before. I’ve seen it when parents have dropped off their child at college for the first time. There is some reluctance to let them go. I’ve seen that sad walk after the funeral. The final “amen” has been said, folks have hung around and visited, most have left, and now the family returns to the car. It’s a slow, sad walk. There have been a few times when I have preached my final sermon at a congregation. That last time to the pulpit, the one final look around the office where so many hours were spent, the pulling out of the parking lot, and the final look back, tears, reflection, prayers and a bit of sadness.

 

There are some interesting things about these two Emmaus guys.

 

First, with what seemed to be such convincing evidence about an empty tomb, they still didn’t believe. The women had been there. Some of the disciples had been there. It fit with what Jesus was saying, “three days.” It all made sense, but here they are, walking home sad. They seem to be a bit like Thomas, the doubter, who said, I will not believe unless I see. Jesus said, ‘blessed are those who have not seen yet believed.” That’s us. You are I walk on that road to Emmaus. The Lord hasn’t shown Himself to us literally. He has not appeared in a vision like Saul of Tarsus witnessed. He has not held out His hands as He did for Thomas. Our faith is based upon what others said. The evidence is overwhelming. The proof is there.

 

Second, the Emmaus duo would experience with the disciples, what they had with the report from the women. Once they reached Emmaus, a seven mile journey, and their eyes and hearts were opened and they realized that it was Jesus, they hurried back to Jerusalem. Another seven miles. I expect the journey back was much faster. They had changed from being sad to being excited. When there is exciting news to share, we hurry. They couldn’t wait to see the rest of the disciples. They had good news to share. It is Jesus. He is alive. The sad walk turned into a fast, exciting walk. They probably ran. I would have. The Gospel of Mark tells us that when they reported to the others about Jesus, “they did not believe them either.” Just as the reports from the women were disbelieved, now their story was not believed either. They felt what the women felt.

 

Third, it’s amazing that the resurrected Savior took the time to walk seven miles to Emmaus with these two men. Why spend the time with these two? Why walk toward the small village of Emmaus? Why not show up in Pilate’s palace? Why not stand on top of the Temple and thunder your voice? Why not appear in Rome? Why on a lonely road with two lonely guys heading to a small village? God doesn’t operate the way we think He should. His ways are higher than our ways. The two disappointed men heading home would have spread their disappointing news to others. The gloom and doom would have been told over and over. Instead, Jesus appeared. He didn’t just show up and vanish. He walked with them. Seven miles. He began with Moses, and using Scriptures, told His story. He connected the dots spiritually. He didn’t just show them, He taught them. They understood. They could now tell others, based upon Scriptures why Jesus came and died. They had Biblical proof, taught by Jesus.

 

Wouldn’t you have loved to sat in that Bible class, with Jesus as the teacher? Now, loaded with this evidence, visible proof and Scriptural proof, these two men, could spread the news about the risen Savior. Not only had they seen Him, they had been taught by Him, and they had proof from the Scriptures. They knew. There was no doubting among them now.

 

What Jesus did with these two, serves as an example for us. Jesus showed us how to have a Bible study. These two men had doubts. They were not sure. Jesus allowed them to talk. He then began with Moses and showed through the Scriptures what Jesus came to do. That’s what we must do as well. Don’t just tell someone, show them. Prove it. Use the Bible. Let others read it in their own Bibles. Explain Scriptures. Point to Scriptures. Build that foundation of faith based upon Scripture.

 

Jesus took the time to teach two guys heading home. It’s the same thing that we can do. A simple Bible study. It takes time, patience, listening and showing—but when it all comes together, eyes are opened and hearts believe.

 

My spiritual hero, Dee Bowman, when preaching about Heaven, talks about seeing these too little guys just inside Heaven’s gate. In a masterful way, He makes the journey to Heaven seem like a seven mile walk with the Lord.

 

The road to Emmaus is a journey that most of us take. We have questions, doubts and are not sure. We look. We listen. We read Scripture. We are taught. We learn. We become sure. Joy fills our heart. The rest of the journey becomes much different than how we started.

 

The road to Emmaus…our journey with the Lord.

 

Roger

 

24

Jump Start # 1380

Posted on June 24, 2015 by Jump Starts Daily in Jump Starts Daily | Tagged | Leave a comment

Jump Start # 1380

Matthew 12:14 “But the Pharisees went out and conspired against Him, as to how they might destroy Him.”

  Hatred of those that are different is nothing new. We hear more and more about hate crimes and the volumes of speeches given about what will fix these things. Racial hatred. Religious hatred. Hatred toward foreigners. Hatred toward the government. Hatred toward the rich. Hatred toward homosexuals. The spirit of tolerance that progressives and Hollywood has been preaching for decades doesn’t seem to be working. Some are calling for state flags to be changed. Others are wanting the removal of statues dedicated in honor of men of history to be removed. Across the seas, America is hated. There are those who would like to destroy us, for no other reason than what we stand for. School bullying is a problem. Hatred is alive and well. It probably has always been that way, and it is now more visible, talked about and discussed openly.

 

Hate does something awful inside of us. It’s not a good feeling. It messes with our thinking and shapes how we live and act toward others. Hatred grows and spreads. It’s a negative feeling. It usually doesn’t lie dormant. Something is said, or something is done that reflects a hateful heart.

 

Is all hatred wrong? We must be careful how we answer that and understand what we mean. God hates sin. God is never wrong. God is a righteous God. God does not tolerate wrong. Darkness and light do not dwell together with God. Certain actions, behaviors and attitudes are not to be tolerated but rather changed. The call to repentance is the call to change. The disgust over a sin can not transfer to how we feel about a person. If it did, then we’d allow only clean people into our church buildings. Most of us wouldn’t pass the test. Hate the sin and love the sinner is not a phrase you’ll find in the Bible but the concept is there. God hates sin, yet “God so loved the world…” He sent the best of Heaven to redeem us from our sins. Had God hated us, He would have allowed us to die in our sins.

 

The woman caught in adultery, the woman at the well, who had been through multiple relationships, the cheating Zacchaeus, illustrate sinful behavior that God would not tolerate, however God loved the people. God saw a future in each of them. God was willing to give them a new chance in Him. It is hard for some to make that distinction. Hating the sin spills over to disgust for the person. Shunning some because their hair is two different colors, they have tattoos, piercings, dress differently is not something that Jesus would do. Sinful behavior stops when one has been taught the Gospel of Christ. Loving the sinner should never stop.

 

Our passage today reflects how some deal with hatred, they want to destroy. The Pharisees were not accepting that Jesus was the Christ. His words were blasphemous to them. Their hatred of Jesus drove them to try to destroy Him. Multiple times they tried to kill Jesus. His death was on His time table. He would lay His life down. No one took it, He gave it.

 

The opposite spirit of hatred is tolerance. That can be as dangerous and damaging as hatred. In hatred, people are hated as well as what they stand for. In tolerance, people are accepted along with what they stand for. The homosexual community not only strives to get the nation to stop hating them for their behavior, but to accept them, embrace them, and to view homosexuality as a better choice. Tolerance of people becomes tolerance of behavior. Some cannot distinguish between wrong choices and the people who make those choices. They hate the sin and the sinner. The opposite spirit is to love the sinner and love the sin. Hatred and tolerance—opposites spirits that neither reflect the heart of God and the understanding of Scriptures.

 

So we live in trouble times. Hatred and tolerance—these spirits are around us in our families and the folks we work with. It’s hard expressing a dislike for wrong behavior and yet expressing a love for the person who is doing those things. If you do not like what I am doing, then you do not like me, seems to be the way things are generally received. The “God so loved the world,” is hard. It is hard for us to do the same. It is hard for us to express that to others. Our attitudes, smiles on faces, body language goes a long way in opening the door for others. Little profitable discussion will take place when the other person feels that he is hated. There is no discussing differences with Isis. They’d rather cut our heads off as to talk to us. There is no platform for national discussion with them. Others, even in this country can seem very similar in their hatred.

 

God’s people must walk with God. Loving the world, even when the world upsets you is hard. Having a spirit that avoids, rejects, shuns others will never lead to their salvation. That must be the goal. The saving power of Christ can change wrong to right. Forgiveness and second chances can open the doors to grace. Consider the beloved Paul. He first comes to us in Acts as one who hatred Christians. He was there when Stephen was killed. He traveled to other cities, chasing down Christians. Men and women alike were sought and brought back in chains. His name was feared among the faithful. He hated Christians. However, he changed. His hatred gave way to love. He learned. He repented. He saw. Can that happen today? Certainly. It would never happen if folks like Ananias did not give him a chance. People like Barnabas believed in his changes. A church like Jerusalem overcame their fear of him and accepted him. Hated can be defeated by Christ. Hate can be driven out of a person.

 

Like so many other social issues in our times, the real answer is found in Christ. Changing a state flag will not remove hate from people’s heart. Storing away old statues won’t stop some from killing who they hate. But Jesus will. Jesus has. Jesus continues to. A home where Christ reigns. A church house where Christ is honored and obeyed. A life that is saturated with Christ, is one that will not be driven by hatred.

 

Jesus is always the answer.

 

Roger