Something is very "off" in our culture. Just like the dashboard indicators in our cars, the warning lights are on and flashing regarding civility. Lack of civility often goes viral in seconds these days. Hate, judgement, condemnation and other toxic emotions are infiltrating everywhere in our culture, even the lives of believers.
How do we learn to disagree without demonizing one another? Sociologists call sharp divisions in culture "tribalism" and it is running rampant. Pastor Harris taught from what is known as "The Sermon on the Mount" today. It is truth that was powerful (and hard) then, and it is just as pertinent and powerful today. And....by the way...it is also still hard. "Whoever has ears to hear, let them hear." (Mark 4:9).
INVITATION: This week's study from the Sermon on the Mount recommends four filters to use regarding your possible responses when you disagree with someone. Do YOU have ears to hear and the willingness to apply them to your life? Sometimes Christians are the worst at demonizing others. Why are we surprised when the world acts worldly, or when non-believers don't act like believers? How can we make a shift in our lives from judgement to love? How can we begin to point others to Jesus and let go of our tendencies toward some type of behavior modification program or expectation?
MONDAY: REFLECTION. (Matthew 7:1-4): Most of us judge others on their actions while judging ourselves on our intentions (which, interestingly, seem to be mostly good)! How accurate do you think YOUR intentions are as a measure of how well you ACTUALLY love others? Are you willing to look in the mirror? What you give out comes back to you. We all want to be judged in context. Is it possible you do not understand or know the entire context in a situation? Is it possible you do not know as much as you think you know about the situation? How can you give time and margin regarding your responses to others? Are you even willing to reflect on your OWN life before you judge and respond regarding someone else's life and actions? Will you consider asking the Holy Spirit for promptings regarding this?
TUESDAY: INTROSPECTION. (Matthew 7:5): Pastor Adam said introspection is taking an honest inventory of yourself. Many people simply lack the willingness (or perhaps courage) to look inward and make an honest inventory. This is true not only in particular situations, but also regarding an entire life. Sadly, many people die never having done what the 12 step programs call a "fearless inventory" of their lives. Fear is often at the bottom of such a wall toward introspection: what might God convict me of? What if I don't like what I see? What if I have to change? What if I truly find a "log" in my own eye and quit seeing all the things wrong with everyone else? Am I a hypocrite?
What if you reframed these fears? What if you have been wanting, and actually LIKE the changes God asks you to make? What if you were to get rid of my fear and shame by being introspective and allowing the Lord to "search me and know my innermost places?" (paraphrase of Psalm 139). What if your life and relationships could get better? What if you began experiencing and knowing the "unforced rhythms of grace" in your walk with Jesus (Matthew 11:28-30). As a person is willing to be introspective and be healed from the inside out, they can then become a healer toward others. Are you willing to become a "wounded healer" in your life? In his book "The Wounded Healer," Henri Nouwen states: “The man who articulates the movements of his inner life, who can give names to his varied experiences, need no longer be a victim of himself, but is able slowly and consistently to remove the obstacles that prevent the Spirit from entering. He is able to create space for Him whose heart is greater than his, whose eyes see more than his, and whose hands can heal more than his.” What resonates for you from this verse or this quote from "The Wounded Healer?"
WEDNESDAY: SELECTION. (Matthew 7:6): This verse would have made sense because the Jews often referred to Gentiles as "dogs" or "pigs." A label. A name. An assumption. Do you ever label groups or individuals? Do you expect non-Christians to have the same values you do as a follower of Jesus? Have you been guilty of desiring behavior modification rather than the actual gospel message? Do you consider careful selection of words, the person or persons involved, and the time or place, before you speak or pass judgment and make assumptions? How can you be more receptive to people and moments this week?
THURSDAY: ELEVATION. (Matthew 5:43-48): Are you actively directing people to what REALLY matters in life? One thing that set Jesus' teaching so radically apart from that of the religious leaders is that the religious leaders emphasized what people SHOULDN'T do while Jesus stressed the positive nature of our calling. It's not enough to refrain from killing our enemies; we are called to love them and pray for them. Think about your own shortcomings and how you might counteract each one with a positive virtue. Consider making a chart with a "Vice" and a "Virtue" column and taking it to prayer. For example, instead of being critical, learn to encourage; instead of hoarding wealth, learn to be generous, etc. Are you willing to ask God to help you go beyond merely desiring change to being transformed from the inside out into his likeness? If you are honest, how do you feel about God being good to believers AND non-believers?
FRIDAY: Matthew 14:16: We are not called to be the "moral police" of our society. We are to be a light in our society and point people to Christ. How might that look in your life today, and this week? Are you willing to not settle for making a point about something, but instead to make a DIFFERENCE?
SATURDAY: John 3:16-17: Today read these well known verses slowly.....perhaps even out loud. What word or phrase seems to stand out to you today? Consider these verses as God's "manna from heaven" just for you today and take it into your day. Walk and talk with Jesus about it. How does this affect your day and your interactions with others?