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In a few days we will be choosing a new government in the UK and last week we looked at Jesus as God's candidate. This week we ask what is life like under the government of Jesus? Many will remember the sense of elation felt by many after the election results of 1997. "Things can only get better" went the anthem of the winning party. It didn't take long before the euphoria felt by some turned to disappointment as the reality of government faced by every new administration kicked it. It's a bit like that in the Christian life. Conversion can be an euphoric experience. Even those who just quietly come to the Lord enjoy an initial lift in the light of the new hope they have found. Then reality kicks in, often in the form of other Christians. Things are not always sweetness and light, we have failings and we let each other down, we disagree over things and sometimes we can end asking whether this is the new life Jesus promised. Some end up saying "Jesus yes, Church no!" If you recognise this picture, if you have known disillusionment with "the Church" this may be for you.
Trouble in the World
Jesus told his disciples, "In this world you
will have trouble." (John 16:33) This is remarkably frank and
not the kind of promise we expect from our political leaders. But, as
Jesus told Pilate, the kingdom in which he rules and reigns is not of
this world. If you are of his kingdom then you are no longer of this
world. People always want like-minded people around them and you no
longer think like the world thinks - if you are his. You are bound to
have trouble in this world because you no longer "fit".
In Matthew's gospel (13:24-30) Jesus told the parable of the weeds:
The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed
good seed in his field. But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came
and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. When the heat sprouted
and formed ears, then the weeds also appeared.
The field is the world, the enemy is Satan and we see the results of his work all around us.
Trouble in the Church
We also see many of these same things in the church since the world all too often enters the church. Some "Christians" are mature and strong, some are growing but have a long way to go, some are immature and struggling, and some are simply not Christians. Susanna Wesley, mother of John and Charles, said:
The tree is known by its fruits, but not always
by its blossoms. What blossoms beautifully sometimes bears bitter fruit.
Jesus did not leave his disciples "in trouble" but went on to say:
Take heart! I have over come the world.
Just as he promised his disciples that the grief they would soon experience when he left them would eventually turn to joy (John 16:20-23) so he promises us that, although the world may seem to have won, yet our grief will also turn to joy because:
Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute
you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice
and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven. (Mat.5:11-12)
Meanwhile we are to remember that the church is people and so must bear the burden of human weakness.
Christ loves the Church
It is essential that a Christian should be in fellowship with other Christians in a church. The best definition of church I have ever come across is "the people of God, gathered around the Word of God, ready to do the will of God". The people of God identify themselves by the very act of gathering and sharing the love of Christ with each other. Jesus said, "By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another" (John 13:35). Paul tells us that "love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres" (1 Corinthians 13:4-7). It seems to me that love is a tough thing to do and so when we see the church being less than it should be that is when we should apply these words. "Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her" (Ephesians 5:25), and so it is wrong-headed to give up the church for Christ because we are frustrated with it. The church is Christ's and must bear the marks of his ownership.
When the people of God gather, it is around Gods Word. That means some form of leadership and teaching. The early church, "devoted themselves to the apostle's teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer" (Acts 2:42). The apostle's teaching is the same as it ever was, and one of the advantages of being together and having leaders is that we can encourage each other to be true to that teaching. Checks and balances are so important to the church. Fellowship is the sharing of all these things and encouraging one another in them, breaking bread is commanded by Jesus himself, as you know, and prayer is for each other and for the wider world, for the church abroad, and for the work of the church in reaching the lost. In other words, so much of church is not about me but about others.
A New Way
Meanwhile we have the new law, the law of love, Christ taught us from the mountainside. This very much describes the character of this new community we have entered.
We are to be "salt and light" (Mat.5:13-16)
Our righteousness must surpass that of the Pharisees (5:20)
We have a new way of thinking, about others and about personal relationships (5:21-320)
We are to be honest in our dealings (5:33-37)
We are to go the extra mile (5:38-48)
We are to be charitable (6:1-4)
We are to be prayerful (6:5-18)
We are to act as though our citizenship is in heaven (6:19-24)
We are to rely on the provision of God without which none of this is possible (6:25-34)
Meanwhile we are to encourage one another. The writer to the Hebrews urged:
Therefore brothers, since we have confidence
to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living
way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body…Let us hold
unswervingly to the hope we profess for he who promised is faithful.
And let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love and
good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the
habit of doing, but let us encourage one another - and all the more
as you see the Day approach. (Heb.10:23-25)
This is the Christian life, life under Jesus' government. The programme is full, the challenges are great, but the provision is abundant and the promises are sure to those who trust in him. May we trust in him for life and salvation whatever our political persuasion.
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