Setting An Example In The Slow Reopening

Scripture

6So you received the message with joy from the Holy Spirit in spite of the severe suffering it brought you. In this way, you imitated both us and the Lord. 7As a result, you have become an example to all the believers in Greece—throughout both Macedonia and Achaia. 1 Thessalonians 1:6-7

Observation

The faith of this young church plant was already setting an example for the entire region. Many marveled at how these believers could have such joy in the middle of such persecution. Rather than operating under the false assumption that says life should be easy when one is following Jesus, they were following Christ’s example which obviously includes suffering. In fact, Paul, being the wordsmith that he is, uses the same Greek word for “example” that is used to describe the marks left in the hands and feet of Jesus from the nails (John 20:25). You see the word “typos”, where we get our English word for type, means “the mark of a stroke or shape or scar from a blow.” This is so powerful. When the church in the city of Thessalonica was struck hard by those around them they didn’t strike back in anger but reached out in love. They bore the markings, the pattern, the look of Christ and as a result, the world stopped to take notice. These are the actions of not just one pastor or a few persons in the church, but a unified response to injustice that shows these Christians were living as citizens of a different kingdom. They didn’t operate or respond the way one would expect from the kingdoms of this world. They didn’t fight for their “rights”, but instead, as Christ on the Cross, laid down their rights to do what was right as citizens of Heaven. Paul uses “typos”, translated “pattern” when addressing the church in Rome, “But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you have come to obey from your heart the pattern of teaching that has now claimed your allegiance.” (Romans 6:17)

Application

Our allegiance is to Christ, our citizenship is in Heaven, and our example is seen by how we treat those around us. Paul admonished Timothy using the same Greek word “typos” when he said, “Be an example to all believers in what you say, in the way you live, in your love, your faith, and your purity.” (1 Timothy 4:12). I really needed this reminder this morning that my actions are going to set an example, good or bad. People are watching how we as Christ-followers are acting during the slow reopening of our country. I’m seeing battle lines being drawn and sadly I see a lot of “friendly fire”. This is the military term for what happens in the “fog of war” when the confusion leads a solider to accidentally fire on their own troops. We have the one side of The Church who are in complete compliance with government gathering guidelines and then we have the other side who are in complete defiance. If we are honest, both sides are battling fear to some degree. The fear on the one side is of catching or spreading the Coronavirus as well as marring our witness with the governing authorities. The fear on the other side is of the overreach of government, the attack on our freedoms and right to assemble, and the inability to truly care for the members of the Church effectively. There are valid points on both sides, but when fear is our motivator we end up setting the wrong example to both believers and pre-Christians alike. Like Timothy, I’m having to slow my roll when it comes to what I’m saying and the way I’m living because if what I’m showing is anything other then the sacrificial love of Christ then my allegiance is to something else other then Christ. Now, let me make this clear, I’m not under any persecution like The Church in Thessalonica. Yet, I still find myself angry and wanting to push back when I’m told the Church is being lumped in with sports gatherings and is less “essential” than other groups. This is where I must choose to lay down my rights and do what’s right. How The Church responds in this reopening of our country will either cause hearts to open to Christ in our cities, as seen in Thessalonica, or will cause hearts to close because of the example they see. The answer is not complete compliance with our government or complete defiance of our government, but complete reliance on the government of our God to lead us through the labyrinthine issues ahead of us. We must choose to stay unified with our fellow believers and refuse to fire on each other with words accusing a “lack of faith” or a “slavery to fear”. Unity is not the same as uniformity. We don’t need to see eye to eye, we just need to see heart to heart as we remember the heart of our Savior who died for all so all could live.

Prayer

I’m so thankful for Your Word that guides me through these times. I’ve being using the word “unprecedented” but Scripture makes it clear that those who follow You have followed You through much worse. You remind us that “These things happened to them as examples for us. They were written down to warn us who live at the end of the age.” (1 Cor. 10:11). I bring you my anger and frustration as I have not been called to live emotionally but Biblically. I bring you my rights and my opinions and I lay them at Your feet as I have been called to see what You are doing so I can do it with You! I bring you all the people-pleasing and insecurity that would try to sway my simple obedience to You and Your leading. I pray for Your Church. That rather than a divided people we would be a united people who live and love and serve and give in such a way that those around us see only the mark of the Cross, the mark of Christ! In order for America to reopen well, Your Church needs to reopen our hearts to the way You move which is usually much different than the way we would choose. Lead us through this Lord. We will follow You.