Shame? What Shame?

 

The Church, the real Church, the true Church, only has One refuge, One place of safety, One place of security. It isn’t colored red or blue, nor is its banner a $.

 

To be persecuted or seduced? There are benefits in persecution; for one thing it is often open and obvious – at least to those who can see. When we are persecuted we must make a decision, even if that decision is to do nothing, to go with the flow; acquiescence is a choice. Persecution can separate the wheat from the chaff. Persecution is a venue for witness and for sharing in the sufferings of Christ. Persecution helps us get real.

 

Seduction? Now seduction is dangerous because it looks and feels so good, so religious, so “Christian”. Seduction appeals to our self-interest, our need for security, our desire to be thought special. Seduction imprisons us within our comfort zones, appeals to our tribal identities, and focuses our anger, hatred, and vitriol on others. Seduction gives us someone to blame.

 

Can there be any seduction worse for the professing Christian than syncretistic seduction? Blending the worship of money, the flag, and the Cross? It can feel so good. It can feel so righteous and moral and upstanding.

 

Can we not read the Prophets? Can we not read Revelation Chapter 17? Judgment awaits those who prostitute the people of God and His Word. When the rulers of the earth are done having their way with whores (a Biblical image!) they throw them out on the street at best, or as Revelation 17:16 reads, “…make her desolate and naked, and will eat up her flesh and burn her up with fire.”

 

Indeed, there is only One place of safety for the follower of Jesus Christ – and that is Jesus Christ…hopefully in community with the Body of Christ. Christ is the only place we have for a credible witness to a broken world.

 

We are called to wear the white linen of the righteousness of Jesus Christ, not to wear red or blue or the color of money.

 

Shame on those who pervert the Gospel and place it in the service of political and economic power and seduce God’s People – leading them into servitude. We are to be in a monogamous relationship with Jesus Christ, and with Him alone (2 Corinthians 11:1 – 3).

 

Shame on those “Christian” leaders who attack one political party, and vilify it, on behalf of that party’s opposition, and cloak the attack in the name of Christ.

 

Shame? It seems we have no shame…whatever happened to Jesus? Jesus? We have sold Him…can’t you hear the thirty pieces of silver jingling in our coffers?