Blurred Lines, Pt. 2

This post is a continuation of a sermon about when it's ok to blur the lines and when it's not ok.  While it's ok to live in the grey areas regarding some things (GRIEF and PRESENTATION), sometimes it's important to have clear boundaries.  There are some things we should never blur the lines on.

1. DON'T blur the lines of FREEDOM –

Psalm 68:7-8 reminded the people that God was concerned about their freedom: ⁷ O God, when thou wentest forth before thy people, when thou didst march through the wilderness; Selah: ⁸ The earth shook, the heavens also dropped at the presence of God: even Sinai itself was moved at the presence of God, the God of Israel.

The psalm tells us that God went before the people as they marched and moved the mountain of Sinai.  This reminded me that this year is the 50th anniversary of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom.  At the march, it felt like God went before the people.  What is painfully clear is that things haven't changed as much as we'd like them to.  During the march, people held signs that read: “End the War” “End Poverty”, “End Segregated Rules in Public Schools”, “We Demand Voting Rights Now”.   Sadly, we can still hold up similar signs today.

We’ve got to be careful not to blur the lines of freedom. Good enough is not good enough.  All schoolchildren should have textbooks that were written since they were born.  All citizens should have the right to vote.  Everyone should have access to food and water.  Freedom doesn't mean unbinding the hands and then binding the ankle.  We’ve got to stop blurring the lines on what freedom is.

Jesus giving His tip - Get Out!
Matthew 21:11-12

When it comes to freedom, God sees right and wrong, not blurred lines. It is wrong to hold back food from the hungry. It is wrong to withhold clothing from the naked.   It is wrong to tip the scales toward the side of the rich.   Can I remind you of Jesus in the temple? 

Jesus notices that the weights of the scales are being manipulated so that those in charge are receiving more than their fair share. Jesus snaps and has a moment made for reality TV. He tosses tables and calls people bad names. Jesus doesn’t see a grey area. Jesus doesn’t wait for an explanation from the swindlers. Jesus doesn’t wait for a press release.  He only sees right and wrong. 


In Jesus, it is clear which side of the issue God is on.  There are no blurred lines of freedom.  Justice can't be furloughed.  The psalmist tells us God has come to provide for the poor (v. 10) and to move mountains.  I believe God wants us to be concerned about freedom.  I believe God has come to move the American Mt. Rushmore of racism, sexism, classism and militarism.  I believe God will go before us as we bravely march into the beloved community that awaits us.




Lord, You are great.  You have never blurred the lines of Your love for us.  Please let us never blur the ways in which we love one another.  Grant us the courage and wisdom to pursue justice, not because it is convenient, but because it is right.  We trust Your Spirit goes before us and moves stones that feel unmoveable.  In the liberating name of Jesus, Amen.



Encouraged,
j.a.g.

 

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Matthew 21:12-1312 And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves,
13 And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.

On The Shack

Recently, a good friend (our coming child’s Godmother) told me about a book she read, The Shack, by Wm. Paul Young. She said the book was a must read. She was so convincing in her description of it, that I ordered it and read it myself. The book was priced at $11.24 through Amazon.com, but what I have gained is invaluable.

As I opened the book and traveled the story, I was enraptured. The journey was so amazing, so powerful, so unbelievable, that there were parts of the book where I had to literally stop and reflect on the goodness of God (and at times change what I thought about God, confirming Isaiah 55:8, below). Since completing it, the messages have been seared into my conscience.

This month, I only want to recommend you go and get this book. Again, GET THIS BOOK. It will change the way you live your life, the way you value others, the way you deal with pain, the way you see religion, and display to you a God you never knew. Read it, internalize it, and share this freedom with others.

On the back of many books are quotes that others write to share a little about the book and encourage you to purchase it. Reading this, I came up with my own that I thought may be helpful. God bless you on this journey.

“It felt like I was introduced to God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit all over again for the first time.”

“It has changed how I view…everything.”

“A transformative text for anyone who has lost someone, questioned God, or felt oddly out of place in the current nature of religion.”

“Outside of the Bible, no other book has introduced me more to the character of God.”

“A must read.”

Lord, please open our eyes and hearts to see beyond what we see. Thank You for keeping prophets in the earth to share their revelations of You. Give us the imagination and innocence of children, to view the world as You do. Free us from the chains of rituals, religions, and rigidity. Give us an appreciation of Your love and forgiveness. I love You and thank You for being so good to each of us.



Speechless,

j.a.g.




Isaiah 55:8 - "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways," declares the LORD.