Today’s Lectionary Readings: Psalm 86; Isaiah 7:10-25; Matthew 11:7-15; Hebrews 10:32-39; Psalm 127
Each year around this time, a faith-based controversy seems to arise in my community. A couple of years ago, for instance, the controversy was around Denver’s “Parade of Lights” that was in the practice of banning faith-based participants. A year or two ago the controversy had to do with retail persons who were saying Season’s Greetings instead of Merry Christmas. Those controversies showed me to what a large degree today’s Christians in the United States have developed a sense of entitlement. It seemed as if many of those complaining wanted society to make it as easy as possible to live out and express their faith – not even acknowledging or caring about other expressions of faith. This saddened me greatly on multiple fronts. Today’s passage from Hebrews is a great reality check about what it REALLY means to hold on to your faith. Wouldn’t you know it? There’s no mention of being guaranteed parade permits. In place of a parade is mention of enduring insults and persecution. And wouldn’t you know it: there’s no mention of Christmas greetings by retail clerks. In place of catchy greetings is mention of solidarity with the imprisoned and confiscation of property. The passage culminates with these words from Hebrews 10:36 in the NIV: “You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what God has promised.” The next time you find yourself starting to complain about inconveniences that pop up in your life, stop and remember the spirit of today’s passage from Hebrews. May this passage move us beyond a sense of entitlement in regards to our faith to a sense of perseverance as we face the challenges ahead. Til next time…
Each year around this time, a faith-based controversy seems to arise in my community. A couple of years ago, for instance, the controversy was around Denver’s “Parade of Lights” that was in the practice of banning faith-based participants. A year or two ago the controversy had to do with retail persons who were saying Season’s Greetings instead of Merry Christmas. Those controversies showed me to what a large degree today’s Christians in the United States have developed a sense of entitlement. It seemed as if many of those complaining wanted society to make it as easy as possible to live out and express their faith – not even acknowledging or caring about other expressions of faith. This saddened me greatly on multiple fronts. Today’s passage from Hebrews is a great reality check about what it REALLY means to hold on to your faith. Wouldn’t you know it? There’s no mention of being guaranteed parade permits. In place of a parade is mention of enduring insults and persecution. And wouldn’t you know it: there’s no mention of Christmas greetings by retail clerks. In place of catchy greetings is mention of solidarity with the imprisoned and confiscation of property. The passage culminates with these words from Hebrews 10:36 in the NIV: “You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what God has promised.” The next time you find yourself starting to complain about inconveniences that pop up in your life, stop and remember the spirit of today’s passage from Hebrews. May this passage move us beyond a sense of entitlement in regards to our faith to a sense of perseverance as we face the challenges ahead. Til next time…
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