Wednesday, October 25, 2023

“Where do you think all these appalling wars and quarrels come from? Do you think they just happen? Think again. They come about because you want your own way, and fight for it deep inside yourselves. You lust for what you don’t have and are willing to kill to get it. You want what isn’t yours and will risk violence to get your hands on it. You wouldn’t think of just asking God for it, would you? And why not? Because you know you’d be asking for what you have no right to. You’re spoiled children, each wanting your own way.” (James 4: 1 3, The Message Bible)

               Some thoughts while wars wage…

                I have seen some nasty church fights in my time, especially when I was an Area Minister for the Canadian Baptists of Ontario and Quebec. A lot of my time was spent refereeing, mediating, separating sides, arbitrating. Pastor versus congregants.  Congregational splits; for example, over the use of contemporary music and guitars and drums.  Deep divides between the combatants. No love. No mercy, No forgiveness. No tolerance. People acting out the worse behaviour possible. Loss of trust in each other. Criticisms flying. Accusations made. Divided churches. No good outcome.

              On one occasion, a parishioner was demanding that I do something about their pastor. I told the person that she might not like what I might do. She replied, “Good. Then, we will have some one to blame.”

   And to be totally honest, during my pastoral stints, I could cause a good church controversy as well as anyone. I was once accused of delighting in causing a big stink. I didn’t, but I also never backed away from those who disagreed with me. It made life interesting.

                It must all make Jesus weep.

                The church to which James is writing is in a self-inflicted mess. There are deep divisions between the rich and the poor. There is gossip and back-biting. Some ignore the poor and their needs.  They talk a good game in regards to their Christian faith but their actions don’t support their faith. There is a lot of pushing and shoving for privileges and prestige. There are negative judgments of each other. We could be describing the congressional GOP in the United States these days but sadly we are describing a church.

                James writes a very blunt letter, no holds barred. In our text from James 4, he hits the nail on the head. Everybody is fighting for what they want and have no consideration for what anyone else wants.  Everybody wants their own way.  Selfishness runs rampant. They will go to any ends and any means to get what they want. It’s all about themselves.  And when people are only out for themselves, there will be the inevitable quarrels, nasty disagreements, and brokenness. All will suffer.

                It is true in churches. It is true in families. It is true in politics. It is true in global affairs.

                James offers a solution: “So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.”  (James 4: 7 -10, New Living Translation)

                Get right with God. Put others ahead of yourself. Love one another.

                Jesus put it this way: “The most important commandment is this: ‘Listen, O Israel! The Lord our God is the one and only Lord. And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.’ The second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ No other commandment is greater than these.” (Mark 12: 29 -31, NLT)

                Why is this so hard? Why do we twist and bend these core values of how-to live in unity and harmony with each other?

                “Bless your enemies; no cursing under your breath. Laugh with your happy friends when they’re happy; share tears when they’re down. Get along with each other; don’t be stuck-up. Make friends with nobodies; don’t be the great somebody.” (Romans 12: 16, TMB)

                Let there be peace on earth, for heaven’s sake!

                “Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.” (Colossians 3: 14, NLT)

                Amen to that!

 Dale