The Opposium Totalis
Good Morning Friends,
Often the Christian faith is viewed as being compliant and fitting into the mold of religion. The problem is that this approach really only satisfies an external holiness not an inward one. So today we explore going against the grain. Today we speak up noting that all too often political correctness and conventional wisdom are at odds. Today we explore the possibility that there just might be a benefit to contrary thinking and at times to being The Opposium Totalis.
Scripture: From there we put out to sea again and passed to the lee of Cyprus because the winds were against us. When we had sailed across the open sea off the coast of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we landed at Myra in Lycia. There the centurion found an Alexandrian ship sailing for Italy and put us on board. We made slow headway for many days and had difficulty arriving off Cnidus. When the wind did not allow us to hold our course, we sailed to the lee of Crete, opposite Salmone. We moved along the coast with difficulty and came to a place called Fair Havens, near the town of Lasea. Much time had been lost, and sailing had already become dangerous because by now it was after the Day of Atonement. So Paul warned them, “Men, I can see that our voyage is going to be disastrous and bring great loss to ship and cargo, and to our own lives also.” But the centurion, instead of listening to what Paul said, followed the advice of the pilot and of the owner of the ship.
Acts 27:4-29 (NIV)
‘Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.
Matthew 10:34 (NRSV)
Put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
Ephesians 6:11 (NIV)
“Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.”
Matthew 10:34 (NAS)
But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,
Matthew 5:44 (NIV)
Message: Taking the words of the Commandments — the words of God — Jesus said again and again, “You have heard that it was said … but I say unto you.” Friends, Jesus was a contrarian. So if you don’t fit the mold…If you’re tired of adjusting to other people’s definitions of spirituality…If traditional spiritual disciplines just aren’t working for you…If all the standard answers aren’t enough…but your deepest desire is to be closer to God, maybe you should try it and discover that it makes us to look on the inside and not the outside appearances. It makes us realize that we all are sinners in need of a Savior. Many are jaded, but dogma did not just happen and great relationships don’t just happen either. There is work here. But realize this, if you go to one extreme in a position to prove a point, others might just go to the other extreme in retaliation. Sounds like Washington. Maybe that is why Jesus said to love our enemies. Maybe that is why Jesus came not to call the righteous, but sinners.
Peter Marshall put it this way,” When we long for life without difficulties, remind us that oaks grow strong in contrary winds and diamonds are made under pressure.” “Confucius said, “When we see persons of worth, we should think of equaling them; when we see persons of a contrary character, we should turn inwards and examine ourselves.” Samuel Butler said, “If you follow reason far enough it always leads to conclusions that are contrary to reason.” And Jimmy Carter had this to say, “I have to see complacency prevail in our lives when it’s so directly contrary to the teaching of Christ.” But I say we..
Pray to live in such a way that our words are accepted at face value.
Pray we grow closer to God through Jesus. Pray no night is so dark as to hide His face and no storm too rough to be calmed by His grace. Pray no wind is so strong to stay His hand. Pray no mountain so great as to resist His commands. Pray we embrace the contrary virtues. Pray we fight with humility against pride. Pray we fight with kindness to defeat envy. Pray we practice abstinence to battle gluttony. Pray we embrace chastity against lust and patience against anger, and liberality against greed, and diligence against sloth. Pray we live in the world but not be of it.
Blessings,
John Lawson
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