The Ball is In Our Court

How many of us have seen or heard people using Bible verses in recent conversations or social media posts? There are some being used a lot here lately: If my people will call on me then I will heal their land. Here's another: Don't judge or you will be judged. Then there is one that everyone wants to grab and hold to...God is love. As of late it seems I've been hearing those verses on a daily basis. This is what came to me in my morning devotion...God says, the ball is in our court.

You see, we often take just the parts of those verses we like and leave behind the rest. We would expect the world to do that but, as followers of Christ, we should be different. In order for our land to be healed God's people must turn from our wicked ways. Did you notice two important words...God's people? What about not judging? Of course, we are to always be working on our issues and allowing God to change us; however Jesus never told us not to try to help others work out their issues in the process. Jesus said to first get the big mess we've made turned over to Him, then work with other's in their same messes. Jesus Himself goes on to say for us (those who are truly allowing God to clean our mess up) not to "cast our pearls before swine". For someone who doesn't judge that sounds like a pretty strong statement, but if people refuse to listen we aren't called to push them to repentance. Let's take a long look at that "God is love" verse. John was writing to explain God's love and how we can judge (there's that word again) between what is good and what is evil. He is actually telling us that accepting God's love, His Son Jesus, is the only way we will be delivered from judgement. We must realize neither our good, our tolerance nor our love keeps us from hell...only our repentance. Once again, this applies to those in the church as well as those outside of it. God will never go against His word. Never.

As a Christian I fully believe God will do as He promises concerning His judgements as well as His blessings. This world is becoming a quagmire of selfishness and rebellion against God and His word. We are to be watchers on the wall, crying out when danger is coming. I have been added to the sum of others who cry out against sin and pronounce judgement on those who continue to practice it today. My question to others who call themselves "believers" is have we been practicing sin as well? Are we so set on vengeance that, like Jonah, we refuse to humble ourselves and do what God has commanded? Is the fear of rejection holding us back or is it the fear of being truly heard. Repentance brings more people, thus more opinions and "problems" that we may have to deal with. The Bible says to pray for my enemies, to bless and not curse them but have I been holding animosity in my heart toward those who have spoken cruel and harsh words against my faith? God instructs us to pray for our leaders and those who are in authority over us but how often have I done that with those leaders I didn't "vote in" or those who are unapologetically opposed to my beliefs?

The world has become increasingly hardened to the message of repentance. Perhaps they have seen that, as a church, we have excused those sins we see as "lesser" so our self-proclaimed apostles, prophets, preachers and bishops can continue in their positions. Have we overlooked or re-named sin so that we or our children won't feel the full impact of sinful choices? I fear we have turned a blind eye to, and in many cases given parties in celebration of, things that are blatantly against God's principals; then we stand back and wonder why the world calls us hypocrites! In the church we often judge our brother because he doesn't seem to be doing as much or working as hard for "God's Kingdom" as we are. We argue over a choice that causes division just because we have never felt the affects of it's offence. We choose to stand in opposition to change that will not effect eternity; but, our attitudes concerning that stance could very well effect someone's choice on where the outcome of their eternity will be. Of course sin will happen because we are human; however, we don't need to make excuses but rather admit those sins, repent and move forward. Like it or not, our western church culture has become the stench in God's nostrils that we so often blame on those "sinners" out there in the world. Check our shoes...it's us!

Encouragingly, I am seeing glimmers of promise through social media as of late. Many young people who have never set foot in a church are coming to Christ and being baptized in record numbers. There is work to be done teaching them about God and His love, mercy and justice. In order to do that God is calling us, His church, to repentance and confession as well. He is calling His people to restored fellowship. Only then can we truly teach others of who God is and what He calls His people to do. There is a shout for repentance ringing through our country this day that is directed towards us, God's people, first and foremost. Some of my friends may take offence to this post while others rule me out as crazy, eccentric or fanatical. That is not my hope, but neither is that my problem. This is what I hear today and this is what I must share.

We're down to the wire and the ball is in our court. What are we - what am I - going to do with it?

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