Theme: Re-discovering my identity.
Divisions everywhere! If there are no natural divisions, we create ones. In this world, we divide and categorize by every means possible: color, birthplace, language, job, gender, height, weight, mental acuity, education, economic status, diet, interests, sports, political parties, opinions, and on and on ad infinitum. Why?
The answer lies in whose image we are created, for what purpose, and the lie that corrupts both. Please understand that this is my opinion and not to be taken as if God Himself gave me this reasoning. It is only one man's step from which you may find your way forward.
The fact is that God did create us in His image. He tells us that, and we can believe it. He also intended us to have dominion over the earth, including plants and animals. Now ask yourself, what was the temptation that Satan used to trap Adam and Eve? In Genesis 3:4-5, we have our answer. "You will not certainly die," the serpent said to the woman. "For God knows that when you eat from it, your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil." You will be like God! Because only creatures created in His image could believe themselves to be equal to Him.
Now we have "the fall," and humans, created in the very image of the Creator, having bought into the lie of Satan, now need to take our places on the thrones of our worlds as little gods. In our fallen states and finite minds, we need a means to justify our rule over the world we reign over, especially since, deep down, we know we are flawed. Thus, we look for and discover everything possible to raise us above and divide us from our fellow travelers.
That is not enough, however, as our nagging insecurities demand that we seek like-minded acolytes and categorize the minions into easily recognized groups to identify traits that add to our superiority. We form parties and clubs, societies, religions, and every means possible to separate, demean, isolate, and detract, all the while feeling more and more right, self-righteous, and like a god of our worlds. We forget that another group, party, or society has categorized us for the same purpose. Ultimately, this leads to wars, killings, hatred, isolation, fear, sadness, and all the ills that befall us. Yet, we cannot give it up because we cannot find our way back to our original purpose, only substituting who we were meant to be with a cheap counterfeit.
We can climb off the throne and live as God intended only by rediscovering the truth of who we are and why we were created. And what did He intend? Look at Romans 13:8-10, "Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law. The commandments, "You shall not commit adultery," "You shall not murder," "You shall not steal," "You shall not covet," and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: "Love your neighbor as yourself." Love does not harm a neighbor. Therefore, love is the fulfillment of the law."
Love does not divide, categorize, judge, puff up, demean, or take sides. Love does not leave room for political divisions or, for that matter, politics at all.
Finally, ask yourself, how big is your God? Romans 13:1 says, "Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. God has established the authorities that exist." Our God “has established”. Can His purpose be thwarted by whomever wins an election? If your answer is no, then vote your conscience, pray, and know that His Will shall be done. As Pastor Dan stated, we can have opinions, and those are between us and God. We should also vote, pay taxes, and live peaceably under the authority God has ordained. We are not, however, to enthrone ourselves and believe our opinion has any more weight than our brother and sister, and cause strife over something that is so temporary, and trivial in light of God’s omnipetance and our eternity in Christ. Those are things of the world in which we are now in but no longer of.
I don't know about you, but that dramatically relieves a burden from me. I can rest from being in charge.
Scripture: Ezekiel 28:6-10 (NIV)
“Therefore, this is what the Sovereign Lord says: “Because you think you are wise, as wise as a god, I am going to bring foreigners against you, the most ruthless of nations; they will draw their swords against your beauty and wisdom and pierce your shining splendor. They will bring you down to the pit, and you will die a violent death in the heart of the seas. Will you then say, “I am a god,” in the presence of those who kill you? You will be but a mortal, not a god, in the hands of those who slay you. You will die the death of the uncircumcised at the hands of foreigners. I have spoken, declares the Sovereign Lord.”
Prayer:
Lord, why do I think more highly of myself than I am? Why do I worry about what others think of me or the clothes I wear and the car I drive? Lord why are degrees and positions of employment so important to me? And why do I look for agreement in what I believe, and look down on those with different beliefs and opinions? Lord, break me, take off my blinders and let me see myself for who I am, not any less nor any greater. I am who I am only by your Grace and Love, and that is good enough for what you need me to do. Let me see others in that same light, without conditions. Amen
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