"Oh, that's funny" I thought... and clicked the "like" button. Then I thought, "wait a minute...Boo for that status!" and immediately deleted my initial "like" from my profile. I'm not praying for his death, and come to think of it... it kind of annoyed me the way the whole thing was worded.
Do I believe that some people are praying for the presidents death? As sad a thought that that is... yes! I believe that there are people who are praying for the presidents death. But I would venture to say that most who "liked" the post are not. It, and they, are trying to make a point... in a rather tasteless and ire-provoking way.
I say with confidence that praying for the President's death, just because I don't agree with how he is carrying out his office, is NOT holy. But what about thinking a "joke status" is funny because I don't like him... is that UNHOLY? I have a sneaking suspicion that it is. Doesn't God want our entire being to be holy? Not just our behavior and outward appearance.... doesn't He want my thoughts to be Holy? I think He does. That belief, along with what little I understand of God's holiness, makes me very uncomfortable.
No surprise that this particular status is upsetting a lot of folks... and the most frequent point being made is "What kind of a thing is this for a Christian?"
Indeed.
I'm reminded of a book I read a few years ago "The Pursuit of Holiness"
It was a thought-provoker, an uncomfortable maker sort of book. After a few years of following Christ I have an inkling of what it means to be Holy... but honestly... I'm not sure I understand, or even like, God's holiness at all. He says... "You must be Holy because I, the Lord your God, am Holy" (Lev. 19:2) There were many rules in the Law that God's people had to follow to show that they were holy. I thank Him daily that I am living under the New Covenant! I have the Law to show me how I sin... and to show me just how HOLY, holy is... but I have a Savior Who fulfilled that Law, and I no longer have to live up to it. Gasp!!! Did I just say that as a Christian, I don't have standards to follow, that I don't have to follow rules? Au contraire....
God's new covenant says I don't have to live by the Law... but as a Christian, I do have to live by His Spirit.
Somewhere between 1000-1500 years after the "be Holy" words were written by Moses... Peter wrote them again, reminding his readers that "You must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy." (1 Pet.1:15)
Nearly 2000 years after that, a FB status is causing me to commiserate over the words. UGH!! (or could it be His Spirit?) :-)
I say with confidence that praying for the President's death, just because I don't agree with how he is carrying out his office, is NOT holy. But what about thinking a "joke status" is funny because I don't like him... is that UNHOLY? I have a sneaking suspicion that it is. Doesn't God want our entire being to be holy? Not just our behavior and outward appearance.... doesn't He want my thoughts to be Holy? I think He does. That belief, along with what little I understand of God's holiness, makes me very uncomfortable.
In regard to the Facebook status, one of my FB friends said "this kind of hate rhetoric is exactly why I do not identify myself as a Christian anymore." I understand his emotion... and his point. But is hiding my Christianity a good thing just because I don't want to be identified with so-called Christians who spew hate? I'm not sure if that line of thought is anymore pleasing to Jesus than "Lord, in the past year You've taken my favorite actor...... my favorite actress... my favorite singer. Just wanted you to know my favorite president is....."
...a topic for another blogpost.
Until then... be blessed. And.... pursue Holiness. :-)
I believe that is Jerry Bridges "Pursuit of Holiness
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