Corrupted
Hebrews 11:32-12:2
What kind of life can we expect as Christians?
Photo by Reagan M. on Unsplash
And what more should I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets-- who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions, quenched raging fire, escaped the edge of the sword, won strength out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. Women received their dead by resurrection. Others were tortured, refusing to accept release, in order to obtain a better resurrection. Others suffered mocking and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were stoned to death, they were sawn in two, they were killed by the sword; they went about in skins of sheep and goats, destitute, persecuted, tormented-- of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground. Yet all these, though they were commended for their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better so that they would not, apart from us, be made perfect. Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God. - Hebrews 11:32-12:2
I used to think that the kind of life Paul talked about for the early Christians in his letters was much more of a struggle than the life we have as Christians today.
The people who were despised and ridiculed in modern times were the Jews. They were the ones who suffered in this life, especially in recent times. Christians had it easy. Christianity was adopted as a state religion by Hitler to rally people together and get them to agree to atrocities.
So, Christianity became tarnished, and now, today, many feel Christians are a part of a cult that is racist and self-serving.
Just as the Jews turn to God when people band together against them, the Christians have done the same.And since 9-11, Muslims have had to do the same, being made targets, labeled as terrorists.
All people of faith now live in fear. Is that what God intended for us? Of is this how we corrupt God’s commandments?
Jesus didn’t promise a wonderful life here on earth for his followers. He promised eternal life for all the suffering we will endure here.
I wonder if that was a smart move on his part.
He must have seen how we would use and abuse our faith to bring about a life we justify as godly and loving, even when we aren’t either.
And yet we should have been willing to endure hardship for Christ, helping one another at a personal cost to us, out of love.
Today, all across the globe, the three religions are locked in battles with one another, while the poor and destitute continue to suffer.
Power seekers are using this confusion and conflict to convince us that we are selfish and evil, and that money is indeed the root of all evil in our society.
Their solution, though, is just as flawed, if not worse, as what we have now.
So, what is Paul’s message to us?
Are we to simply grin and bear it, accept that we are hated for our faith, just like everyone else?
We have corrupted Jesus’ teachings, and now we live with the consequences. We thought that we could never be swayed or corrupted in our faith, and corrupt rulers proved us wrong.
There is no doubt that we can do a better job of helping one another in this life. And we have learned from Jesus that waiting until the next life to be kind and compassionate is not an option.
So, maybe we should demand of our representatives what God demands of all of us, to have compassion and love. Get back to work. Stop bickering. Meet in the middle rather than stand firm at your post.
We can have the best intentions and still cause harm to many.
More to come...