It Is Not Fair!

Seems like everyone is suddenly very upset because so many things are not fair.  Apparently an entire generation has been intently focused on things that are not fair and they are mad and motivated.  They have come of age and they are upset.

On the one hand this is exciting news.  Some good changes are certainly on the way with all this new energy being unleashed against unfairness.  On the other hand, this is not the first generation to throw itself fully against what is unfair.

As a person who was a teen in the 1960’s in the USA I saw Martin Luther King, Jr. go beyond what was fair.  He dreamed of and fought for something much greater than what is fair.  He called a generation to be fair and to love at the same time.  He died for more than fairness.  He died for love, too.

As noble a goal as fighting what is unfair is, it is far short of what is needed.  Unfair only gives way to genuine, sacrificial love.  I believe that is what Dr. King believed because he believed in Jesus.

I know the passion for fairness is wonderful to feel and to see.  Even so, I pray that among those who are screaming so loudly in other people’s faces there  would be many who remember that fair needs love and true love is always fair and even more than fair.

Jesus never used the word fair.  He used the word just.  Just includes love that is fair.  It is hard to think of Jesus getting up in anyone’s face screaming.  It is easy to see him getting up on the cross bleeding.  Kind of reminds me of Martin Luther King, Jr.  I never saw him scream in anyone’s face and I never saw him back down or stop loving.

Bud McCord

Abide International

Declaring Who You Are

We are always communicating to others who we are.  We just cannot help ourselves.  We want others to properly understand us.

Never has this been more clear than in today’s world where different cultures are now getting to know each other.  The messages about identity are non-stop among us.

Muslims of all types make it clear who they are by disciplines and clothing.  People who love tatoos leave no doubt what they want you to know about them with their public tatoos.    Company executives dress for success so you will know that they are.  Hipsters always make sure we know they are “hip” by their hair and their clothes.

Should Christians declare clearly who they are?  If so, how should Christians identify themselves in public? 

There are at least two public declarations that allow us to say who we are as Christians.  One is a public baptism and the other is participation the Lord’s supper or Communion.

Both Baptism and the Lord’s supper say Jesus is vitally important for us and in us.  Both of these special moments, if observed authentically and thoughtfully, say we are forever connected to what Jesus did for us and what He is in us.

Even with these two fantastic declarations, the most powerful way that we are to declare publicly who we are as disciples is by the quality of our daily love.  For a Christian continuous love is our very visible “discipline”,“clothing”, “tatoo” and “success”.  And high quality love is always “hip”.

Declare clearly who you are in Christ. Be baptized and join other believers in taking the Lord’s supper.  Above all things, live high quality love rooted in God.  Jesus certainly did.

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13:34-35

Bud McCord

Abide International