Soldiers for Christ 2 Timothy 2:1-4
Today's passage is from Paul's letter to Timothy. The apostle encourages the young man--and, by extension, every believer--to face difficulty as a good soldier. The military term "soldier" implies that we are in a battle. And in fact, the combat started before Adam and Eve's lifetime.
We see the first evidence when almighty God, who had created all the celestial beings, nevertheless allowed Satan and other angels (thereafter known as "demons") to rebel against Him. They established their own kingdom and waged war with the Lord.
Later we see this strife extend to all humankind. In the Garden of Eden, Satan tempted Eve to violate God's command by eating forbidden fruit. Her disobedience corrupted mankind's innocence, and ever since, all human beings have been born with a nature bent away from the Lord--and with a profound need for a Savior.
Tempted by Satan in the wilderness, Jesus modeled how to be victorious in spiritual conflict: by means of Scripture. God's Word gives us everything we need to win--from offensive and defensive weapons (Eph. 6:10-17) to the proper perspective on our adversaries' real identity: "Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the . . . spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places" (v. 12).
When we see ungodliness in our society, the Enemy may at times seem to be winning. Yet we who are saved have assurance that we belong to Him who is greater--and who will have the final victory (1 John 4:4; John 16:33). View daily battles biblically and look to God, who is mightier than all evil.
Position and Condition
�If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.� (Colossians 3:1)
Christians have a glorious position before God. As our text indicates, God has in effect already �raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus� (Ephesians 2:6). Yet, our actual spiritual condition here on Earth often seems to belie our exalted position in heaven, so we repeatedly need to be exhorted not only to believe the truth but also to live the truth. Theoretically, we are dead to the world, and our �life is hid with Christ in God,� yet we must continually be exhorted to �mortify [that is, put to death] therefore your members which are upon the earth� (Colossians 3:3, 5). We �have put on the new man� but nevertheless must repeatedly be �renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him� (v. 10).
While in doctrine we are �complete in him,� in practice we must �grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ� (2 Peter 3:18). �With the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation,� yet each believer is commanded to �follow after righteousness� and to �work out your own salvation� (Romans 10:10; 1 Timothy 6:11; Philippians 2:12). We are �all the children of light� (1 Thessalonians 5:5), and we are to �walk as children of light� (Ephesians 5:8). Paul prays that �Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith� (3:17), yet already we have �Christ in you, the hope of glory� (Colossians 1:27).
These truths are not contradictions, of course, but exhortations. �If� (and the Greek word actually means �since�) we are �risen with Christ,� then by all means we ought to live as those that are alive unto God! HMM
Today's passage is from Paul's letter to Timothy. The apostle encourages the young man--and, by extension, every believer--to face difficulty as a good soldier. The military term "soldier" implies that we are in a battle. And in fact, the combat started before Adam and Eve's lifetime.
We see the first evidence when almighty God, who had created all the celestial beings, nevertheless allowed Satan and other angels (thereafter known as "demons") to rebel against Him. They established their own kingdom and waged war with the Lord.
Later we see this strife extend to all humankind. In the Garden of Eden, Satan tempted Eve to violate God's command by eating forbidden fruit. Her disobedience corrupted mankind's innocence, and ever since, all human beings have been born with a nature bent away from the Lord--and with a profound need for a Savior.
Tempted by Satan in the wilderness, Jesus modeled how to be victorious in spiritual conflict: by means of Scripture. God's Word gives us everything we need to win--from offensive and defensive weapons (Eph. 6:10-17) to the proper perspective on our adversaries' real identity: "Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the . . . spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places" (v. 12).
When we see ungodliness in our society, the Enemy may at times seem to be winning. Yet we who are saved have assurance that we belong to Him who is greater--and who will have the final victory (1 John 4:4; John 16:33). View daily battles biblically and look to God, who is mightier than all evil.
| A Non-Citizen's Role in Society �Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God.� (Ephesians 2:19) |
�If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.� (Colossians 3:1)
Handling Difficult Circumstances Philippians 3:8-11
The apostle Paul understood how to handle tough circumstances. Even while he was confined in a prison cell, he kept his eyes on Christ and trusted firmly in the Savior. Therefore, despite being in chains, he was able to celebrate the Lord�s work in his life. In fact, the epistle he wrote from jail to the Philippians was filled with rejoicing (1:18; 2:18; 3:1).
Focusing on Christ is neither a natural reaction nor an easy one. Our instinct is to dwell on the situation at hand, searching for solutions or stewing over the pain and difficulty. As a result, troubles look scary and overwhelm us with a sense of defeat.
However, fear and defeat cannot live long in a heart that trusts the Lord. I�m not saying you�ll forget what you�re going through, but you can choose to dwell on His provision and care instead. He is the Deliverer (2 Cor. 1:10). He is the Healer (Deut. 32:39). He is the Guide (Prov. 3:6). The believer who lays claim to divine promises discovers that God pushes back negative emotions. In their place, hope, confidence, and contentment take up residence (Phil. 4:11). You aren�t going to be happy about a difficult situation, but you can be satisfied that God is in control and up to something good in the midst of trouble.
The Lord�s principles and promises don�t change, no matter how severe or painful the situation is. Focus on Christ instead of the circumstances--God will comfort your heart and bring you safely through the trial. Then you can answer Paul�s call to �rejoice in the Lord always� (Phil. 4:4).
Christians and the World
�I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word.� (John 17:6)
In the wonderful intercessory prayer of Christ for His disciples just before His death, there are several important references dealing with the relation of the Christian believer to the world around him. In the first place, according to our text, they have been called out of the world and thus are not really a part of its system any more once they belong to Christ.
Yet, they necessarily must still live in the world. �These are in the world. . . . I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil� (vv. 11, 15). They are not of the world, however, for they have been separated from the world and unto Christ, whom the world continues to crucify daily. �I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world� (v. 14). Like Christ, they are bound to be hated by the world.
Nevertheless, Christ has sent them into the world as His witnesses. �As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world . . . that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. . . . I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me� (vv. 18, 21, 23).
And the most wonderful thing about all these relationships to the world we live in is that God planned them even before He created the world! �Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world� (v. 24). HMM
Someone to Show Them the Way - By Greg Laurie - www.harvest.org
The New Birth and BaptismThe apostle Paul understood how to handle tough circumstances. Even while he was confined in a prison cell, he kept his eyes on Christ and trusted firmly in the Savior. Therefore, despite being in chains, he was able to celebrate the Lord�s work in his life. In fact, the epistle he wrote from jail to the Philippians was filled with rejoicing (1:18; 2:18; 3:1).
Focusing on Christ is neither a natural reaction nor an easy one. Our instinct is to dwell on the situation at hand, searching for solutions or stewing over the pain and difficulty. As a result, troubles look scary and overwhelm us with a sense of defeat.
However, fear and defeat cannot live long in a heart that trusts the Lord. I�m not saying you�ll forget what you�re going through, but you can choose to dwell on His provision and care instead. He is the Deliverer (2 Cor. 1:10). He is the Healer (Deut. 32:39). He is the Guide (Prov. 3:6). The believer who lays claim to divine promises discovers that God pushes back negative emotions. In their place, hope, confidence, and contentment take up residence (Phil. 4:11). You aren�t going to be happy about a difficult situation, but you can be satisfied that God is in control and up to something good in the midst of trouble.
The Lord�s principles and promises don�t change, no matter how severe or painful the situation is. Focus on Christ instead of the circumstances--God will comfort your heart and bring you safely through the trial. Then you can answer Paul�s call to �rejoice in the Lord always� (Phil. 4:4).
Christians and the World
�I have manifested thy name unto the men which thou gavest me out of the world: thine they were, and thou gavest them me; and they have kept thy word.� (John 17:6)
Someone to Show Them the Way - By Greg Laurie - www.harvest.org
"But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them?" -Romans 10:14
In Acts 8, we find the story of a foreign dignitary from Ethiopia. As the queen's treasurer, he was a powerful man who would have traveled with an entourage. He went to Jerusalem in search of God, but found dead, lifeless religion instead. However, he obtained a scroll of Isaiah while he was there. And as it happened, he was traveling through the desert, reading aloud about the suffering of the Messiah, when God led Philip to go to him and share the gospel.
Philip saw him traveling along, reading from Isaiah's scroll. So Philip walked up to him and said, "Do you understand what you are reading?" (verse 30). The man said, "How can I, unless someone instructs me?" (verse 31). Philip climbed up into the chariot, took the scroll, told him what it meant, and pointed him to Jesus. And before the day was over, that man had become a believer and left with joy in his heart and a spring in his step. This is what people are still looking for today: someone to show them the way.
There is one thing that Christians and non-Christians have in common: both are very uptight about evangelism. Christians are uptight about evangelizing, and non-Christians are uptight about being evangelized. But I think some of us give up way too easily. When we ask someone if anyone has ever told them about Jesus, or if we invite someone to church and they say no, we give up too easily. Instead, try asking, "Well, why do you say that? Did you have a bad experience in church?"
God has primarily chosen to reach people through people. So engage them, and most importantly, keep praying for them. Give it a try, and you will discover what a joy it is to tell others about Jesus.
Jesus commissioned His followers to go and make disciples, "baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit" (Matt. 28:19). As the early church spread the gospel message, baptism would follow a new believer's response of faith. It publicly signified that the individual was now a follower of Jesus
Metaphors often communicate on a level that words cannot. Baptism is a powerful picture of our salvation experience. Through this act, we proclaim the good news that Jesus died for our sins, was buried, and rose again--and testify that we've welcomed His transforming power into our life.
The Greek word for "baptize" in Scripture is the same term used to describe a cloth dipped in dye--it refers to total change. So by being plunged into the water, we declare that we're choosing to die to our old way of life and are uniting with Christ. Our sin is buried with Him, and its power is conquered through His atoning death on the cross (Rom. 6:14). When we're raised up out of the water, we affirm His resurrection. Baptism is a symbolic way of expressing that just as the Lord conquered death and rose again, we are spiritually resurrected from death into new life. We are "born again" and irrevocably transformed through the power of His Holy Spirit.
In the Bible, the word "believe" isn't a conceptual word describing intellectual agreement alone. It is a word of action. Our belief should never be hidden like a light placed under a bowl (Luke 11:33)--when unbelieving family and friends look at our lives, they need to see the gospel in action.
Church Leadership
�The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed.� (1 Peter 5:1)
�The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed.� (1 Peter 5:1)
The leaders of the early churches were critical not only to the ministry of each church but also to its survival. Correspondingly, numerous New Testament passages deal with their qualifications and function. In our text, Peter exhorts these men to proper leadership through service and informs them of a reward waiting for them.
First, we notice that Peter addresses a group of elders, not a single individual in sole authority. No example is given in the New Testament of any church that has grown past infancy that has not incorporated the wisdom of a group of spiritually mature men into its leadership, although there may need to be one who presides among this group.
The primary function of such godly leaders is to �feed the flock of God which is among you, taking the oversight thereof� (v. 2). Note especially that the flock they shepherd is God�s flock among them, not their own flock. A true flock leader takes strong and careful �oversight� but does not usurp ownership.
These leaders are to serve �willingly,� not under �constraint.� Their motive should be �of a ready mind� and �not for filthy lucre,� or financial gain (v. 2). Moreover, these leaders must not be �lords over God�s heritage, but being ensamples to the flock� (v. 3). They should lead by serving, thereby establishing a mindset of service in the rest.
Finally, Peter reminds the leaders that faithful, sacrificial service will be rewarded, for �when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away� (v. 4). May God continue to grant willing, faithful, sacrificial servants to lead each local flock. JDM
A Walk of Faith - By Greg Laurie -
"Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." -Romans 5:1
The Bible tells the story of a man who had everything this world says one should have to feel happy and fulfilled: power, wealth, influence, and fame. But along with that came an emptiness that sent him on a search for God. As secretary of the treasury for a powerful nation, he was second only to the queen. But there was a hole in his heart, so it led him on a search to the spiritual capital of the world, Jerusalem. He did not find what he was looking for, but as he was returning home, he unexpectedly found the answer to his questions. He had an appointment with God that resulted in his conversion and complete transformation.
His story shows what happens when a person becomes a Christian. When someone truly believes in Jesus Christ, his or her life changes dramatically. This man went from emptiness and misery to overflowing joy. His story ends with the statement, "He went on his way rejoicing" (Acts 8:39). It is no exaggeration when the Bible says that we pass from darkness to light, from the power of Satan to the power of God, when we believe in Jesus Christ. It is describing what takes place in our lives.
But we also need to recognize that not every case is identical. There are different types of people who come to faith in different ways. Some have a tremendous emotional response, while others have no emotional experience at all.
An emotional experience has little to do with the reality of a person's conversion. When I prayed and asked Christ to come into my life, I felt nothing. And because of this, I falsely concluded that God had rejected me. Thankfully, I discovered later that Christianity is a walk of faith and not of feeling.
The Rewards of Patience
The Scriptures contain many stories of people who waited years or even decades before the Lord's promises came to pass. What modern believers can learn from the patience of biblical saints like Abraham, Joseph, David, and Paul is that waiting upon the Lord has eternal rewards.
Today let's look at Israel's most memorable monarch. David was the chosen heir to Israel's throne, but he spent years dodging King Saul's wrathful pursuit. Despite having two different opportunities for vengeance, David resisted the temptation and spared Saul's life. He chose to adhere to God's timetable for his coronation instead of dishonoring the Lord by killing the divinely anointed king. David's psalms reveal his intimate awareness of Yahweh's work in his life. The shepherd king not only achieved his objective through patience; he also observed that God's way was always best.
David left behind an incredible testimony of God's faithfulness for each of us to read and meditate upon. He was committed to waiting upon the Lord, and as a result, he had the Father's approval and blessing. We cannot underestimate the reward of living in divine favor. That isn't a special state reserved for "giants of the faith" like David. All who obediently endure until the Lord acts on their behalf abide in His favor.
David didn't receive his blessings because he was special; he was honored among men because he honored the Lord above all. And since he trusted in God's faithfulness, he endured hardship with patience. We, too, can expect to be blessed when we wait upon the Lord.
I Charge You
�Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned.� (1 Timothy 1:5)
�Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned.� (1 Timothy 1:5)
The Greek noun parangelia and its corresponding verb paranello appear six times in the book of 1 Timothy, translated as either �charge� or �commandment.� Paul was quite concerned for his young disciple Timothy and went to great effort to remind him of the truth and charge him to keep it and encourage its keeping in the lives of those in his care. Let us briefly look at these charges.
First, Paul wanted to charge Timothy to remain strong in his personal faith. �This charge I commit unto thee . . . that thou . . . mightest war a good warfare; Holding faith, and a good conscience� (1:18-19). �I give thee charge in the sight of God . . . . That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ� (6:13-14).
In a similar vein, Paul knew the dangers of false doctrine. �I besought thee . . . that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine� (1:3). Following a discussion of specific false teachings (4:1-10) and their refutations, Paul concludes, �These things command and teach� (4:11).
Even those who nominally adhere to proper teaching need direction. �Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God� (6:17).
Living up to these charges (commandments) brings real benefit in this life as well as in eternity, as we see in our text a pure heart full of agape love, a conscience unfettered by sin and false doctrine, and a strong faith not weakened by hypocrisy. If we would be disciples, we should mind the charges given to Timothy. JDM
How to Hold On
Job was a man who certainly knew trouble and temptation, and yet he boldly claimed, "Though He slay me, I will hope in Him" (Job 13:15). That is commitment. Job had lost his children, his fortune, and his health, but he refused to abandon faith in God. The stricken man was determined to hold on because he trusted the Lord to do right.
Unwavering commitment to trust the Lord in all situations is a cornerstone of unshakable faith. From the vantage point of that foundation, we can focus our eyes upon God alone. It is easy to be distracted by circumstances and allow them to dictate our emotions. But if that's the case, then when life is good, we're happy; when times are tough, we're frustrated; and when hardship pours in, we're downright miserable and looking for escape.
Unlike Job, we are fortunate to have Scripture, which reveals God's nature and promises. And it is a wise believer who claims those promises when enduring hardship. For His Word tells us that our Father is always good, always just, always faithful, and always trustworthy. When we take our eyes off the whirl of day-to-day activity and concentrate on honoring Him and following in His way, we find a consistent peace that carries us through both plenty and poverty.
In order to hold on to God through any trial or temptation, commit to trust and follow Him all of your days. Lay claim to His promises: The unchanging Lord and Savior (Heb. 13:8) is committed to caring for you in all circumstances (1 Peter 5:7) and will never leave or forsake you (Heb. 13:5).
Now and Then
�For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.� (1 Corinthians 13:12)
�For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.� (1 Corinthians 13:12)
There is a great contrast between now and then. We see only dimly now, but at least we see! We only know partially, but we do know! What we shall see and know in the future is already ours, but only in hope and promise. �For what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?� (Romans 8:24).
The Christian life knows many such paradoxes. We now �are the sons of God,� and yet we are �waiting for the adoption� (vv. 14, 23). Us �he also glorified,� but still �we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together� (vv. 30, 17). Right now in Christ, �we have redemption through his blood,� but the Holy Spirit is �the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession� (Ephesians 1:7, 14). We only have �the firstfruits of the Spirit� while we are awaiting �the redemption of our body� (Romans 8:23), but by �the Holy Spirit of God� we �are sealed unto the day of redemption� (Ephesians 4:30), and therefore we already possess �redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins� (Colossians 1:14). Similarly, the Father already �hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son� (v. 13), but �we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God� (Acts 14:22).
Salvation has past, present, and future dimensions in all its aspects. �He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life� (John 3:36) as a present possession on the basis of a transaction already accomplished; yet still we must be encouraged to �lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called� (1 Timothy 6:12). We know our Savior by faith, but the day will come when we truly know Him as He knows us! HMM
Baptism: Identifying with Christ
Christ began His public ministry with baptism. At the time, John the Baptist was calling people to confess their sins and demonstrate repentance through immersion in the river. So why did Jesus, the sinless One, ask to be baptized? At first, John actually refused, knowing Christ was the "Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world" (John 1:29). But Jesus wasn't demonstrating repentance; He was sacrificially identifying with sinful humankind.
As Christians, we're called to follow His example in all things, becoming more like Him as we grow in our faith. That's why baptism is the first step in following Jesus. As He was willing to identify Himself with us, we publicly identify with Him when we are baptized, which is a symbolic way of declaring, "I have trusted Jesus Christ as my Savior and believe that the debt of my sin is fully paid through His sacrifice. I believe that as He rose from the dead, I will also be resurrected through Him. I look forward to walking in God's will while I'm on the earth and living with Him throughout eternity. Since He loved me enough to identify Himself with me in my sin, I will show my love for Him by following His example right now, and for the rest of my days."
Baptism demonstrates our connection not only with Christ but also with our spiritual brothers and sisters--past, present, and future. We're joining everyone who has walked before us in faith, saying that we are members of one body, redeemed and brought to life by the same Lord.
Unsearchable and Unspeakable
�O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!� (Romans 11:33)
�O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!� (Romans 11:33)
Scientists and philosophers have been able to learn many wonderful things about the universe when they have attempted reverently to think God�s thoughts after Him, but His majesty and purposes are still far beyond human words and understanding�unspeakable and unsearchable. He �doeth great things and unsearchable; marvelous things without number� (Job 5:9).
Not only are His judgments unsearchable and His ways past finding out, but so are His resources. The apostle Paul spoke about �the unsearchable riches of Christ� (Ephesians 3:8), and he once had the unique experience of being caught up somehow into the very paradise of God, where he �heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter� (2 Corinthians 12:4).
We shall learn more, in the ages to come, of �the exceeding riches of his grace� (Ephesians 2:7), as well as the depth of �the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge� (3:19).
We can have a good measure of peace and joy right now in Christ, but there is much more yet to learn. In the new earth some day we shall really experience �the peace of God, which passeth all understanding� (Philippians 4:7) and be able to �rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory� (1 Peter 1:8).
His great gift of salvation and eternal life we comprehend only faintly now, but we know it is indeed a gift of love and grace and peace and joy! Although we cannot begin to describe it now, we can simply say in gratitude, �Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift� (2 Corinthians 9:15). HMM
The Message Proclaimed - By Greg Laurie -
And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things!" -Romans 10:14-15
From the original Greek, we could translate the final question in Romans 10:14 as, "How shall they hear without one preaching?" The Phillips translation puts it this way, "How can they hear unless someone proclaims Him?" Therefore, we see the emphasis is not on a preacher, but on preaching.
We may think the work of evangelism is only for those who are called to be evangelists. Granted, there are people in the church whom God has raised up to be evangelists, and certainly, evangelism is not limited to those who preach to hundreds or thousands at a time. I have seen many individual believers who obviously have this gift.
While it is true that some are called to be evangelists, it is also true that every Christian is called to evangelize. Many times, however, we avoid sharing our faith, deciding instead to just live it out, be a good witness, and leave the preaching to others.
Yet in 1 Corinthians 1:21, it says, "For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe."
This does not mean that we need to scream, yell, and wave a Bible to get the point across. What it does mean is that we are to recognize the primary way God has chosen to reach the lost is through the proclamation of the gospel-by people. God has chosen the agency of His proclaimed Word to bring people to salvation.
Symbols - Bill Wilson - www.dailyjot.com
Symbols. We all use them. I have some trophies on my office shelves. They are symbols of when I was coaching football and riding horses in competition. There are pictures on the wall. They are symbols of events in my life or the lives of family members. The elephants symbolize my days in politics. The copper eagle bust that my son gave me as a gift symbolizes the American Republic and freedom. The African artifacts symbolize my love for my ministry partner William Agbeti, Ghana and Christian service to its people. We have antiques that have been handed down through our family for hundreds of years, symbolic of our heritage. I've always thought it important to understand our history.
I've witnessed the violence over the statues in the South, which are to those who erected them, symbolic of the lives and commitment of the men and women who fought in the American Civil War representing the Confederacy. If you have ever spoken to a family whose relative fought for the South in the Civil War, there is a deep sense of honor to family, patriotism and service to country. There is also a deep sense of standing up for state's rights, for defending the family land. Little is ever mentioned about slavery. A lot is mentioned about the War of Northern Aggression. They see the tearing down of statues honoring Confederate soldiers as an attack on their families and their heritage.
To my friends of color, however, the Confederate battle flag, the statues commemorating the Confederate heroes of the Civil War, and the romanticism associated with the "glory" of the South has a far different heart-set. They are repulsed by the constant reminder, not of the historic past, but of the present. They see these as symbolic of the times, justification of being treated differently, of being disenfranchised, of an era of oppression that hits too close to home. They have legitimate concerns about the future of their children under what seems to be an increasingly hostile environment. If they are concerned about the safety of their children walking down the street, perceived or real, it is very real, irrespective of the cause, or, hear me now, the politics.
My friends of color are not part of Antifa or other subversive groups. They are hard working, loving, kind, God-fearing, Christian men and women. They are every bit American as I am. They would agree that some symbols, irrespective of their symbolic nature, should be preserved as a reminder not to repeat a certain aspect of history. They would also say that some symbols deeply wound their spirits. I hold that no man should own another. It is not Christian. Galatians 3:27-28 says, "For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for you are all one in Christ Jesus."
Symbols have meaning. Some symbolize the history from which we should all learn. Others glorify institutions, or the struggle to keep such institutions, of oppression. And there are those who wish to tear down a nation and their symbol is tearing down a statue. The sin of slavery has and continues to haunt our nation. Violence is not the answer. Being manipulated by subversive organizations that want to overthrow the government is not the answer. Compassion, empathy, understanding, all are a starting place to healing. Let us be ever mindful of our heritage and inheritance in Christ as we deal with these sensitive issues. How we behave, what we say and how we treat others is a reflection of Christ.
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