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Defending Your Rights
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Matthew 27:12-14 When the leading priests and the older Jewish leaders made their accusations against Jesus, he said nothing. So Pilate said to him, “Don’t you hear all these charges they are making against you? Why don’t you answer?” But Jesus did not say anything, and this really surprised the governor.
Listen to the radio broadcast of Defending Your Rights
Download audio fileIf the rhetoric of Christians in the social media feeds that I monitor is any indication, then we, the church, have drifted a long, long … long way from biblical Christianity.
That may sound somewhat harsh and judgemental so let’s leave aside for a moment “the church” – you and I can’t change what happens at that level, only God can. Instead, let’s focus on us as individuals. On us, if you believe in Jesus, as His disciples.
How much time and energy do we spend defending our own rights? Speaking up against the legislation that’s being passed, or (as was the case over recent months where I live) the lockdowns being imposed. Compared, say, to Jesus speaking up for His rights, in defence of His innocence, before Pontius Pilot.
Matthew 27:13,14 When the leading priests and the older Jewish leaders made their accusations against Jesus, he said nothing. So Pilate said to him, “Don’t you hear all these charges they are making against you? Why don’t you answer?” But Jesus did not say anything, and this really surprised the governor.
Sure, Christians should be involved in public debate. But at what point is enough, enough? At what point do we step over that line from speaking up for what’s right, into this sense of tribalism, this passionate and let me say unbiblical desire for ‘team-Christian’ to beat ‘team-Secular’?
To put it bluntly, how motivated are we by our own self-interest? Because so far as I can see, this Jesus in whom we profess to believe, was far more interested in doing His Father’s will, than saving His own skin. He said nothing, in His own defence. And yet, because of His humility, His name is lifted up above every name. Don’t be too quick to defend yourself.
That’s God’s Word. Fresh … for you … today.
Comments
Elsie
Dankie dit verlig my dowwe gemoed om te weet dat ek soms net kan wegstap
Thank you it relieves my dull feeling to know that sometimes I can just walk away
Lois
I am glad to read this message from Berni. The more Christians spread around God’s love to those they meet, the more people will be interested in knowing what make us ‘tick’, and why we act the way we do. They may be drawn towards the one and only true God, and not repelled. There could be some past bad experience in a church that has put them off. The more we act as strident-sounding activists, the more their poor opinion of Christianity will be affirmed. We can fall into that judgmental mode right within our own congregations too. Feeling frustrated with apparent lack of commitment, or biblical illiteracy among our brothers and sisters sometimes leads to judgmental attitudes, instead of real love for the ‘imperfect saints’ around us. Let’s ask God to lead us to think, speak and act wisely, guided by his Holy Spirit.
Ropeti Faleatua
Very, very true. As believers through Jesus Christ, we feel so passionate to tell the truth, and what God has assigned us to do. This would urge us to claim and to protect our rights as such. However, as servants, not ‘owners’ of the work, though chosen, not fully qualified, and still dependent on the Spirit’s guidance, should have patience and delay in protecting our own rights just as Jesus did. There are other things besides why things do happen.
Thank you so much Berni for sharing this. Your brother in Christ.
Troy
In Ecclesiastes, there is a time to speak and a time to keep silent. We need to ask God to give us the wisdom to determine which route to take.