A modern move to recapture God’s heart for the poor is encouraging to say the least.
But since the “religious right” has been more famously guilty of preaching moral righteousness while leaving this undone, many have used their lack of compassion to the poor to tear down much of what the conservative right stands for. A whole generation (or two) that has grown up with a media’s general hatred towards moral standards and conservative ideas feels very comfortable embracing the modern liberal progressivism and rejecting or mocking the conservative Christian and his moral standards.
This is dangerous. While I will be the first to cry out with those who say God is with the poor, it does not for a moment negate God’s hatred of divorce, adultery, homosexuality, abortion, premarital sex, or any other biblical standard of holiness and purity.
To leave one for the other (in either sense) is out of balance and not the expression of Jesus on the earth.
Jesus kept Himself morally pure AND gave to the poor. He also taught moral purity and giving to the poor. James says this is our pure and undefiled religion: to give to orphans and widows and to keep ourselves unspotted from the world.
We should be and do both.
When we call the world to Christ, we call them to give up their possessions and their moral sin; not just in attitude or theory, but in actuality.
This means that Christian liberals and conservatives are both right and both wrong. We are neither when we have and claim both. Let both camps excommunicate us. Then we’ll know we’re like Jesus.
Peace.
Its funny that I am just one a plenty of the statistics that read blogs, appreciate them and never leave anything on my way out.
I have always been blessed by your relationship with the Lord and I think he has really grabbed you on this topic. Something that I was meditating on kind of relates in a sideways sort of manner.
In the Gospel of Mark (6:53-56), Jesus had just finished feeding the masses, sending the disciples on their way, and spending several hours into the middle of the night in prayer on a mountain. He was making his way across the sea and under less than intended circumstances, joined them, calming the sea, so that they could continue onward.
However the interesting part comes with what happens next. Jesus arrives in the morning with his disciples on the shore and in an age without media coming from all directions, to include a “wanted poster” with Jesus’ face on it, a man who Isaiah prophecied would not have any beauty that is desired by men, would be “immediately recognized.”
What about Jesus made him recognizable and what’s more, what was the crowds reaction to recognizing it. They brought their sick, lame, and poor in spirit to be healed. I don’t believe Jesus had sent several disciples swimming before him to shore to announce his arrived, or that his mighty fishing vessel was carrying a banner that said promoted his services.
And about the people who recognized them, the scriptures do not say whether or not they believed that he was the Christ, God’s own Son. They recognized his ability to meet their needs.
I propose they recognized God’s spirit on him, and heard testimonies of his power and generosity.
That leaves the question out there, do people recognize the same spirit of power on me? Do I have a testimony that goes before me of God’s power in my life, or His generosity that covers mu life and should flow through me?
What we should be known for …
Kenny