Of Doves, Hawks & Hypocrites

Of Doves, Hawks and Hypocrites

“I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.” 
         Matthew 10:16.

Jesus here is making a very clear statement, he was sending them out defenceless into a world that could be very dangerous. He therefor tells us to be as careful what we say and do and above all be harmless.
No normal person will ever attack someone they perceive as harmless.
Sadly however many people see what Mahatma Gandhi saw when he said,
“Jesus is ideal and wonderful, but you Christians - you are not like him.”
                                                                                             Mahatma Gandhi
It all comes down to who are Christians.
Dwight L. Moody said,
“We are told to let our light shine and if it does we wont need to tell anyone it does. Lighthouses don’t fire cannons to call attention to their shining.”
                                                                   Dwight L. Moody.
Unfortunately today in the media and out, many non-Christians see Christians as hawks or hypocrites.
But are these people who are acting like hawks truly Christians. Jesus said,
“Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’  
Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’” 
                                                                                                Matthew 7:22,23.
Sometimes I think we Christians get our civil rights granted to us by a secular government mixed up with our faith.
Unless our freedom to worship and speak freely and the freedoms of other are being taken away I don’t think we should be protesting against anything or anyone.
Freedom of speech and to worship is very much a civil matter. Not a religious one. Christians have had their rights to worship taken away from them many times before and still are having that right restricted, yet we still worship and flourish.
What Gandhi and others are saying is that from their observations they are not seeing those calling themselves Christians as acting like Christ. Something we should be doing at all times.
Francis of Assisi said,
“Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words.”
                                                                                 Francis of Assisi
I do not believe that Christians have the right to protest against another group who does not threaten our rights to worship freely or our freedom of speech and association.
We must never, never attempt to put our morality on those we disagree with it will turn them against us.
Paul writing to the Corinthians said,
“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?
God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.”
                                                                      1 Corinthians 5:12,13
We must enter into open and free discussion with the non-believer wherever and whenever we can. We should be sticking to Biblical issues. To be doing what Jesus would have us do.
Tony Campolo the American Evangelist said,
“These issues are biblical issues: to care for the sick, to feed the hungry, to stand up for the oppressed. I contend that if the evangelical community became more biblical, everything would change.”
                          Tony Campolo
Think about it.

Doves and Hawks and Hypocrites

Doves and Hawks and Hypocrites

“I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.” 
          Matthew 10:16.

Jesus here is making a very clear statement, he was sending the disciples out defenceless into a world that could be very dangerous. He therefore tells us to be as careful what we say and do and above all be harmless.
No normal person will ever attack someone who is doing good or they perceive as harmless.
Sadly however many people see what Mahatma Gandhi saw when he said,
“Jesus is ideal and wonderful, but you Christians - you are not like him.”
                                                                                             Mahatma Gandhi
It all comes down to who are Christians.
Dwight L. Moody said,
“We are told to let our light shine and if it does we wont need to tell anyone it does. Lighthouses don’t fire cannons to call attention to their shining.”
                                                                    Dwight L. Moody.
Unfortunately today in the media and out, many non-Christians see Christians as hawks or hypocrites.
But are these people who are acting like hawks and hypocrites truly Christians. Jesus said,
“Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’  
Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’” 
                                                                                                Matthew 7:22,23.
Sometimes I think we Christians who get our civil rights granted to us by a secular governments, use them to attack civil authorities and others we disagree with. This should not be so.
Jesus and the disciples never once spoke out against the secular civil authorities of Rome. Thus setting the example for us.
Unless our freedom to worship, speak freely and the freedoms of other are being taken away I don’t think we should be protesting against anything or anyone.
Freedom of speech and to worship is very much a civil matter. Not a religious one.
Christians have had their rights to worship taken away from them many times over the centuries, starting with Rome, and still are having that right restricted. Never-the-less we still worship and florish.
 What Gandhi and others are saying, is that from their observations they are not seeing those calling themselves Christians acting like Christ. Something we should be doing at all times.
Francis of Assisi said,
“Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words.”
                                                                                 Francis of Assisi
I do not believe that Christians have the right to protest against another group who does not threaten our rights to worship freely or our freedom of speech and association.
We must never, never attempt to put our morality on, or judge those who disagree with us, it will turn them against us.
The apostle Paul said,
"What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?  
God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.” 
                                                                              1 Corinthians 5:12,13.
We must enter into open and free discussion with the non-believer wherever and whenever we can.
Jesus made it clear what the Christians duty to him is. Matthew records,
“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” 
                                                                    Matthew 28:18-20
In order for us to reach the world we Christians must be willing to discuss what we believe with others and to listen to what they have to say.
This is what it is to be a Christian.
To reach out to the world with the love of Christ.
To present to anyone who will listen the teachings of Christ.
To give every man and woman who will listen the opportunity to decide for themselves who Jesus is.
Think about it.