Standing Up for Righteousness
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult, 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, for in the same way, they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (Matthew 5:10-12)
In his book, The Culturally Savvy Christian, Dick Staub asks a haunting question: “What if we think we’re at a high point in church history but are actually at a low point?” (p.29)
In his final beatitude, Jesus promises a blessed life for those who are persecuted because of their allegiance to God’s kingdom, a kingdom that, unlike the kingdoms of this world, is able to establish justice and promote righteousness or “right living.”
I speak as a Christian who happens to be a citizen of the United States when I say that I am deeply disturbed over the misplaced faith and misguided allegiance of many Christians in my country. It is tragic to see progressive or liberal Christians aligning so closely with the Democratic Party that their faith is inseparably linked with their politics. It is equally tragic to see conservative, or fundamentalist Christians aligned so closely with the Republican Party that their faith is linked with their politics.
Both of these worldly allegiances distort the reality of God’s kingdom. Both betray worldly thinking and perspectives among those called to be “blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation (called to) shine among them like stars in the sky.” (Philippians 2:15)
“Our citizenship is in heaven,” Paul tells us in Philippians 3:20. His words parallel Jesus’ words in this beatitude when he says, “theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
Righteousness or justice will never come through political parties, laws, or court decisions. Not ultimately. Neither will it come through our passionate but misguided faith in these things rather than the simple but powerful “mustard seed” way of God’s kingdom.
Righteousness begins on an individual and personal level. It begins when we stop demonizing others who see things differently than us. We may disagree and disagree strongly, but we can still treat people for what and who they truly are - human beings made in the image of God.
Righteousness begins in the heart. Those committed to righteousness in this life know that that righteousness comes only through Jesus. What this results in, more than anything else, is a deep humility that understands we are no better than anyone else. So, why are we so quick to judge and condemn? Why do we allow ourselves to be incited and divided by talking heads on the Left and Right who promote anything but this kind of humble desire for understanding and reconciliation?
I love Eugene Peterson’s translation of James 3:13-18 in The Message -
Do you want to be counted wise, to build a reputation for wisdom? Here’s what you do: Live well, live wisely, live humbly. It’s the way you live, not the way you talk, that counts. Mean-spirited ambition isn’t wisdom. Boasting that you are wise isn’t wisdom. Twisting the truth to make yourselves sound wise isn’t wisdom. It’s the furthest thing from wisdom—it’s animal cunning, devilish plotting. Whenever you’re trying to look better than others or get the better of others, things fall apart and everyone ends up at the others’ throats.
Real wisdom, God’s wisdom, begins with a holy life and is characterized by getting along with others. It is gentle and reasonable, overflowing with mercy and blessings, not hot one day and cold the next, not two-faced. You can develop a healthy, robust community that lives right with God and enjoy its results only if you do the hard work of getting along with each other, treating each other with dignity and honor.
It’s not easy to live like this in the pervasive and militant Christianity that characterizes so much of American Christianity these days. Those who take a stand for God’s kingdoms and God’s ways will inevitably be persecuted by both Christians and non-Christians. But it’s worth it.
Don’t compromise your faith in Christ and his kingdom by giving in to a brand of Christianity that makes a mockery of everything our Lord stands for. Again, it won’t be easy, but the deep peace that floods your soul will be worth it.
In Christ,
Dan
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