JUST AS JESUS DID

Hello, again. Today I want to tell you--someone-- about a new thought for me. In the past I've always wished our kids could pray in school when they wished and that the Pledge of Allegiance hadn't been changed to omit the words "under God." There is a sadness to it, certainly. But there is more, too, to be looked at.

A story in scripture, verse Luke 18:9, spoke clearly today to me to consider who I think I am. Jesus story about the tax man and the Pharisee clearly says, "Watch it!"
Jesus told his story to some who were "complacently pleased with themselves over their moral performance and looked down their noses at the common people." The Pharisee was haughty and proud of his rightful thinking. The tax man was deeply aware of his sinfulness and repentant. The parable shows us the importance of humility and of being truthful with ourselves.

I wonder how many times our Christian world determined we were better than others. We are not; we are all sinners, the same as those of the world. But we are saved and not by our own grace but by the grace of Christ who atoned in our place and for our sins. We know this.

This era in which we live now is not a time to be proud. We seem to have set ourselves up into a higher place, being Christian, demanding more rights from our country than our country ever designated, giving freedom of religion for all and not just for Christians. (One of my favorite cousins, a lawyer, pointed this out to me; and I believe he is right!)

We are also in an era where we must become aware that suffering (for Jesus) is upon us. Jesus took His horrendous suffering with the help of the Father. We may not encounter crucifixion as He did, but certainly we will encounter the wrath of those in this country and other countries who do not believe and seriously differ with us, perhaps to the point of hate because of what they see as self-righteousness. And as we have been making demands, perhaps there is no other word for it.

I for one want no more to make demands on those who disagree with my beliefs. Jesus loved and accepted all those who hated him. How can I do otherwise? We are in an era, perhaps, of suffering, doing without certain privileges. If we are full of grace and forgiveness we will act, somewhat, like Jesus did when He was suffering.

I must--I simply must!-- do kindness and forgiveness in under any kind of suffering, with the help of the Father--just as Jesus did! How about you?

Hopefully, Jo