Sugar and Light

Recently there has been a story in the news about a Christian couple who owned a bakery and refused to bake a wedding cake for a lesbian couple.  The ensuing firestorm resulted in the eventual closing of their shop.  A heated political and legal debate has only just begun over religious rights versus discrimination based on sexual orientation.  After reading the article, I couldn't help asking the question, "Why not bake the cake?"  Owners respond,  "We don't have anything against lesbians or homosexuals . . . it has to do with our morals and beliefs."

This is not the first story of its kind.  A few years ago we read about Christian entrepreneurs in England who refused a gay couple admittance to their bed and breakfast.  Again with the predictable backlash, the outcome was not pleasant for the B&B owners.  And another story told of a florist who refused to provide flowers for a homosexual wedding.  It seems that larger issues exist here that should not be classified as political, legal, or cultural, rather they are missional.

I understand the reason for refusing to bake the cake.  The couple does not wish to condone immorality.  Therefore, they made a "moral" decision to not participate in the homosexual wedding.  I also understand their argument for exercising their freedom to provide business services to the people of their choosing (although the state of Oregon may have something else to say on the matter).  However, as Christians, they have forgotten the purpose for having a business in the first place.

As Christians, we are called to be salt and light in the world.  Our mission is to glorify God by loving Him and loving our neighbors (simply stated).  Christian business owners have the wonderful opportunity to show the love of Christ to colleagues as well as customers by the way they run their businesses and conduct themselves.  Christians are to work as unto the Lord (Col. 3:2-24); our work should be the best, because we are not working for the praise of men but to bring glory to God.  So it is no wonder that not-yet-Christians would prefer a cake baked by a Christian; it is the best! 

God has then brought a missional opportunity to your doorstep.  Only the wedding dress is more closely scrutinized than the wedding cake.  It stands as a beacon of celebration.  What better way to worship God than to bake a beautiful cake for all to see, if God has given the ability.  Perhaps a Christian baker's mission is to be "Sugar and Light" (that might even be a good name for the shop).

Sadly many Christians have lost sight of the mission.  We get trapped into thinking more about the here and now than about using our gifts to further the Kingdom of God.  Our tendency is to withdraw from the world to avoid being stained with sin.  If Christians avoid contact with sinners, who then will tell them about Jesus?  Did the lesbian couple feel the love of Christ?  I don't think so.  What if all Christian business people refused products and services to anyone living in open sin?  Christian attorneys face these issues daily, for example.  How does a Christian attorney defend a known criminal?  Because the criminal has the legal right to a proper defense.  By providing this defense the attorney has an opportunity to share Christ's forgiveness as well as provide a much needed service.

We might ask how Jesus would have responded in this situation.  Would he, as a carpenter, have made furniture for a homosexual couple?  Or would he have been more concerned about his political freedom than with loving people?  I think we gain insight into the answer by observing Jesus interacting with the woman at the well.  Here is a women living in outward sin and shunned by society.  Yet Jesus went to her in love and changed her for all eternity.

As Christians we tend to see people as the enemy.  Whether people differ with us politically or theologically, we target the person.  The real enemy here is Satan.  We are right to hate sin, but we are wrong to hate those who are still blinded by it - as we once were (1 Cor. 6:9-11).  God may be using you to bring this sinner to himself.  Respond with compassion for the sinner.  It is possible to love the person without condoning the lifestyle.







   

Should Christians embrace Green Living?

One of my favorite shows on TV these days is Whale Wars.  I really enjoy watching these environmentalists try to save the lives of defenseless whales.  It is quality entertainment.  I find myself rooting for both sides (the Japanese whalers and the Sea Shepherds).  However, I must ask myself the question: "Who's right?"  As a Christian, should I be protecting marine life or eating it?  As with all life questions, I turn to Scripture for the answer.
Genesis 1 gives us the account of creation; verses 26-31 describe the creation of man along with the cultural mandate.  Genesis 1:28 says, "And God blessed them.  And God said to them, 'Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.'"  God has assigned man (read mankind, or humans) the task of taking care of the planet and everything in it.  Surely he has also provided plants and animals as our source of nourishment (see verses 29-30), but our main job regarding the earth is to manage it well.
I've heard many people - even within the Church - talk about tree-huggers, animal-lovers, and hippies with a sense of disdain.  Some who would thirst to death before taking a sip of wine, gossip unceasingly about those, perhaps misguided, whale-lovers.  But if God has given man the responsibility to take care of the earth shouldn't Christians be leading the charge for Green Living?
The main difference in the approach between Christians and the green crowd should be motive.  Christians are to take care of the planet because it was made by God and we have been commanded to do so.  I am not worried about what might happen if we destroy our planet; I know where I'll be when I die.  However, I am worried about offending Almighty God!
So do not be so quick to dismiss the tree-hugger community; they may be acting more "Christianly" than the Church.  We can all find areas of needless waste in our lives.  I do believe that we please God when we live simply and thoughtfully.  We can start by questioning our daily activities.  Find areas of excess and cut them out.  Think biblically (this assumes you have knowledge of the Bible) about the things you do every day.  At the very least perhaps we will begin to appreciate those who have chosen to live "greener" than ourselves.  Appreciation will lead to love for our neighbor, which is the second greatest commandment.  Unless we have this love for our neighbor, we cannot possibly love God.

Share My Faith?

I've been a Christian for almost twenty years.  You could say that I have never known a day without God.  That is to say that as far back as I can remember I was in Church hearing about God.  Even though I know that millions of people have never heard the name of Jesus, that fact is difficult for me to comprehend.
I need to check myself periodically to see if I am becoming calloused to the needs of the world.  Do I lock myself into my comfortable little cocoon and pretend everything is fine outside?  Do I see the world's ignorance of Jesus as "not my problem?"
The world has more than 7 billion people.  I will never be able to reach them all.  The good news is I don't have to.  But I can reach the people I work with, my family, my friends, and even people I meet through the course of daily life.  If I do not love my neighbor, then I do not love Jesus.
Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me.  And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.  (John 14:21)
If I claim to know Jesus yet I show no love for my neighbor, I am lying to myself.
Share the truth of the gospel in love.

Read the Syllabus

I recently heard someone say that many people try to pass the course of life without first reading the syllabus.
I don't understand how anyone can look around (at the solar system, our planet, the cycle of life) and say "there is no God."  But what astounds me even more are the people who say "I believe in God," and yet they refuse to read the Bible or seek to follow its commandments.  At least the atheist is consistent with his professions and his actions.  Professing Christ with your mouth does not make you a Christian.  For more information on how to pass this course called Life 101 ... read the syllabus.

Make Disciples

Jesus used his precious last minutes on this Earth with his disciples to give final instructions: "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.  And behold, I am with you, always, to the end of the age." Mt 28:19-20
It's interesting that Jesus did not tell the disciples to go evangelize the nations, rather "make disciples of all nations."  He was not merely interested in people hearing the gospel; Jesus wanted disciples, not converts.  Disciples learn Jesus' commands; disciples are committed for the long haul; disciples do not fall away at the first sign of difficulty, which Jesus assured them would come.
The American church today seems more interested in growing churches with "converts" than with "disciples."  This may help to explain why people leave out the back door as quickly as they come in the front.
We may need to ask ourselves some hard questions.  Is there any substance to our teaching, or is it feel-goodism?  Do we present people with the truth as Jesus did in the case of the rich young ruler and others?  Do we believe that Jesus will be with us to the end of the age accomplishing his work?
This will cause some discomfort in our lives.  After all, we are sheep amongst wolves.  If they killed Jesus, why should we expect better treatment?
So Christian, Go...make disciples!

Paul's Cultural Mandate

In 1 Cor. 9: 19-23 Paul lays out his cultural mandate for reaching the nations.  He claims that he has become all things to all people that by all means he might save some.  Does this apply to us today? If so, how?
Yes! We are commissioned to go out to all the nations!  We go because because God commands it, but we don't rely on our on strength.  God (through the Holy Spirit) does the work of regeneration.  We are the "feet on the ground."  We are to make disciple-making disciples that will plant church-planting churches.  This is the work of God's army.  All other things we do are means to this end.
We become all things to all people by learning their language, learning their culture, and genuinely loving them as Christ loves the church.  God delights in the diversity he created and so should we.

I'll Give It A Go

Hello World,
Now that I am back in school for the first time in seven years I have more time to read, write, and think (or meditate) about God and His word.  The idea for this blog is to share some of the thoughts of one of God's most insignificant servants (me) with those who would be so inclined to read them.  Maybe you've had similar thoughts?  Maybe we should sit down for coffee to discuss them?  One of my concerns for creating a blog is that it will further this movement towards communicating through electronic means rather than face to face interaction.  My prayer is that this blog will lead to interest in common concerns about our world and God's plan for it.  I would love to hear your thoughts on issues that are important to you as well. So, let's get started...