I wondered if you applied that principle to other scenarios Brother Nick, do you think its wrong to take money through taxation to pay for military spending or Policing duties even if the person who is being taxed is vehemently opposed to both. If you believe in Democracy and government, of maintaining order within society through laws, then youre going to have to pay for services and the upkeep of those laws even if youre personally opposed to the laws themselves. Or do you believe that each person has a right to decide what they should contribute to and what laws they should obey?.
Its not so much about forcing someone else to do good, for that is a moral decision, its about trying to build as just and ethical society and world as is possible. One of my favourite passages from the Bible is Micah 6:8, for i believe it encapsulates Gods calling on our lives, " For what does the Lord require of you, but to act Justly, to Love Mercy and to walk Humbly with your God", Justice, Kindness and Humility which together with Faith should form the bedrock of our lives.
Although War, violence and persecution have a part to play in the suffering of this world the main cause is poverty, the lack of resources, and as Christ depicted in Matthew 25 31-46, we are called on to feed the hungry, provide water for the thirsty, house the homeless, provide medical aid for the sick, help the prisoner and welcome the stranger, indeed , in the form of the poor and oppressed we encounter Christ himself, and whether we help him or not will decide our salvation or condemnation.
And youre right of course Brother Nick, the suffering and the destruction will continue until Christ returns, but until he does return, we must act as he commanded, to love our neighbour as ourselves and treat others as we'd want to be treated. If we are followers of Christ we must build our lives on the Firm rock of his truth and teachings.
We must do both, we must deal with the Poverty and suffering we see all around this world, and we must also address the root causes that cause and allow that poverty to continue. It isnt an either or Brother Nick but Both, "Justice and Mercy", And when we act in Christs name, then Christ is always "part of the picture", when we "let our light so shine before men, that they may see our good works and glorify our Father in heaven". Let our love and compassion be not just in words , but in actions, and let those actions be driven by our love of God and our Man and include both "Justice, Mercy and humility".Showing love and compassion without tackling the root causes is really just offering a temporary respite. This is especially true when Jesus isn’t part of the picture, which is almost always the case with many organizations that focus on easing the symptoms rather than addressing the real problems, which they don't have the power or inclination to deal with. It's like they will replace the pants that an animal is tearing apart but do nothing about the animal that is the cause of the problem! Nothing in truth has changed or will change! Yet, everyone can say "At least I tried!"
Which is why we must not only pursue alleviating the suffering of our fellow man but also address the root causes of why that suffering exists. Loving others as we love ourselves and treating others as we'd want to be treated is not just a call to tend to their immediate needs but also a call to Justice. For is not our notion of Justice putting ourselves into anothers situation and asking how would i feel if that was me?. If we do this in Christs name how bright will be the light that shines and how great will be the glorifying of God.Agreed! We're back to what are we doing to take care of the problem! In truth nothing. We're putting it off to someone else, another day, because tackling the root of the problem is too difficult, or we excuse not addressing it, as being beyond our control/power. What needs to be done, was what was done with Slavery! It was aggressive, direct attacks to the cause of/who was creating it/continuing it! Our governments took direct action, because the people, many Christians won't let the government excuse it, or turn a blind eye to what was happening. Only then did the governments start attacking the ships, ports if necessary. So if attacking the countries, changing the government, is the root of the problem in this day and age of misery, then we must if necessary, tackle the inaction of the governments who we fall under.
Helping the actual slaves was secondary to ending the practice, which, in reality, only pushed it underground, where it still exists today.
We ALL need Jesus Brother Nick, for ALL of us are in need of his compassion and forgiveness, and his truth and understanding. And i cant let go of my Guilt, for i know i am the beneficiary of an evil and corrupt system that puts the majority of the worlds resources into the hands of the priveliged few leaving the mass of humanity to suffer and die in their consequent poverty and deprivation./Their blood is on my hands, i could do and give far more, but my wretched sinfulness , my self interest and lack of self denial and sacrifice prevents me from doing what i know i should. Oh yes, brother Nick, we are ALL in need of Jesus. And the Gospel, Christs teachings, are in all i do, they speak loud and clear as to how my life should be, and my guilt comes from knowing how it is.
But that is what Christ commands us to do brother Nick, for we are flesh and blood as well as Spirit, and while i understand Christs call that we should "hate our lives and the lives of those around us" because of our sinfulness and corruption, he also says that we should feed the hungry, clothe the naked, house the homeless, ....... it is not one or the other but both that we are called to minister to.,
Amen to that Brother Nick, it is indeed my only hope in this suffering world, but unlike yourself i feel little joy in my existence knowing only too well my own sinfulness and the many horrors that are taking place even as i write this. If i am indeed to love my neighbour as myself, then i can only feel their pain and sorrow as i look around at what we've made of Gods Creation.
Amen to that Brother Nick, it is a narrow and hard road we follow but with Gods Love and strength we will endure to the end
With the Love of Christ Jesus Brother Nick
Steve
