When 'Clay-pots' offend

To offend – or not to offend isn’t really the question. It is impossible not to offend as we live in a diverse and often perverse society. Christmas offends some and others are upset by the Islamic Ramadan or Hindu festivals. Atheists get agitated by' God speak' and evolutionists become frantic when a person believes the Bible’s account of Creation. There are those who cannot abide people from other nations and find it impossible to be courteous to them.

From the Christian perspective in trying not to offend those who disagree with us is actually offensive. We denigrate our faith and thereby our Lord. The issue isn’t about what is in the Christian faith that riles others, but our response when people react. It has been apparent over the Christmas season that some, wanting to be nice, sold out their faith or heritage. Appeasement never solves the problem, it simply pushes it into another issue when the offended person is upset again.

Jesus on earth was the great offender! He upset people’s belief system, elitism, taboos regarding eating with the socially unaccepted. (Check Him out with the Tax collector, Matthew – The Samaritan woman and others such as Luke 7:36-50 – Roman soldiers Etc). Jesus unmasked hypocrisy with strong words (Matthew 23), yet at the same time with grace. The Lord felt sorrow, not glee for those whom He had to rebuke. His example is a tough one to follow, yet by His grace and presence, that is what we must do.

The great offence Jesus caused was not what He said, but what happened to Him! It causes people to be upset ever today because it speaks against their ‘goodness.’ It challenges their religious views of god, salvation and worship. What happened to Jesus? He was crucified! Politics and hatred were the human factors for this event. However, God used it to make His Son the Saviour of all who put their trust in Him. This faith isn’t in a dead corpse but in the risen Lord. Jesus took our deserved judgement so that He might bestow upon us undeserved righteousness and eternal life. Read about it in the New Testament.

The cross offends. When you read the history of the Church the message of the crucified and risen Lord stirs up self-righteous indignation. This is still happening even though Christians return good for evil, feed the hungry and care for the sick. How does the Lord want us to respond? To pray for those who are offended and become aggressive. To turn the other cheek (if that is hit what then?) But not back away and thus deny the Lord. To be gracious in response and caring by helping those who oppose the cross is not weakness but Christlikeness. Jesus did tell His followers that they would be similar to sheep amongst the wolves. The fact was the wolves would be afraid of the sheep (and their message).

We offend without even saying a word. 2 Corinthians 2:14-17 says Christians are similar to clay pots filled with a precious perfume. It seeps out. That fragrance is the saving, transforming, forgiving, rejoicing and eternal presence of Christ. When we move amongst people they will be affected by this spiritual aroma. Some will appreciate it. Some will wonder what it is. Others will be offended and want to get rid of it. Over the years many, many, many ‘clay-pot disciples’ have paid a high price for simply being fragranced by Christ and His word.

Therefore, if you are a Christian don’t be surprised that you are offensive to some one. However, let it draw you closer to Christ and His word so that His grace in you might be the way you respond.

Ray Hawkins 28/12/2015.

Wolves versus the Good Shepherd

Animals are used to depict certain aspects of human behaviour or characteristics. Such metaphors are easily understood. Psalm 22 is a brilliant illustration of this. It is a prophetic insight written a thousand years before the crucifixion of Christ. The psalmist used such animals as, bulls, lion, dogs and wild oxen. You can see their human counterparts around the cross in the Gospels.

Jesus used animal terms on a number of occasions. Two of them I want to emphasise , they are Wolves and Sheep. We understand that because Jesus is the Good Shepherd the sheep are His people. Matthew 7:15 ‘Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.’ Jesus, in His great message about the events preceding His return, highlighted the fact of false prophets proliferating. Matthew 24:24.

It seems to me that we are living in their ‘breeding and marauding season.’ The Church is being mauled by the Devil’s brood. Sadly, the non-churched community think these ‘wolves in sheep’s clothing’ are part of the ‘sheep’ community. This results in people cursing the Church and rejecting Christ because of the evil actions of the false prophets. There are seven species of wolves and they roam in specific areas. There’s the gray wolf and the artic, the red wolf and Himalayan, an India one plus an Ethiopian and Eastern breed. Within our Church and Society scene it is a good reminder to be on ‘red alert’ for their human counterparts.

Within the pages of the Bible the term wolves is applied to men in official positions (Ezekiel 22:27) intent on dishonest gain. Zephaniah 3:3 applies it to Judges who use their position for personal gain and revenge. It is an amazing fact that so many of the wolves in religious sheep covering strut the world’s stage. Television and the internet make them sound so plausible and personable as they promise much whilst stripping your soul and bank balance.

In an article on wolves was the following quote: ‘The majority of victims of predatory wolf attacks are children under age of 18 and, in the rare cases where adults are killed, the victims are almost always women.’ As I read the New Testament I find something very similar. The writers of the New Testament letters give strong warnings about this danger. Paul warned the Ephesian Elders that such predatory wolves were prowling even as he was talking. His warning was their call to be on guard and not be a mere hireling who runs away from protecting the flock. (John 10:12). I’m left with the impression that the majority of these mangy mongrels are males (I wouldn’t call them men).

How is this being played out today? Child abuse in Church run institutions and parish churches are under the spotlight. The predators in cleric garb have ripped out the faith and innocence of children many of whom are wrecks of what they were meant to be. Those who knew and did nothing are mere hirelings, not shepherds.  Christ Jesus speaks of a greater judgement which will fall upon such wolves (and I think it will fall on those who neglected their shepherd’s calling). I believe Christ holds such victims in a special section of His heart and affections. May they discover it, though they have to struggle through a lot of emotional and spiritual rubble!

What then is our best defence in dealing with these spiritual and moral predators? How are we able to develop an inner alarm system which gives out warning vibrations? Paul’s words to the Elders in Acts 20:32 is a good commencement place. ‘I commend you to God and to the message of His grace, a message that is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all who are sanctified.’ His words to Timothy also undergird the importance of knowing Biblical teaching. ‘Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching, continue in these things, for in doing this you will save both yourself and your hearers.’ (1 Timothy 24:16)

The strange thing about Christ Jesus as the Shepherd is His command to His sheep. ‘I am sending you out like sheep into the midst of wolves; so be as wise as serpents and innocent as doves. Beware of them…’ Matthew 10:16-42. We are not to be cowered by the wolves but to take the message of transforming grace to the society in which they prowl. Jesus says it is nerve-wracking and dangerous but that the wolves are actually afraid of sheep with a message of the cross. He also promised personal recognition and reward for His people rising up to the challenge.

Being at peace with the un-peaceable

our time in a village in Zambia. A relationship
with the Pastor and family which blessed us

Relationships are either a blessing or a curse. They will make or break one’s heart. The Bible is a relationship manual as well as many other things. It tells you about having a relationship with God (previous blog plus one) and being happy in yourself (previous blog). It also give good advice on how to relate to those I’ll call ‘the un-peaceable!’

Unless you are a hermit (even then you have to live with yourself) you will know various depths of relationships. We cannot escape from relationships with family, friends, workmates and acquaintances. Each one is detailed within Scripture. The one(s) I’m writing about deal more with friends and acquaintances. Family peace is for another blog.

We all have our histories, hurts and habits and unless we enjoy being at peace with God and ourselves they will infect our relationships. Herein is our difficulty. We might be at peace yet we will be mixing and mingling with many who are not. The results of these relationships will vary from the thankless to the traumatic, from frustration to failure and from exploited to exhilarating. Being a Christian also opens us up to being nice to the nasty which, without wisdom, can scar our own spiritual outlook.

Jesus took relationships seriously, easily seen as you read the Gospels. His manner with people sets us some guidelines which will safeguard our heart and faith. Jesus talked about wolves in sheep clothing who seek an intimacy for ulterior motives. It results in the sheep being devoured (Matthew 7:15). But then it seems strange to read in Matthew 10:16 that Jesus said to His disciples: “See, I’m sending you out like sheep into the midst of wolves.” In effect Jesus was putting the ‘sheep’ in charge of the relationship. The aim, to convert wolves into sheep. But He added, be wise as serpents, harmless as doves and ‘beware of them’ (the wolves). Whilst the Bible highlights religious wolves there are many other wild dogs such as sexual and financial predators.

Notice, however, how Jesus treated His relationship with Judas. The betrayer was treated with genuine affection and was warned about what he was going to do. The same applied to Peter who also betrayed his Lord. What should they teach us when someone lets us down or breaks a trust? The prayer of Jesus on the cross covered them both. We know Peter repented with a broken heart. Judas? We can forgive. We can offer new beginnings. We will need to still be alert until they prove themselves to be trustworthy once again.

Romans 12:18: If it is possible, so far as it depends upon you, live peaceably with all.’ Did you notice the ‘rider’? What should you do when you do your best, pray a lot, be gracious only to be confronted by a ‘un-peaceable’ person? Steer clear. Keep out of the person’s way. Move under his/her ‘radar. Don’t stop praying for him/her but avoidance is wisdom as well as good for your spiritual sanity.

1 Corinthians 15:33: ‘Do not be deceived: Bad company ruins good morals.’ This may your story or mine. It isn’t the end, fortunately, for the Lord has the power to deliver and forgive. Many though take this warning lightly regarding relationships and end up in a moral, mental and miserable mess. Again, our responsibility is to share the knowledge of God’s grace with such ‘bad company.’ We are told to do it with a sober and right mind being right with God. That will have an effect upon the ‘bad company’ one way or another.

1 John 1:7 ‘if we walk in the light as he himself (Jesus) is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.’ Here is the secret, if one was needed, to being at peace with others. It comes from an ongoing relationship with Jesus which empowers us to be merciful, understanding, gracious and forbearing with one another. It is the foundation for accepting cultural diversity sanctified by commitment to Christ Jesus, Ephesians 2:13-21.

I’m always saddened when I read of Christians being ‘at war’ with one another, split apart or ‘rock-throwers.’ Being ‘un-peaceable’ is actually a testimony to one or both not walking in the fellowship of light with Jesus as their Lord. The One we call the Prince of Peace is unable to bless such individuals, groups or congregations. All that can change the moment any of us who are playing in the ‘fields of moral or spiritual greyness or blackness.’ It happens when we lift up our ‘eyes with faith and sincerity’ to Jesus and ask for mercy. The proof our genuineness will be seen in in how we then related to those with whom and to whom we have been ‘un-peaceable!’

 

©Ray Hawkins March 23 2015.

Next week: The Paradox of Prayer.