Christians Should Be Different (11-1-2020)

Christians should be different 11-1-20 Background for Scripture reading: Before I read today's scripture I need to remind you of a few things from the book of Daniel. The king of Babylon had deported the Jews from Jerusalem and had ordered four young men who were up to his standards in physical appearance and intelligence to go into training for three years. When they finished their training the king put them on his staff of advisors, responsible positions in his government. But then the king ordered all his people to bow down to an idol he had erected. And when everyone else had bowed down, the three of young Jewish men favored by the king, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, refused to bow down out of respect for and love of God. They obviously stood out to the king for they were still standing. Beginning Scripture: Daniel 3:19-20 Then Nebuchadnezzar was furious with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, and his attitude toward them changed. He ordered the furnace heated seven times hotter than usual and commanded some of the strongest soldiers in his army to tie up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and throw them into the blazing furnace. Human Nature When we do something that offends non-Christians or anyone for that matter, their attitude toward us often changes. One could argue that most humans are selfish, they are self-centered. In a way this is normal because, after all, each of us is responsible for taking care of ourselves to the extent that we are able. Don't parents teach their children responsibility, including how to care for themselves? And in Mark 12:21 Jesus tells us to love God with all our hearts, minds, and souls, but then he says: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' Isn't this verse telling us that we should love others, but we should love ourselves as we love a friend? His attitude changed And yet these verses from Daniel are focusing on the king and how "his attitude ...changed." He got angry with these young Jewish men because they refused to bow down to the towering golden idol he had gone to so much trouble and expense to erect. Again, we could argue that the king is just being human here because most humans are fundamentally selfish. But by not bowing down, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were confronting the king and his beliefs. In a sense they were correcting him. And most people don't like to be corrected, especially those with power and authority. But wasn't it a bit extreme for the king to order these young men whom he had favored to be thrown into a fiery furnace for not bowing down? As in so much of the Bible, God uses men's power and love of power as a contrast to the love they should have for him. How often we have been reminded in the Bible and in sermon after sermon that humans are a fallen species, flawed by their pride, turning away from the one true eternal God and turning in upon themselves, using their wills to become like gods! The verse says "the king's attitude changed." But as Christians we are supposed to be different. True? We should love those who offend us. Yes, let me repeat: we should LOVE those who offend us? But isn't that against our whole human nature? I think it is. My human nature tells me that it is ok to hate those who offend me, to say things and do things to get back at them for their offense. Revenge is a wonderful thing, my human nature tells me. Jesus is God But dear friends, look at Jesus. Don't you think his human nature was SCREAMING to him that revenge against these people who scourged, tortured, and crucified him was entirely justified? Have you, like me had thoughts or an impulse of revenge toward the Jews and Romans who inflicted agonizing, excruciating pain on our beloved savior and Lord? But there they are over 100 verses, most of them in the NEW Testament, telling us just the opposite if we are to follow this Jesus guy. Here are just a few examples: * Luke 6:27-32 "But I say to you who are listening, love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who are cruel to you. If anyone slaps you on one cheek, offer him the other cheek, too. If someone takes your coat, do not stop him from taking your shirt. * Matthew 5:44-45 "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your friends, hate your enemies.' But now I tell you: love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may become the children of your Father in heaven. * From Romans 12:14-21 Wish only good for those who treat you badly. Ask God to bless them, not curse them. ...If someone does you wrong, don't try to pay them back by hurting them. ...Do the best you can to live in peace with everyone. My friends, don't try to punish anyone who does wrong to you. Christians should be different The Life Application Bible, comments on this verse, Daniel 3:19, that describes how the king changed his attitude upon seeing those three young Jewish men, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who stood up to the king for their belief. But listen to what the Life Application Bible says: "Christians should be different, they should LOVE those who offend them." You know, in the polarized and divided political atmosphere in our society in which we are so often tempted to join Nebuchadnezzar who changed his attitude toward those who had offended him and refused to bow down to him. We are tempted to allow our human nature, our pride, to bubble to the surface in the form of a red face of anger. These days, it occurs to me that this statement: "Christians should be different, they should LOVE those who offend them." is exactly what we sorely need. At least, it is exactly what I need. It is the antidote to my self-righteousness and puffed up attitude toward people who speak words that are so offensive to me, that attack my values and opinions. Questions and Challenges * Describe some instances in which your anger has risen to the surface, in which you "changed your attitude" toward someone because they offended you with their statements. * How difficult do you find it to love your enemy? Give some examples. * Do you believe that Christians should be different? How difficult is this for you? * The next time you are about to allow your impulse to become angry toward those who offend you with their opinions or statements, think of Jesus and how he acted toward those who persecuted him. Prayer Jesus, we love you. We want to be like you. We want to do what you told us: to love our enemies, but sometimes it is so difficult. Lord, please send down into our souls the protection and light of your grace. Help us dear Jesus to realize when we are allowing our fallen and weak human nature to get the best of us and to remember you at those times. Thank you for your love, for your gentleness, for showing us the true nature of God in your short time on Earth. We pray these things in your name, Jesus our precious savior. Amen.