“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.” [1]
More capable men than myself have unpacked this spiritual truth. So I will not attempt to explain what every spiritual blessing includes. It stands though, that every believer in Jesus has unseen gifts far beyond anything that we could imagine. We are given so much and yet we get trapped in lies that this is not the case.
Three things often converge to spread the lie: Christianity, conservatism, and complaining. Bemoaning that traditional and good Christian morals or values are being abandoned. Complaining that certain people groups are getting preference instead of Christians. Indignation that the media mocks Christian beliefs and ideas. Complaining that American culture is changing.
Some outlets cry that Christian America is under attack. They are fearful and complain because they have forgotten the truth and are not following Jesus’ way of life. Consider how Jesus’ early followers responded. Peter and the apostles were arrested, jailed, and flogged by the political religious powers. In response they rejoiced because they had been considered worthy to suffer for Jesus and they continued to talk about Jesus – the very thing that got them flogged[2]. Peter and Silas were stripped, flogged, and jailed. They responded by singing praise songs to God while in jail[3]. None of them tried to change the political system, they focused on loving people and bringing Jesus everywhere they went.
So how can it be Christianity if there is such fear and complaining over these little things in our country? It is a veneer of Christian words with no real substance. Those who perpetuate this can only expect rebuke from the master in heaven. Wicked, lazy servants who have do not put their gifts to use for the kingdom of God. Instead of using their gifts to love they run away from those whom they should embrace with God’s love.
There should be such rejoicing in this time for we have the opportunity to show the world the love of Jesus by our conduct. If it is true that this country is becoming darker, then our light will shine even brighter in these times! Is there hopelessness? Not for us! For we do not put our hope in man or politics, but in Jesus!
When did Christians become selfish, self-absorbed, and fearful little children? We should be ashamed before God that this is such a prevalent attitude! What a deplorable example to give the world: we say we are special, but actually we are no different from you. If there is anyone on earth that is free from complaining it is us! We have the answers given to us from the living God. All we have to do is listen to what He says.
Why would we expect that the governments of the world would treat us fairly? Why would we expect that we should be seen as the best of citizens? Why should we expect to be respected and treated well? Jesus did not guarantee any of that. In fact he told us to expect the opposite[4] and to rejoice when we suffer[5].
So, it is time for us to rejoice, not be driven by fear.
It is time for us to recognize God’s blessings and the opportunity for us to do good.
It is time to love our enemies, sacrifice our lives for them, despite their conduct, attitudes, and culture. Build loving, caring friendships with them, trying to meet their needs in these dark times when people are absorbed with their own self-interests. Let us hold out the word that brings life and let our good works shine as light in a dark world.
There is no room to complain, only to thank God for the great things he is giving us. We have an opportunity to truly show the world who God is by our love for all people despite, race, culture, orientation, or beliefs. Remind each other of these things and denounce those who claim to be Christians but reject Jesus’ way of love.
Peter, one of Jesus’ closest friends and disciple instructed early Christians: “Live such good lives among your unbelieving neighbors that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.”[6]
In America, I do not think we have attained this, much to our own disgrace. None of us have suffered to the point of death. Our response should be joy in the face of even this, because how beautiful will it be to see our savior face to face. So how can we complain about such minor concerns? No, we must all instead set our eyes on the hope Jesus brings and our hands on the labor of love he sets before us. Then our hearts will be free, at peace, and our joy unshakable.
If James, the Lord’s brother, were here today; I believe he would warn us: “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”[7] No matter how much we call ourselves Christians, it means nothing unless we do what the word says: loving others and laying down our very lives for them.
- Ephesians 1:3
- Acts 5:40-42
- Acts 16:22-25
- Matthew 10
- Matthew 5:11-12
- 1 Peter 2:12 NIV/NLT
- James 1:22 NIV
