"Christmas" and "Holidays"--Just A Reminder
I know of Christian friends who are losing sleep
over "Christmas" being displaced from Western Culture. Here's a reminder of
encouragement.
Christianity's status as the cultural guide for the
West is slipping. Meanwhile, it's growing very quickly in South America, Africa,
and China. God is working out his plans as he
pleases.
What does it mean to us in the West, though? We've enjoyed a period of history that may now be passing. If it does, let's consider Christ's words:
“Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues. You will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.
“Now brother will deliver up brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved. When they persecute you in this city, flee to another. For assuredly, I say to you, you will not have gone through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes.
“A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for a disciple that he be like his teacher, and a servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more will they call those of his household! Therefore do not fear them. For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known." (Matthew 10:16-26)
Jesus knew his followers would encounter opposition: we would be sheep in the midst of wolves. But "the good shepherd gives His life for the sheep" (John 10:11). We do not (yet?) face the kind of persecution Jesus spoke of here, the kind that is all too common elsewhere in the world even today. God goes with us into opposition.
Above all, we should not feel personally offended by the changes in today's culture. It's a spiritual phenomenon, not a personal one. It is the Master who is really under attack, not "those of his household." And he can handle it. Therefore let us respond with confidence, never with fear or despair.
“Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
“You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.
“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." (Matthew 5:11-16)
We can even respond with joy, for opposition means gain, not loss. We certainly ought to respond: we need to speak truth to our culture, and demonstrate it with our lives. The first passage above comes in the context of Christ sending out his followers to do just that. We do not just lay down and give up the prophetic message. But let's speak out with a gracious, joyful, confident heart that demonstrates our trust in the living King of all.
What's more important: that lighted evergreen trees be called "Christmas trees," or that followers of Christ act as salt and light in a dark and needy world?
(Follow-up posted on 12/8/05: How Would Jesus Fight the Christmas Wars?)
What does it mean to us in the West, though? We've enjoyed a period of history that may now be passing. If it does, let's consider Christ's words:
“Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues. You will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.
“Now brother will deliver up brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved. When they persecute you in this city, flee to another. For assuredly, I say to you, you will not have gone through the cities of Israel before the Son of Man comes.
“A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for a disciple that he be like his teacher, and a servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more will they call those of his household! Therefore do not fear them. For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known." (Matthew 10:16-26)
Jesus knew his followers would encounter opposition: we would be sheep in the midst of wolves. But "the good shepherd gives His life for the sheep" (John 10:11). We do not (yet?) face the kind of persecution Jesus spoke of here, the kind that is all too common elsewhere in the world even today. God goes with us into opposition.
Above all, we should not feel personally offended by the changes in today's culture. It's a spiritual phenomenon, not a personal one. It is the Master who is really under attack, not "those of his household." And he can handle it. Therefore let us respond with confidence, never with fear or despair.
“Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
“You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned? It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled underfoot by men.
“You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven." (Matthew 5:11-16)
We can even respond with joy, for opposition means gain, not loss. We certainly ought to respond: we need to speak truth to our culture, and demonstrate it with our lives. The first passage above comes in the context of Christ sending out his followers to do just that. We do not just lay down and give up the prophetic message. But let's speak out with a gracious, joyful, confident heart that demonstrates our trust in the living King of all.
What's more important: that lighted evergreen trees be called "Christmas trees," or that followers of Christ act as salt and light in a dark and needy world?
(Follow-up posted on 12/8/05: How Would Jesus Fight the Christmas Wars?)
Posted: Tue - December 6, 2005 at 11:48 AM |
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Published On: Dec 06, 2007 01:04 PM
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