Is Being A Christian A Reasonable Thing To Do In The World Today?
Good Morning Friends,
The Redemption of the Image of the cross into a symbol of love is a bit strange. It answers lots of questions about God’s power but raises others. Many have called the whole thing into question. That a tool of torture could be turned into a symbol of our faith is not what most would expect. Some even say that those who believe this stuff and donate to Christian causes and study the Bible are really part of a cult, but I think it is more rational to consider it wise culture making. Regardless, this morning we ask, Is Being A Christian A Reasonable Thing To Do In The World Today?
Scripture: But what does it say? “The word is near you, on your lips and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); because if you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For one believes with the heart and so is justified, and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved. The scripture says, “No one who believes in him will be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all and is generous to all who call on him. For, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” But how are they to call on one in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in one of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone to proclaim him? And how are they to proclaim him unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” But not all have obeyed the good news; for Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our message?” So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the word of Christ.
Romans 10:8-17 (NRSV)
For Christ did not send me to baptize but to proclaim the gospel, and not with eloquent wisdom, so that the cross of Christ might not be emptied of its power. For the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.” Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, God decided, through the foolishness of our proclamation, to save those who believe. For Jews demand signs and Greeks desire wisdom, but we proclaim Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For God’s foolishness is wiser than human wisdom, and God’s weakness is stronger than human strength. Consider your own call, brothers and sisters: not many of you were wise by human standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, things that are not, to reduce to nothing things that are, so that no one might boast in the presence of God. He is the source of your life in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification and redemption, in order that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”
1 Corinthians 1:17-31 (NRSV)
I call heaven and earth to witness against you today that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Choose life so that you and your descendants may live,
Deuteronomy 30:19 (NRSV)
Message: The cross really gives all the answers to today’s question. It is about logic but also about what we desire in our life…redemption. That is when being a Christian makes the most sense in the drama of life… at weddings and births and baptisms and funerals where the joy and sadness of life converge and we have greater clarity on the answer we are looking for. But the reality is that Christianity does not have the answer that many are hoping to hear, so for them Christianity, especially the part about the cross is a stumbling block. Some think it is foolishness and others are made uneasy, annoyed or even get upset and nasty about it. Others count is as superstition or as a drug for the masses that borders on an addiction or mental illness. But if you are looking for the power of God in your life then Christianity is a reasonable thing to embrace. But one cannot be successful at it and be lukewarm. First one has to be willing to relinquish control. So if you want to be in charge and if you want God to provide you proof through miraculous signs then Christianity will never be a reasonable approach to life. If you want a God to protect you from the difficulties of life…all the suffering and despair then think again. The cross declares the truth that life will not always turn out the way you want it to. People were willing to follow Jesus until the cross. But the cross declares something else and that is that things will work out the way God wants. It is about God’s power. And if you are not ok with that then Christianity will never seem reasonable. Friends, sometimes it takes emotional events to help us appreciate the importance of sharing the love and grace we have received. So regardless of whether you are an optimist or an idealist or a realist, or even a pessimist, know that God will give you a more abundant life if you believe and that is a very reasonable thing to embrace and to share.
Pray scripture reveals God’s message of salvation to us in a way that prompts us to believe. Pray we realize that we are absolutely useless if we do not effectively share the Gospel of our salvation with others. Pray we are honest about what we want out of life. Pray we realize that we are not in control but can choose to love a God who is. Pray we have faith in God.
Pray we realize that our thoughts are not God’s thoughts, nor are our ways God’s ways. Pray we realize that God’s ways and thoughts are better than our ways and thoughts. Pray we realize that God may not be the answer the world is looking for but can be an answer for us. Pray we have faith that God will provide something better for us than we can reasonably expect…grace…love. Pray we get clear on what we believe and get better at sharing it with others in a way that honors God. Pray we are inspired to choose life. Pray we realize that in the act of believing we open up the abundance of life that is made possible by submitting to God’s ordering.
Blessings,
John Lawson
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