Inspired by Luke
11:14-28
“Whoever is not with
me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.” Luke 11:23
In these days of relativism, it is tempting to sit on the
sidelines and not take a stand for anything.
We don’t want to offend anyone, or minimize someone else’s beliefs or
opinions by coming out strongly for our own.
So we minimize the importance of our own truths while affirming everyone
else’s, and in the end we stand for nothing.
But standing up for what we believe in doesn’t necessarily minimize
someone else’s beliefs. Tolerance is a
worthy goal, but it means supporting someone else’s right to their own
opinion. It doesn’t mean having to give up your own for their sake. You respect their right to believe and
practice as they choose; you also have the right to expect the same tolerance
for your own beliefs and practices. And
if you don’t respect your own beliefs enough to stand up for them, why should
anyone else respect them?
Jesus came with a mission: to proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God.
He worked to demonstrate what that kingdom is like: a place where
justice and mercy reign hand in hand, where the poor and downtrodden are cared
for, and where all people are treated with dignity and grace, because all
people were created in the image of God.
He calls all Christians to stand with him in his mission, and to live
according to the values of the kingdom
of God. Standing on the sidelines means not
proclaiming the good news of the kingdom
of God, and standing on
the sidelines means not working against systems of injustice and
exploitation. Neutrality is not an
option; you stand with him or you stand against him.
Let us pray. God of
justice, you sent your Son to save all humanity from our sins. Help us to actively work to bring about your
kingdom, that all people may experience your grace and love. Through Christ our Lord, Amen.
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