Inconvenient Biblical Teaching - Political Correctness
Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone."
-The Apostle Paul writing to the first believers in the City of Rome, 1st century
Romans 12:14-18
[4th message of the Why I Don't Believe Series]
In the first three messages of this series we talked about how people who reject Christianity do so because they either cannot accept an inconvenient biblical teaching, or they have taken a hard stance against it and is standing their ground, immovable, unshakeable.
Human Nature
As we discussed, this is understandable as all of us do not want anyone to tell us what to do or what to believe in. The bible actually alludes to this as free will.
Offensive
Today we will continue with this and touch on more of the same, and this is on how some people do not wish to be Christians because they want to remain relevant to the current times -- otherwise be known as a politically correct individual (or a nice and moral person).
These people do not wish to exclude anyone, they do not want to offend anyone, and they want to live in peace, harmony and 'kumbaya' with everyone.
Ahead of His Time
But guess what, Jesus of Nazareth lived His life and taught His disciples the same thing.
Now of course, Jesus was already and will always be offensive. And His Words, many will take offense to -- it particularly touched a very sensitive nerve with the political and religious leaders of His day. And they conspired among themselves and had him eliminated (killed off). I guess, for some that is why they do not wish to be offensive, that or they want to stay fashionable. Or His words also touched on a sensitive nerve of theirs.
Exclusive
Now even though Jesus can and will be an offense (The Way, One Way, Jesus is the Way), He did not exclude anybody.
He didn't exclude people just because of their gender, age, status, ethnicity or any kind of classification of people we now have given them.
In fact, He welcomed everyone. Although as we've mentioned, maybe everyone except for a specific group of people He called vipers, those were the hypocritical, know it all, legalistic religious leaders of His day.
In fact, He welcomed everyone. Although as we've mentioned, maybe everyone except for a specific group of people He called vipers, those were the hypocritical, know it all, legalistic religious leaders of His day.
Now the irony of this is that Paul, the writer of the letter to the Romans, an excerpt of which we read above, used to be part of this brood of vipers. So in essence, the invitation was also made available even to their slimy kind (among them Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea).
Love
Jesus cared for people, all people -- the snobbish, the confused, the questioning, the poor, those who were out of luck, street beggars, doctors, fishermen, the disabled, the sick, prostitutes, scammers, traitors, those living with people whom they are not married to, men and women, young and old, Jews and non-Jews, sinner and saint, and the sane and unsane.
Christian Living
The Apostle Paul, very early on at the start of Christianity taught the ground rules for how a Christian was to behave.
Being called a Christian in his day was demeaning, the name was a derogatory term. But after 2,000 years, we've come full circle and now being called a Christian is again demeaning.
[A Christian was what the 1st century people used to call those few people who lived among them who believed in Christ.]
We read that Paul taught Christians should live in harmony with one another. And to do everything they can so that they can live in peace with everyone.
A real Christian doesn't look at color, at appearances, creed, gender, age or status.
And we shouldn't hold it against Christ or Christianity that some people who call themselves Christians are not living up to the standards which Jesus and the early leaders of the church lived up to, and even died for.
Teaching
A true Christian will live and teach the "exclusivity" teaching (the offensive One Way teaching) that Christ taught. But they will never exclude anyone.
And they will care for anyone, regardless of their status, the color of their skin, their accent, their appearance, their age, their gender, how they live their life and what they believe in.
Jesus is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. His followers rely on His words and on the Holy Spirit to be able to follow His example. A Christian is a believer of Christ but it will take a while for them to be Christlike. And unfortunately, there will be rotten apples everywhere regardless of what they believe in.
Love
Jesus cared for people, all people -- the snobbish, the confused, the questioning, the poor, those who were out of luck, street beggars, doctors, fishermen, the disabled, the sick, prostitutes, scammers, traitors, those living with people whom they are not married to, men and women, young and old, Jews and non-Jews, sinner and saint, and the sane and unsane.
Christian Living
The Apostle Paul, very early on at the start of Christianity taught the ground rules for how a Christian was to behave.
Being called a Christian in his day was demeaning, the name was a derogatory term. But after 2,000 years, we've come full circle and now being called a Christian is again demeaning.
[A Christian was what the 1st century people used to call those few people who lived among them who believed in Christ.]
We read that Paul taught Christians should live in harmony with one another. And to do everything they can so that they can live in peace with everyone.
A real Christian doesn't look at color, at appearances, creed, gender, age or status.
And we shouldn't hold it against Christ or Christianity that some people who call themselves Christians are not living up to the standards which Jesus and the early leaders of the church lived up to, and even died for.
Teaching
A true Christian will live and teach the "exclusivity" teaching (the offensive One Way teaching) that Christ taught. But they will never exclude anyone.
And they will care for anyone, regardless of their status, the color of their skin, their accent, their appearance, their age, their gender, how they live their life and what they believe in.
Jesus is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. His followers rely on His words and on the Holy Spirit to be able to follow His example. A Christian is a believer of Christ but it will take a while for them to be Christlike. And unfortunately, there will be rotten apples everywhere regardless of what they believe in.
Romans 12:9-13
"Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other. Never be lazy, but work hard and serve the Lord enthusiastically. Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying. When God’s people are in need, be ready to help them. Always be eager to practice hospitality."
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