This is the message (unedited) I delivered at the Shipai Friendship Presbyterian Church in Taipei, Taiwan, this Sunday (06 Apr 2014).
HOW SHOULD CHRISTIANS RELATE TO OTHERS?
Luke 6:27-31
One afternoon, a friend asked me, “You don’t look happy today?” He was right. I was not happy that day because I had a quarrel with my wife that morning. (We are OK now.) What determines the state of our emotion – happiness, sadness, anger, etc.? For me, more than anything else, it’s relationship.
Our God is a god of relationship. He wants to have a good relationship with us. In order to restore his relationship with humankind that have been broken because of the Fall, he sent his son to the world. In and through Jesus, we are reconciled to God again.
Christian ministry and mission today is none other than the ministry and mission of relationship. It aims to bring people to a relationship with God, which will result in good and loving relationship with others.
What is the purpose of forming and coming together as a church? We join a church so that we may have a relationship with God and relationship with others. Question: Do we have a good relationship with fellow church members, with fellow leadership team, with those outside the church?
The state of our relationship with God is often demonstrated by the nature and state of our relationship with fellow human beings. In other words, if one has a good relationship with God, one will have a good relationship with fellow humans. Conversely, if one does not have a good relationship with fellow human beings, fellow believers, colleagues, coworkers, relatives, neighbors, husband/wife, parents/children, etc., this shows that his or her relationship with God is not up to the mark.
Luke 6:27-31 tells us how Christians should relate to different kinds of people: our enemies, those who hate us, those who curse us, those who mistreat us, those who insult us, those who violate our rights, those who ask our helps and those who take advantage on us. This passage comes immediately after the beatitude, blessedness. This means that those who are blessed are those who live out this type of relationship. Conversely, those who practice this type of relationship will bring blessings.
Luke 6:27-31:
27But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 29If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. 30Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. 31Do to others as you would have them do to you.
1. Our enemies, we are to love them (v.27a)
As Christians, we are not supposed to have enemies. But if others chose to be our enemies, then the Bible tells us that we must still love them. Those who oppose us for anything and everything are a kind of our enemies today. And the “enemy” here can be far, near or even at home, church, church leadership team, seminary and mission organization.
It’s good that the Bible does not command us to like our enemies. We may not like them, but we can still love them with the love of God, the agape love. Actually, fighting is more difficult than loving. If the Bible tells us, in order to go to heaven, you must fight at least one person a day, many of us may not be able to go to heaven. Let us thank God that he asks us to do the easier and better one than to fight, that is, to love.
If we do not cultivate love, even husband and wife can even become enemies. Christian marriage is not only because of love, but more so to love, to love with the agape love, that is, a will and a commitment to love till the end. It is said that a man was attracted to a woman by the latter’s singing talents – a very good singer. After some years, one morning, the man suddenly felt that he does not love this woman anymore. He did not know what to do. He then asked his wife, Honey, can you please sing? We wonder how long and how many times this woman had to sing in order make her husband happy.
Physical appearance attractiveness, quality based attractiveness and attractiveness because of a fat bank account will one day disappear. But if husband and wife resolved to love each other by the agape love, it will last till the end. In order to maintain and restore good relationship between husband and wife, Jesus needs to be in the middle.
Stanton was a fierce opponent of Abraham Lincoln during presidential election campaign. Stanton even attached Lincoln’s person, physical appearance. Lincoln won election. As he formed his cabinet, he wanted to give the all-important Secretary of War position to Mr Stanton. That time the United States was rocked by civil war between the North and the South. The North and Lincoln wanted to abolish slavery. The South objected. Lincoln’s advisors advised him against the appointment of Stanton saying he was his enemy during election campaign. Lincoln stood his ground saying that Stanton is the one whom he believed to deliver during the critical period the nation is going through. Stanton offered his unstinting loyalty to the nation and his President. At Lincoln’s funeral, Stanton said, “This is the greatest man every lived on this planet.” Love and trust transcends hatred and restore people to dignity.
2. Those who hate us, we are to do good to them (v.27b)
Human tendency is to retaliate or to ignore those who hate us. There can be many reasons why people hate us. Some of these hatreds may be unwarranted. Because of our faith and our principles, people can also hate us. Many first generation Christians endured family hatred because of their faith.
Regardless of whatsoever reason, Jesus commands us to wish well and do good things to those who hate us. It’s a proactive initiative on our part. For example, if I am not in a talking term with a colleague for some reason, I should not just wait and expect him to come to me and say sorry. I should not be ready to forgive only if he or she asks forgiveness. I should rather be the one who initiates to go to that brother, sister, colleague. If we can do that, love will overcome hatred.
3. Those who curse us, we are to bless them (v.28a)
We may not come across people pronouncing a verbal curse on us today. Those who curse us today are those who plan our downfall. Those who do not wish us well. Gossiping, slandering and backbiting, etc., could also be in a way regarded as the modern day “curse.” Unfortunately, many churches today are not free from gossiping, especially leaders gossiping against each other, members gossiping against their leaders, so on and so forth.
If you want to know who is a good friend, try this. Even if he or she is not jumping with joy when you had success, if he can at least tolerate, he or she is your good friend. Sometimes, this tolerance is lacking even in the church.
When people plan our downfall, gossip against us and jealous of our success, our Lord commands us not to retaliate, but to bless them, to wish them well. When we do that, their curse will turn into a blessing both for us and for them.
4. Those who mistreat us, we are to pray for them (V.28b)
To receive mistreatment is so painful. We know that we do not deserve this. Mistreatment by superiors; mistreat by employers, especially domestic helpers; mistreatment by spouse are some of the areas of mistreatment people are receiving today. Somebody said, if you want to know who is a good Christian, go and ask his subordinate (staff), spouse or domestic helper.
Yes, it is difficult to pray for those who mistreat us? But, it is better and more rewarding to tell God our pains, hurts and feeling than telling people when we feel that we have been treated very badly. The prayer of a righteous man and woman is powerful. When believers pray, God will answer our prayers and this will bring healing both to us and to those who mistreat us. And who knows, we may even become friends afterward.
5. Those who insult us, we are not to react to them (v.29a)
Here, the verse says to turn the other cheek when someone strikes our one cheek. Matthew has it to turn our left cheek when people trike our right cheek. To strike someone’s right cheek, one has to strike either with the back of the palm or with the left hand. Striking one’s cheek was a great insult in the ancient Jewish culture. It’s not the pain what matters. It was the insult that hurts. And striking someone’s cheek with the back of the palm or with left hand was a double insult.
Today, insult can come in many forms and disguises. Gender, racial, ethnic and regional stereotyping as well as certain kinds of comments and jokes constitute some forms of insult. The hurt here is not physical pain per se, but more so the pain of insult. Physical pain will heal sooner or later. But pain of insult will linger, more so if it is a public insult. Jesus tells us to ignore and let it go when people insult us. Those who insult or look down at others usually are those who are not mature, if not fools. It is not worth to react to those who are not mature. If we do that, we will be like them only.
6. Those who violate our rights, when our rights are violated, we are not to claim our rights all the time and for everything (v.29b)
Verse 29b says, “If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunics.” Tunic was an undergarment and cloak a loose outer garment used by ancient Israelites. A poor Israelite man might have only one cloak. His cloak might also be the only cover for the whole family during the right. Therefore, the law prohibits taking cloak as a bond, mortgage or down payment by the one who sues. Taking one’s cloak will mean a violation of one’s right.
Yes, the law must protect the rights of everyone, especially the poor, the needy, the widow, and the alien. If so, why then Jesus is telling us not to claim our rights? The teaching of not claiming our right here is more concerned with individual Christian life. As believers, we are not supposed to claim our rights everywhere and for everything. In some places and for some cases, we better let go our rights. Instead of claiming our rights all the time, we are rather to serve. It’s difficult. But this is what Jesus commands us to do.
Matthew puts it to go a second mile if someone forced us to go for a mile. It’s a military occupation language. If a soldier forced you to potter for him for one mile, go with him for a second mile. By so doing, we can perhaps, perhaps, win the heart of those who violate our rights.
7. Those who ask, that is, those who are needy, we are to help them (v.30a)
People who ask in this verse are those who are in need. They are the poor and needy of the society. As Christians, we are to help the needy. One must be also careful. There are professional askers and cheaters today. We need to pray to God for wisdom to know when to give and when not to give. That said, it is better to err in doing positive things (giving) than doing negative thing (not giving).
8. Those take advantage on us; we are to let go our losses (v.30b)
Verse 30b says, “If anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back.” This talks about people taking clothes and things from relatives, friends and neighbors without asking. This culture is still practiced today in many places. In other cases, the mightier take advantage on the weaker and forcefully take away the latter’s cattle, farms, land, etc. Or someone taking a position, which we think rightfully belongs to us, or a business partner taking advantage on us, will fall into this category.
Either way, instead of lamenting over the loss of our clothes, things and positions, as Christians, we better let it go and bless those who took advantage on us and have taken these things from us.
Verse 31 is a concluding summary. It is the golden rule: We must do to others what we would have them do to us. Because we may make mistakes one day. We could also become poor and needy one day. We could also be accused as perpetrators of injustice.
The bottom line is, we must not retaliate or overreact. In Romans 12:17-18, the Apostle Paul encourages us not to repay evil for evil. Even if others chose to go against us, on our part, we must chose to live at peace with everyone.
The lingering question, then, is, we know that, as Christians, we must follow these teachings and live accordingly. But we fail many a time. What must be the reason? How can we do it? Can we really do it?
There are several reasons why we fail again and again. The following are some of them:
1. We have not dealt with the influence of our family upbringing culture
Those who are brought up in broken families would find difficult to love, to forgive or to trust. In order to survive or have their way, they must fight back. We also copy our parents’ way of life.
2. Many a time, we allowed ourselves to be influenced by secular worldview and culture instead of being influenced by Christian worldview and culture
Secular worldviews of individualism, materialism, competiveness, etc. are unfortunately entering into church life. For example, difference between church leadership and secular leadership is, the former is servant leadership and the latter secular master and competitive leadership. Unfortunately, secular worldview of leadership is influencing many churches today. Super market mentality of picking what we want out of many choices is also killing Christian relationship. We resort, even if this person does not talk to me, who cares; I have other friends and colleagues. Compartmentalization is another secular worldview that influences us. If I am doing well in one area, I do not need to do well in other areas. In other words, if I am a good teacher, preacher or administrator, I do not need to border so much whether or not I have a good relationship with my colleagues, students, church members, wife/husband or neighbor, etc. Christian life cannot be compartmentalized. It must be lived out in whole.
3. We allow our sinful nature to become alive again and again
Even Saint Paul himself in Romans 7:18 says, “I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.” Many times, our sinful nature becomes stronger than our spiritual nature. Humans are naturally proud. Many of us, even after we have become Christians, we have not dealt with our pride.
If then, can we really do it? How can we overcome our broken family upbringing, influence of secular worldviews and our sinful nature and demonstrate the types of relationship Jesus prescribes for Christians?
Yes, we can, but not by our might, but by the power of God. 2 Corinthians 5:14-15 says: “For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.”
We cannot do it by our own strength no matter how hard we try. Only if the love of Christ compels us to do it, then we will succeed. In order for the love of God to compel us, we need to die to our broken family backgrounds, intentionally deal with secular worldviews that many a time influences us knowingly or unknowingly, and to die to our sinful nature, and die constantly.
According to Romans 12:1-2, we need to offer ourselves to God daily as a living sacrifice. Actually to live for God (living sacrifice) is more difficult than dying for God (dead sacrifice, like animal sacrifice in the Old Testament. Dying for God is a one-time event, but living for God is a lifelong process, as long as we live in this world. Yes, some Christians will be dead martyrs for the Lord. But God wants most Christians to be his living martyrs. In order to do this, we must not conform to the pattern of the world, but being transformed by the renewing of our mind.
According to John 15:1-17, in order to be able to do God’s will and thus become fruitful Christians, we need to constantly abide in him. We need to come back to the Cross again and again so that we can demonstrate the type of relationship proscribed by our Lord.
Only by constantly abiding in God, offering ourselves to God daily as living sacrifices, dying to our sinful nature again and again, we will be able to love our enemies; do good to those who hate us; bless those who curse us; pray for those who mistreat us; let go insults, violation of our rights and loss of positions and possessions. When we do this, God will be on our side.
When I was in Ghana teaching at a theological college, the Principal disagreed with me and blamed me publicly concerning the distribution of overseas scholarship to students. I overreacted. I could not sleep that night, not because of the rebuke I received, but because of my overreaction. The next day we had a faculty seminar. Principal and I could not greet each other warmly as we used to do. In other words, we were not in talking terms anymore. That was painful. The Holy Spirit prompted me to make public apology to the Principal because my disrespectful overreaction was done in public. I made public apology to the Principal. That night I was able to sleep well.
So, we want to be happy, we better intentionally cultivate good relationship – right and good relationship with God and men. We need to maintain relationship and amend broken relationship. The best and most precious legacy we leave for our children, church members, neighbors, colleagues, students and fellow human beings is the legacy of relationship. People will soon forget our teachings and preaching, but they will remember our lives, our godly life and our relationship with them and others. Right or wrong are relative terms. In our Christian life, sometimes right is wrong and wrong right. How? We should not stick so much to who is right and who is wrong at the expenses of maintaining and restoring relationship. In order to maintain and restore relationship, we may need to be “wrong” sometimes.
Those days, to say “sorry” was regarded as cowardly and weakness. But in Christian life, those who can say the two words, “I’m sorry” are strongest and bravest people. Sickness, lace of money and even persecution will not make the church and mission weak. But disunity and broken relationship, especially among leaders, can make the church and mission weak, even destroyed. Satan knows this strategy very well and uses it generously. We must not give room for Satan.
Let us examine ourselves. Do I have anyone whom I am not in talking terms? Do I have anyone whom I cannot pray for? Am I intentionally and proactively working towards maintaining and restoring good Christian relationship? If we are true Christians, we are to maintain good Christian relationship. We must restore broken relationship.
May the Lord help us!
HOW SHOULD CHRISTIANS RELATE TO OTHERS?
Luke 6:27-31
 |
| (For illustration only) |
Our God is a god of relationship. He wants to have a good relationship with us. In order to restore his relationship with humankind that have been broken because of the Fall, he sent his son to the world. In and through Jesus, we are reconciled to God again.
Christian ministry and mission today is none other than the ministry and mission of relationship. It aims to bring people to a relationship with God, which will result in good and loving relationship with others.
What is the purpose of forming and coming together as a church? We join a church so that we may have a relationship with God and relationship with others. Question: Do we have a good relationship with fellow church members, with fellow leadership team, with those outside the church?
The state of our relationship with God is often demonstrated by the nature and state of our relationship with fellow human beings. In other words, if one has a good relationship with God, one will have a good relationship with fellow humans. Conversely, if one does not have a good relationship with fellow human beings, fellow believers, colleagues, coworkers, relatives, neighbors, husband/wife, parents/children, etc., this shows that his or her relationship with God is not up to the mark.
Luke 6:27-31 tells us how Christians should relate to different kinds of people: our enemies, those who hate us, those who curse us, those who mistreat us, those who insult us, those who violate our rights, those who ask our helps and those who take advantage on us. This passage comes immediately after the beatitude, blessedness. This means that those who are blessed are those who live out this type of relationship. Conversely, those who practice this type of relationship will bring blessings.
Luke 6:27-31:
27But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 29If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. 30Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. 31Do to others as you would have them do to you.
1. Our enemies, we are to love them (v.27a)
As Christians, we are not supposed to have enemies. But if others chose to be our enemies, then the Bible tells us that we must still love them. Those who oppose us for anything and everything are a kind of our enemies today. And the “enemy” here can be far, near or even at home, church, church leadership team, seminary and mission organization.
It’s good that the Bible does not command us to like our enemies. We may not like them, but we can still love them with the love of God, the agape love. Actually, fighting is more difficult than loving. If the Bible tells us, in order to go to heaven, you must fight at least one person a day, many of us may not be able to go to heaven. Let us thank God that he asks us to do the easier and better one than to fight, that is, to love.
If we do not cultivate love, even husband and wife can even become enemies. Christian marriage is not only because of love, but more so to love, to love with the agape love, that is, a will and a commitment to love till the end. It is said that a man was attracted to a woman by the latter’s singing talents – a very good singer. After some years, one morning, the man suddenly felt that he does not love this woman anymore. He did not know what to do. He then asked his wife, Honey, can you please sing? We wonder how long and how many times this woman had to sing in order make her husband happy.
Physical appearance attractiveness, quality based attractiveness and attractiveness because of a fat bank account will one day disappear. But if husband and wife resolved to love each other by the agape love, it will last till the end. In order to maintain and restore good relationship between husband and wife, Jesus needs to be in the middle.
Stanton was a fierce opponent of Abraham Lincoln during presidential election campaign. Stanton even attached Lincoln’s person, physical appearance. Lincoln won election. As he formed his cabinet, he wanted to give the all-important Secretary of War position to Mr Stanton. That time the United States was rocked by civil war between the North and the South. The North and Lincoln wanted to abolish slavery. The South objected. Lincoln’s advisors advised him against the appointment of Stanton saying he was his enemy during election campaign. Lincoln stood his ground saying that Stanton is the one whom he believed to deliver during the critical period the nation is going through. Stanton offered his unstinting loyalty to the nation and his President. At Lincoln’s funeral, Stanton said, “This is the greatest man every lived on this planet.” Love and trust transcends hatred and restore people to dignity.
2. Those who hate us, we are to do good to them (v.27b)
Human tendency is to retaliate or to ignore those who hate us. There can be many reasons why people hate us. Some of these hatreds may be unwarranted. Because of our faith and our principles, people can also hate us. Many first generation Christians endured family hatred because of their faith.
Regardless of whatsoever reason, Jesus commands us to wish well and do good things to those who hate us. It’s a proactive initiative on our part. For example, if I am not in a talking term with a colleague for some reason, I should not just wait and expect him to come to me and say sorry. I should not be ready to forgive only if he or she asks forgiveness. I should rather be the one who initiates to go to that brother, sister, colleague. If we can do that, love will overcome hatred.
3. Those who curse us, we are to bless them (v.28a)
We may not come across people pronouncing a verbal curse on us today. Those who curse us today are those who plan our downfall. Those who do not wish us well. Gossiping, slandering and backbiting, etc., could also be in a way regarded as the modern day “curse.” Unfortunately, many churches today are not free from gossiping, especially leaders gossiping against each other, members gossiping against their leaders, so on and so forth.
If you want to know who is a good friend, try this. Even if he or she is not jumping with joy when you had success, if he can at least tolerate, he or she is your good friend. Sometimes, this tolerance is lacking even in the church.
When people plan our downfall, gossip against us and jealous of our success, our Lord commands us not to retaliate, but to bless them, to wish them well. When we do that, their curse will turn into a blessing both for us and for them.
4. Those who mistreat us, we are to pray for them (V.28b)
To receive mistreatment is so painful. We know that we do not deserve this. Mistreatment by superiors; mistreat by employers, especially domestic helpers; mistreatment by spouse are some of the areas of mistreatment people are receiving today. Somebody said, if you want to know who is a good Christian, go and ask his subordinate (staff), spouse or domestic helper.
Yes, it is difficult to pray for those who mistreat us? But, it is better and more rewarding to tell God our pains, hurts and feeling than telling people when we feel that we have been treated very badly. The prayer of a righteous man and woman is powerful. When believers pray, God will answer our prayers and this will bring healing both to us and to those who mistreat us. And who knows, we may even become friends afterward.
5. Those who insult us, we are not to react to them (v.29a)
Here, the verse says to turn the other cheek when someone strikes our one cheek. Matthew has it to turn our left cheek when people trike our right cheek. To strike someone’s right cheek, one has to strike either with the back of the palm or with the left hand. Striking one’s cheek was a great insult in the ancient Jewish culture. It’s not the pain what matters. It was the insult that hurts. And striking someone’s cheek with the back of the palm or with left hand was a double insult.
Today, insult can come in many forms and disguises. Gender, racial, ethnic and regional stereotyping as well as certain kinds of comments and jokes constitute some forms of insult. The hurt here is not physical pain per se, but more so the pain of insult. Physical pain will heal sooner or later. But pain of insult will linger, more so if it is a public insult. Jesus tells us to ignore and let it go when people insult us. Those who insult or look down at others usually are those who are not mature, if not fools. It is not worth to react to those who are not mature. If we do that, we will be like them only.
6. Those who violate our rights, when our rights are violated, we are not to claim our rights all the time and for everything (v.29b)
Verse 29b says, “If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunics.” Tunic was an undergarment and cloak a loose outer garment used by ancient Israelites. A poor Israelite man might have only one cloak. His cloak might also be the only cover for the whole family during the right. Therefore, the law prohibits taking cloak as a bond, mortgage or down payment by the one who sues. Taking one’s cloak will mean a violation of one’s right.
Yes, the law must protect the rights of everyone, especially the poor, the needy, the widow, and the alien. If so, why then Jesus is telling us not to claim our rights? The teaching of not claiming our right here is more concerned with individual Christian life. As believers, we are not supposed to claim our rights everywhere and for everything. In some places and for some cases, we better let go our rights. Instead of claiming our rights all the time, we are rather to serve. It’s difficult. But this is what Jesus commands us to do.
Matthew puts it to go a second mile if someone forced us to go for a mile. It’s a military occupation language. If a soldier forced you to potter for him for one mile, go with him for a second mile. By so doing, we can perhaps, perhaps, win the heart of those who violate our rights.
7. Those who ask, that is, those who are needy, we are to help them (v.30a)
People who ask in this verse are those who are in need. They are the poor and needy of the society. As Christians, we are to help the needy. One must be also careful. There are professional askers and cheaters today. We need to pray to God for wisdom to know when to give and when not to give. That said, it is better to err in doing positive things (giving) than doing negative thing (not giving).
8. Those take advantage on us; we are to let go our losses (v.30b)
Verse 30b says, “If anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back.” This talks about people taking clothes and things from relatives, friends and neighbors without asking. This culture is still practiced today in many places. In other cases, the mightier take advantage on the weaker and forcefully take away the latter’s cattle, farms, land, etc. Or someone taking a position, which we think rightfully belongs to us, or a business partner taking advantage on us, will fall into this category.
Either way, instead of lamenting over the loss of our clothes, things and positions, as Christians, we better let it go and bless those who took advantage on us and have taken these things from us.
Verse 31 is a concluding summary. It is the golden rule: We must do to others what we would have them do to us. Because we may make mistakes one day. We could also become poor and needy one day. We could also be accused as perpetrators of injustice.
The bottom line is, we must not retaliate or overreact. In Romans 12:17-18, the Apostle Paul encourages us not to repay evil for evil. Even if others chose to go against us, on our part, we must chose to live at peace with everyone.
The lingering question, then, is, we know that, as Christians, we must follow these teachings and live accordingly. But we fail many a time. What must be the reason? How can we do it? Can we really do it?
There are several reasons why we fail again and again. The following are some of them:
1. We have not dealt with the influence of our family upbringing culture
Those who are brought up in broken families would find difficult to love, to forgive or to trust. In order to survive or have their way, they must fight back. We also copy our parents’ way of life.
2. Many a time, we allowed ourselves to be influenced by secular worldview and culture instead of being influenced by Christian worldview and culture
Secular worldviews of individualism, materialism, competiveness, etc. are unfortunately entering into church life. For example, difference between church leadership and secular leadership is, the former is servant leadership and the latter secular master and competitive leadership. Unfortunately, secular worldview of leadership is influencing many churches today. Super market mentality of picking what we want out of many choices is also killing Christian relationship. We resort, even if this person does not talk to me, who cares; I have other friends and colleagues. Compartmentalization is another secular worldview that influences us. If I am doing well in one area, I do not need to do well in other areas. In other words, if I am a good teacher, preacher or administrator, I do not need to border so much whether or not I have a good relationship with my colleagues, students, church members, wife/husband or neighbor, etc. Christian life cannot be compartmentalized. It must be lived out in whole.
3. We allow our sinful nature to become alive again and again
Even Saint Paul himself in Romans 7:18 says, “I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.” Many times, our sinful nature becomes stronger than our spiritual nature. Humans are naturally proud. Many of us, even after we have become Christians, we have not dealt with our pride.
If then, can we really do it? How can we overcome our broken family upbringing, influence of secular worldviews and our sinful nature and demonstrate the types of relationship Jesus prescribes for Christians?
Yes, we can, but not by our might, but by the power of God. 2 Corinthians 5:14-15 says: “For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.”
We cannot do it by our own strength no matter how hard we try. Only if the love of Christ compels us to do it, then we will succeed. In order for the love of God to compel us, we need to die to our broken family backgrounds, intentionally deal with secular worldviews that many a time influences us knowingly or unknowingly, and to die to our sinful nature, and die constantly.
According to Romans 12:1-2, we need to offer ourselves to God daily as a living sacrifice. Actually to live for God (living sacrifice) is more difficult than dying for God (dead sacrifice, like animal sacrifice in the Old Testament. Dying for God is a one-time event, but living for God is a lifelong process, as long as we live in this world. Yes, some Christians will be dead martyrs for the Lord. But God wants most Christians to be his living martyrs. In order to do this, we must not conform to the pattern of the world, but being transformed by the renewing of our mind.
According to John 15:1-17, in order to be able to do God’s will and thus become fruitful Christians, we need to constantly abide in him. We need to come back to the Cross again and again so that we can demonstrate the type of relationship proscribed by our Lord.
Only by constantly abiding in God, offering ourselves to God daily as living sacrifices, dying to our sinful nature again and again, we will be able to love our enemies; do good to those who hate us; bless those who curse us; pray for those who mistreat us; let go insults, violation of our rights and loss of positions and possessions. When we do this, God will be on our side.
When I was in Ghana teaching at a theological college, the Principal disagreed with me and blamed me publicly concerning the distribution of overseas scholarship to students. I overreacted. I could not sleep that night, not because of the rebuke I received, but because of my overreaction. The next day we had a faculty seminar. Principal and I could not greet each other warmly as we used to do. In other words, we were not in talking terms anymore. That was painful. The Holy Spirit prompted me to make public apology to the Principal because my disrespectful overreaction was done in public. I made public apology to the Principal. That night I was able to sleep well.
So, we want to be happy, we better intentionally cultivate good relationship – right and good relationship with God and men. We need to maintain relationship and amend broken relationship. The best and most precious legacy we leave for our children, church members, neighbors, colleagues, students and fellow human beings is the legacy of relationship. People will soon forget our teachings and preaching, but they will remember our lives, our godly life and our relationship with them and others. Right or wrong are relative terms. In our Christian life, sometimes right is wrong and wrong right. How? We should not stick so much to who is right and who is wrong at the expenses of maintaining and restoring relationship. In order to maintain and restore relationship, we may need to be “wrong” sometimes.
Those days, to say “sorry” was regarded as cowardly and weakness. But in Christian life, those who can say the two words, “I’m sorry” are strongest and bravest people. Sickness, lace of money and even persecution will not make the church and mission weak. But disunity and broken relationship, especially among leaders, can make the church and mission weak, even destroyed. Satan knows this strategy very well and uses it generously. We must not give room for Satan.
Let us examine ourselves. Do I have anyone whom I am not in talking terms? Do I have anyone whom I cannot pray for? Am I intentionally and proactively working towards maintaining and restoring good Christian relationship? If we are true Christians, we are to maintain good Christian relationship. We must restore broken relationship.
May the Lord help us!
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