Dear Trekker,
Recently the reported words of Mahatma Gandhi came to mind: “I like your Christ. I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.”
Is this a fair assessment of you trekker… of me? I hope not. But, I fear our representation of Him often can be repugnant to those not yet “in Christ”. I believe it is so easy to turn people away from the Lifegiver instead of turning them to the ‘friend of sinners”. We repel, instead of attract. The “fragrance of the knowledge of him” which Paul the Apostle spoke of to the Corinthian Christians, can become the body odor of an obnoxious, over-bearing believer! So sad.
All this cascaded down upon me when reading recently (again) of the death Christopher Hitchens who died a few months ago from a most pitiable death, esophageal cancer. I hope you quickly recognize the name of perhaps the most celebrated atheist of our times. Yet, he was an amazing man, a choice recipient of God’s natural grace who, sadly, could never acknowledge the God who had gifted him so abundantly. “Greatest living essayist”… “finest orator of our time”… “an amazing mixture of writer, journalist, and polemicist”… these are but some of the epithets which were laid upon him in death. Yet there were others cheering in some quarters because he had died! In one of his last blogs, Hitchens himself quotes a supposedly gleeful Christian blogger: “Is it just coincidence that out of any part of his body, Christopher Hitchens got cancer in the one part he used for blasphemy? Yeah, keep believing that, Atheists. He’s going to writhe in agony and pain and wither away to nothing and then die a horrible agonizing death and THEN comes the real fun when he’s sent to HELL FIRE forever to be tortured and set afire.”
Trekker, such bitterness makes me cringe! What rancorous, odious words! So unlike Christ! Judgmental, vindictive, so opposite the love available to all in this age of grace. Is there “wrath to come” as Paul reminds the Thessalonians in his letter to them? Realistically, there is. And we have no assurance all will be saved from it. Quite the opposite, according to Scripture! But today is the time of salvation! We must shout it from the roof tops as we “speak truth in love.” “Vengeance is mine” the Lord reminds us. Why then do some gloat and cheer when anyone passes on, likely eternally separated from the presence of Christ?
Around our home, we are quite conscious of Paul’s admonition to the Christians in Ephesus: “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up, according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage, and anger, brawling and slander along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other just as in Christ God forgave you.” (Italics mine.) Ephesians 4:29-32.
Not only is it how we respond to atheists…I am reminded that in these next few weeks, there will be a great separation within the American public. There will be “winners and losers” depending upon which candidate or party prevails in the November election. We are called to not grieve the Holy Spirit of God in the inspired words of Paul. I believe we grieve the Spirit of God when our gloating, our incriminations, our bombasity, and our ruthlessness in triumph turns others off, not on. Christians, in this and all elections regardless of who wins, have much more to lose if we are not careful to be magnanimous in victory and still confident because of Him, if in “defeat”. There is no defeat for the believing heart, trekker. Life is only a matter of faithfulness and His timing. If we do not live as faithful, trusting, expectant believers in His ultimate grace and peace, we will grieve the heart of God… always.
Unfortunately there will be much “brawling and slander” in the next few weeks. Has it not already begun? Trekker, have no part of it. If we do not agree with a candidate, we need not be disagreeable in the process. How can we “hate” people or candidates? We often are led differently on issues; why do we need to verbally assassinate those candidates with whom we disagree? Is this the “fragrance of Christ?” We are called to rappel off “MountZion” daily to many wondering if they can too…not repel their hopes and dreams and legitimate searches.
A distinguishing characteristic of the “believer in Christ” is his or her capacity to forgive others as he or she has been forgiven. Oh, if we could allow the “forgiveness quotient” to shine through our heart and minds, add fragrance and attraction to our words, and guide our thoughts! Wouldn’t it be amazing if “political correctness” gave way to “forgiveness correctness” as a way of life?” Trekker, such massive change always begins with the power of “one”! Maybe that is why the Rabbi spoke so much about forgiveness. It has enormous power to heal, restore, and bring one to robust, total health of body and soul.
Returning to Hitchens… when he died, his friend, Francis Collins, director of the National Institutes of Health, the creator of the human genome project, and a believer in Christ, (I personally have heard his testimony to his faith in Christ alone) spoke these words: “I will miss Christopher. I will miss the brilliant turn of phrase, the good-natured banter. The wry sideways smile when he was about to make a remark makes me laugh out loud.” Collins went on to say that “his knowledge of world religions was truly impressive… he had a much more detailed grasp of the Christian Bible than most Christians do.” It was reported that Collins, a close friend of Hitchens, personally oversaw Hitchens cancer treatment up to the very end. I can’t help but think that Collins lived with Hitchens his own “good Samaritan adventure”. What an example!
Trekker, let’s remind ourselves… we extend grace, we enjoy life with others, we are confident, hopeful and upbeat not because of who others are not… but because of who we are in Christ. We love because He loves us. We forgive because He forgives us. We grant others a bit of slack because He has granted us slack¸ over and over again. Oh, what a change we can make in our surroundings if we, ourselves, simply live changed lives! No evidence can be more telling or convicting than how we treat and speak of others with whom we disagree.
Good luck, trekker. And make sure you vote in a few days. Otherwise, conscience surely says one should remain silent, regardless of outcome.
See you at the ballot box,
Jim Meredith
