On the Rooftop

The world is filled with problems too large for anyone to fix.  We would like to think in our modern day we have outpaced the sins of our fathers, but human nature has remained unchanged and corrupted.  Like weeds which spring up from the dirt, we see in our generation the same bigotry, racism, violence, politics, and intolerance in abundance.  Followers of Jesus Christ like me find ourselves trying to find a quiet place on the corner of the rooftop to avoid being swept away by the rising flood of secularism and are immediately drenched to the bone by the dripping of liberal Christians who dismiss our biblical stance.  I don't expect applause from the world for standing on the Word of God.  I don't expect to be understood or appreciated by people who oppose my biblical position or even to be realistically portrayed or represented by those who publicly claim to speak for Christians.  God is my only real Advocate.

In Australia there will soon be a national vote held to discern if people are in favour of changing the Constitution to allow for same-sex marriage, departing from the narrow definition established by God in the Bible.  People are divided if there should be a vote at all, not to mention how people should vote!  I expect the volume of this debate to keep rising over the coming days because that is what happens once everyone has said their piece - without much effect.  A vote will not settle the subject, for even if a change was decided upon in Parliament people would still hold to their beliefs.  All a vote will prove is we do not agree.  My view of what marriage is has never been contingent on a government, constitution, or man's tradition but based upon my understanding of what God has said in His unchanging Word.  Regardless of how a government or society views or defines marriage, God's ordination of a marriage between one man and one woman has been clearly expressed in the Bible and this truth will endure.  Years ago I wrote a parable on this topic called "Sodium Chloride and the Chemist."

It is one thing when people outside the church disagree, but it is a stern challenge of unity when people who claim loyalty to Christ see things differently from scripture.  Even still, we do not need to become angry, frustrated, unloving, or fierce towards others.  We are called to be joyful, patient, and endure to the end.  The Bible has foretold many times in the New Testament that people will depart from the true faith, "...having a form of godliness but denying the power thereof" (2 Tim. 3:1-5)  People will have "itching ears" and heap unto themselves teachers who tell them what they want to hear rather than teachers who according to scripture convince, rebuke, and exhort others to live righteously according to God's standard (2 Tim. 4:3-4).  This was happening in Paul's day, and it is happening even now.  When we find ourselves forced onto a rooftop we ought to plainly declare the Word of God, keep believing it, and continue obeying it.  Regardless of what others were doing, Paul exhorted Timothy in 2 Timothy 4:5, "But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfil your ministry."

Whether Caesar Nero was in power or there were wolves in sheep's clothing in the church spouting falsehood, Timothy was to keep his eyes open, endure afflictions, continue to share the Good News of the Gospel, and finish the work God had called him to do.  And what is the work God has called us to do?  The primary part of doing God's work is to believe on Jesus, the One God has sent (John 6:29).  God had called Timothy to feed the flock of God by preaching the Word, even as Jesus and Paul had done.  The scripture is perfectly capable to make a man of God complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17).  When we love God and love others, we don't need to be afraid of what is happening in the world or angry at those who wrongfully accuse us.  We will not be required to answer for the policies of our government, but we will be judged for our attitudes, behaviour, words, and responses towards other people.  How important it is we honour God's Word over the opinions of men!  Jesus is the Judge who will provide for us a robe and crown of righteousness, having purchased us with His own blood.  Instead of living to please ourselves and those who will pass away, let us honour the One who endures forever by proclaiming His love from the rooftops.