A Collective Insanity?

Early this morning, as I was writing a piece for Mind On Fire, I decided to simply post James 1:19, 20 on Kaleidoscope:

“…But everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger; for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God.”

This was all I really wanted to say this morning…but then life intruded – more specifically the insanity surrounding us intruded.

As the pandemic continues, as civil unrest continues, as the concerted effort to erase the image of God continues, it seems as if what little equilibrium we once had is being toppled like so many statues. Is this a result of fatigue? Uncertainty? Prolonged stress? Fear? All of the foregoing and more?

I have a dear pastor friend who has been accused by elements of his leadership of leading out of fear because he has adhered to our governor’s executive orders and the guidance of public health officials. 

An acquaintance of ours told us that his very large church was not going to succumb to fear and would continue church pretty much as usual.

The vitriol, bad as it was prior to the pandemic, seems to be worse. This morning someone forwarded me an article from a “Christian leader” of a “Christian” organization attacking our governor with sarcasm and disrespect – where is Christ in this? Whether I agree with government officials or not, I am to respect them – especially as a follower of Jesus Christ.

There is a place for fear in godly leadership; the fear of the Lord and the fear of leading out of a rebellious spirit and heart. As the centurion of the Gospels teaches us, Jesus was “also a man under authority”. As Christ is subject to the Father, so we are to be subject to Christ and His Word, and His Word is clear about being in subjection to civil authority – this subjection is not the exception, it is the rule.

My gracious, the white church had no problem being subject to civil authority when there was segregation, when there was Jim Crow – where was our outrage then? Hypocrites we have been, self-centered hypocrites we are today.

So much of what I see within the professing church is anarchy - and that is insanity because it is self-destructive. Anarchy and lawlessness comes from the enemy – dress it up as we might, it is still from the enemy.

I guess I’ll close with another quote from James (3:13 – 18):

“Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth. This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.”