December 5, 2024 – Stuff That Needs To Be Said: Essential Words on Life, Death, Faith, Politics, Love, and Giving a Damn

““This is what he showed me: the Lord was standing beside a wall built with a plumb line, with a plumb line in his hand. And the Lord said to me, “Amos, what do you see?” And I said, “A plumb line.” Then the Lord said, “See, I am setting a plumb line in the midst of my people Israel; I will never again pass them by; the high places of Isaac shall be made desolate, and the sanctuaries of Israel shall be laid waste, and I will rise against the house of Jeroboam with the sword.” Amos 7:7 – 9

“If you tell me you’re a Christian, be someone who—like Jesus—looks at the crowds and has a compassion for them that propels you into proximity with their pain. Because if you aren’t deeply burdened to live from a place of expansive, sacrificial, selfless love toward your neighbor; not moved to alleviate anguish or reduce suffering; not compelled to leave people better than you found them—honestly, I’m not sure what the point of calling yourself a Christian is.” (Pavlovitz, John. Stuff That Needs To Be Said: Essential Words on Life, Death, Faith, Politics, Love, and Giving a Damn (p. 23). John Pavlovitz. Kindle Edition.

“What were Amos’ reasons for speaking as he did…? What convictions lay behind his words? There are three outstanding elements in his preaching…The first is that Israel’s faith must manifest itself in concern for the poor, for the underdog, for the suffering, for those at the bottom of the social ladder. Amos insisted…that the quality of social justice is the gauge of righteousness in people.” Hagen Staack (1913 – 1992) Prophetic Voices Of The Bible, “For All The Saints”, volume III (p. 45)

Amos was very vocal about social justice – he complained about the treatment the poor received at the hands of the rich. I like the comment by Staack that the gauge of our righteousness is found in how each one of us handles the issue of social justice. Social justice is not just for the advocates, for those who like to attend rallies, or for the leftist “wackos”. We all need to be involved in social justice, for social justice is at the heart of the gospel-inspired life. What do I mean by social justice? Briefly, it means “justice in terms of the distribution of wealth, opportunities, and privileges within a society.” Yes, Jesus said we will always have the poor with us. That does not mean we should accept their plight without somehow hoping to ease their burdens.

Again the words of John Pavlovitz: “…if you aren’t deeply burdened to live from a place of expansive, sacrificial, selfless love toward your neighbor; not moved to alleviate anguish or reduce suffering; not compelled to leave people better than you found them—honestly, I’m not sure what the point of calling yourself a Christian is.”

Pastor Dave

December 4, 2024 – Stuff That Needs To Be Said: Essential Words on Life, Death, Faith, Politics, Love, and Giving a Damn

“For my entire life, I assumed something that perhaps I shouldn’t have: I thought Christians were supposed to care about people—not necessarily agree with them or believe what they believe or even like them, but see them each as specific and unique image-bearers of the Divine, to want and to work for Shalom for them: wholeness, happiness, peace, safety, rest. I grew up believing that one of the markers of a life that emulates Jesus was a heart capable of being broken at the distress of other human beings around you: when they are hungry and hurting; when they are homeless and afraid; when they grieve and feel alone; when they believe they are unloved and forgotten; when tragedy befalls them and when injustice assails them. These things are supposed to move the needle within us if Jesus is present.” (Pavlovitz, John. Stuff That Needs To Be Said: Essential Words on Life, Death, Faith, Politics, Love, and Giving a Damn (p. 21/22). John Pavlovitz. Kindle Edition.)

Pilate famously said “What is truth?”, as he responds to Jesus telling him that he came to testify to the truth. (John 18:38) The Latin is Quid est Veritas?

Quid est Veritas? What is the truth of existence? What is the truth of faith and works? What is the truth of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus? Our main hope is that we might encounter some truth in our lives—truth about the world, about existence, and about faith. The bible continues to tell us that it is the truth—that it posits to us G-d’s truth. The Bible states: ‘“If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”‘ (John 8:31-32) and ‘”Your word is truth.”‘ (John 17:17). The truth is revealed in The Bible as the person and character of Jesus Christ, and His teachings, and the reality of G-d’s promises. Jesus Christ is the truth; He is the absolute standard and embodiment of truth. And he has told us how we are to treat one another when we live into his truth:

“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?’ And the king will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did it to me.”’ Matthew 25:37-40

The Bible provides us with standards and morals for living and treating everyone we meet. The truth will, if embraced, make you free.

Pastor Dave