Some years ago I was
attending a men’s fellowship at a church member’s home. We were gathered to watch a football game – probably
a Superbowl. I must admit that I could
not be convicted if charged with being a football fanatic, but I do enjoy
watching it on occasion. Well, as the
night progressed, I brought up a spiritual subject – something about Jesus –
and was told “Look – we didn’t come here to talk about Jesus- we came here to
watch football!” Now the pretext of our fellowship
was the Superbowl – but the context of our being together was our kinship
through the Spirit of God made possible through the death, burial, and
resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Fast forward to a recent
gathering. I mentioned that we normally
add spiritual context to the meeting as was told that we didn’t need to – we could
just enjoy our time together. What I
want to address today is the “thread” between those two events – there have
been many others – but these are sufficient for my point.
A problem – a temptation – is
thinking that our spiritual nature and natural lives are separable. That there
are times when it just isn’t necessary or appropriate to mix them. During Jesus ministry – He never stopped
being who He was so as not to offend someone or to avoid being a “wet blanket”
at a gathering. It would be one thing to
stand on a chair at a party where there were non-Christians and proclaim the
Gospel – unless God told you to. It is
quite another to be in the company of other Believers and be told that discussion
of spiritual matters is not necessary or wanted.
Why does that happen? I think
because we have put our faith in a box – made it personal – and applicable in appropriate
places – like Church – or perhaps at the dining room table before you eat. Where we are sitting – at home or in a
restaurant – is not a consideration as to whether we will give thanks for the
food – and the money we used to pay for the meal.
So here is the thing – I have
never been at odds over this issue with people who are passionate about their
faith – only those who seem to be dispassionate. If we really do love God more (Matthew 22:37-39) then we would love
the opportunity to talk about Him – and if we don’t – really – well, we don’t. After Peter had denied Jesus before His crucifixion,
Jesus asked Peter three times if Peter loved Jesus.
(John
21:15-17) “When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter,
"Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?"
"Yes, LORD," he said, "you know that I love you." Jesus
said, "Feed my lambs." Again Jesus said, "Simon son of John, do
you love me?" He answered, "Yes, LORD, you know that I love
you." Jesus said, "Take care of my sheep." The third time he
said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" Peter was hurt because
Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?" He said,
"LORD, you know all things; you know that I love you." Jesus said,
"Feed my sheep.””
There is a verse in a song that
goes “I’ll shout it from the mountain tops, I want the world to know – the Lord
of love has come to me – I want to pass it on.”
Do you want the world to know? Is your faith personal and private? Do you feel uncomfortable when people talk
about spiritual things in a social setting.
You spend two maybe three hours in a church building each week – the rest
of the time you are out amongst people of the world. If you don’t want to be
your “new self” but prefer to hide your light under a bushel basket – you need
more oil for your lamp my friend.
A final thought. We are to speak the Truth in love. Not be like a bull in a china closet with our
faith. And what does love look like?
(1
Corinthians 13) “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does
not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not
self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does
not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always
trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.” CHARLEY
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