We are fast becoming a nation obsessed with rights but unpulsed by responsibilities. JFK's famous charge of "Ask not what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country," is being turned on its head. More and more, Americans are demanding public aid as a personal right while they contribute nothing to the national good.
Sadly, far too many Christians and a growing number of churches are following this lead with a prosperity Gospel instead of the personal investment of one's life Jesus calls us to. Listen to what our Lord has to say about personal gain vs personal giving: "For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it" (Matt 16:25).
A disciple's call is to follow in the steps of his Master, not use his name or influence for personal gain. In that following, there will be gain, the gain of becoming like the Master and enjoining him in his life. Our Master, Jesus Christ, gave his life for others and is now at His Father's side. This is our calling, to give this life in service for other and later to enjoy the Life with our Father.
That doesn't mean we are not to enjoy this life. To the contrary, when we learn to give rather than take, our life is enriched and we are blessed in the giving. As our Lord said, "it is more blessed to give than receive" (Acts 20:25).
We have rights and we can insist on them but the power in setting aside personal rights and taking up responsibility for others is what brought Jesus into this world to save a lost humanity, it is the power that creates true heroes, it is the power that made this nation great, it is the model for and the making of authentic personhood.
Jus' Sayn.
No comments:
Post a Comment