Based on the presuppositions of beliefs and attitudes, how easy it is for man to say what he is against. This hostility of condemnation demonstrates a steadfast adherence to absolute truth, which is not to be diminished. However, this hostility is just that, hostility.
J.R. Kerr says it this way, "The Church is unfortunately known by what it stands against."
Put this way, someone who is not a part of the Church, when asked, will likely say:
"The Church is against homosexuality, premarital sex, the legalization of substances, embryonic stem cell research...."
Sadly, there will likely be no mention of what the Church is for.
To this statement, it is retorted, the Church is for truth. Undoubtedly, it is. However, truth is not a statement of what is the opposite of truth. Truth is a statement of truth.
Christ said, "I am the way the truth and the life." He did not say, "I am against the adulterous, legalistic, sacrificial practices of the pharisees." Although He was against such things and even said such things, He made known what He was for and by principle was against those things that contradicted what He was for. He came into the world, not to condemn it, but to save it.
Therefore, the Church must be known by what it is for and by principle what it is against, that is, sin, will be condemned by default as it stands for what it is for.
"Love one other: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."
The Church stands for Jesus Christ, Him crucified, died, resurrected and reigning. It stands for love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control, forgiveness, mercy, equality, righteousness, grace and justice. It stands for the hope of redemption through Him and the glorious restoration of the world and its inhabitants.
The Gospel of Jesus Christ is only hostile to sin and evilness because it first stands for the good, loving, glorious, holy, magnificent, power of God.
What if all people knew Christians by what they stood for?
"So that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."
No comments:
Post a Comment