Can we beg Christian America to put away the soapbox and
trade it for a more reasonable option?
In the book of Joshua, a strong leader was nearing his
death. Joshua was a military commander for Moses, widely known as one of the
greatest and most influential leaders of the Old Testament. It could be argued
Joshua was greater than his predecessor, having taken the Israelites into the
Promised Land. The land was divided based upon the 12 tribes of Israel and the
heritage of the people determined the household and place of their future.
In the book which bears his name, Joshua issues a challenge
on the doorstep of his death:
I gave you land you had not worked on, and
I gave you towns you did not build—the towns where you are now living. I gave
you vineyards and olive groves for food, though you did not plant them. So fear
the Lord and serve him wholeheartedly. Put away forever the idols your
ancestors worshiped when they lived beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt.
Serve the Lord alone. But if you refuse to serve the Lord, then choose today
whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the
Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live?
But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord. (Joshua 24:13-15)
The people
respond with a resounding agreement. But Joshua is wise, and he challenges the
people to hold to their responsibilities despite
their words. He then sends them, in verse 28 of the chapter, “away to their own
homelands.”
It has
become both common and popular to defend Jesus and the Bible with our words.
But those words both inspire and require action to have a solid foundation.
What Joshua understood is the Israelites history and propensity to give lip
service to God but just as easy be tempted to sway from their dedication to
serve other interests and other gods. It would happen again.
Our
culture has developed a platform for giving “word-service” to our allegiance.
Social media drives this train. In response to hot-button issues, we
sensationalize the moment in our defense of something we many times are not
living out in our own lives.
If you
carry heartbreak that prayer is removed from schools, take an action step to
teach your children how to boldly and respectfully pray in front of their
classmates at the lunch table. Combat hatred and intolerance by loving others
like Jesus instructed, rather than spewing words through blogs and comments on
social media. Rather than condemn those which are different from you, take the
approach of the friend of sinners and open a conversation about faith around a
table. That is the proper platform. Take action.
This
action begins at home. Before carrying the banner of the controversy with your
words, be sure your actions match your attitude. Pardon the phrase, but it’s
very hypocritical of followers of Christ to “stand with” the popular celebrity
of the moment and then stay in bed on Saturday or Sunday and refuse to worship with
a group of believers in a church setting because we can’t fix our priorities.
It’s easy
to talk a good game. Joshua sent them to their homes to lead one.
And
leadership of your home is hard, but that is what ultimately makes the lasting
difference.
I appreciate
well the defense of the faith. Just make sure when you draw your weapon, you
are standing on the proper foundation. Clear your table, and you’ll find a
solid place to start.
Your
house.
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I love you all, and these are my thoughts.
Pastor K
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