It has been hard to turn on the news lately. The constant stream of bad news isn’t particularly appealing. Social media also seems to be filled with negative opinions and shaming.
“Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.” (Proverbs chapter 18, verse 21)
Blame has also been a major motif from the world’s response to Covid-19. Blame of government leaders, public figures. This blame echoes out from the fall.
“The woman you put here with me - she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it.” (Genesis chapter 3, verse 12)
It was Eve’s fault! Adam says. The blame game is as old as sin itself. It seems that when we feel cornered, when there is anger in our hearts, we hurry to point a finger.
However, it’s not hard to see why. Blame and criticism are not surprising.
Imagine your livelihood is taken away. Imagine entertainment, pleasures in life have been robbed from you, travel plans, going out, have been taken and you have no firm foundation to stand on.
The heart becomes desperately stuffed with dark emotions. A bubbling pot of stored up bitterness, exasperation and impatience. Things you took for granted are the things you are fighting for. Having a roof over your head, having an endless supply of food waiting for you at the store. All is being uprooted, things are being uncovered. The rage bubbles over.
Two roads
The worldly response then, is to find somebody, and blame them. The worldly response is to direct that anger in your heart out into the world.
“Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks” (Luke chapter 6, verse 45)
Certain situations release emotions that are hidden deep down.
The Christian view however, and I am so proud to say this, is different. I have seen a qadowsh response from the church. Which means cut off, separate from, distinct from everything else. The church has spoken life. This is a holy response.
And in so, the church has fulfilled its role. I have often come across beautiful and holy reactions. And it deserves to be honoured. Many believers deserve commendation and honour because they have responded so well.
So many Christian leaders, have adapted and responded with courage and boldness. To see the world’s foundations shaken and to react so courageously is truly a God honouring thing.
“For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession.” (Deuteronomy chapter 7, verse 6)
God chose Israel, he chose them to be his representatives. To be a holy people amongst a crooked generation. He chose them to be distinct from wickedness, set apart from impurity.
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.” (Matthew chapter 5, verse 14)
This is what I have seen in the church today. I have seen this in every circle of believers I have had the privilege of being around. Every circle of friends has a life-giving response. In the wider church body, in the global church, I have heard encouragement. Speech seasoned with salt. Speech that fertilizes and preserves life.
Let us consider the incredible contrast between the heart of the church to encourage, and the heart of the world to blame. We are set apart. For how could we not be? For it is the power of God that dwells inside of us.
Let us then press on, to speak life, to encourage our brothers and sisters. Let us run a race with vigour. For our light was never meant to be hidden. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden, only beheld as spectacle.
You, and I, and our brothers and sisters around the world are the light of the world.