Bandaids Versus Systemic Change: God's Work

One of the blogs I follow had an interesting take on this past Sunday's emphasis on God's Work.  Our Hands.  I get what he is saying.  Really.  I do.  But I find some of the theology behind the assertion a bit troubling.  Let's think about these statements in particular:

And we did this all the while knowing that acts of kindness and charity are poor replacements for systemic change and activism.

 Really; that’s just the plain truth.  Systems don’t change because I’ve handed a person a sandwich.  Systems change when I press back against a culture that creates the have-nots in the shadow of the haves.

God’s work would be to flatten those economies in a way that changed life for everyone.

So, God's work--His REAL work--would be to flatten our systems of power and injustice and change life for everyone.  That's the underlying theology, isn't it?  Handing out sandwiches is good work, but it's not quite on a par with something grander--an overhaul of the system that causes people to go hungry.  Well, there is truth in that statement.  It would be nice to come up with some sort of system where there were no hungry, or thirsty, or naked, or imprisoned.

But there is a two-fold problem with this theology.

Problem #1: In reality, this is a modified theology of glory; a theology which seeks the boldest and grandest; a theology which seeks a total remaking of the world and its structures; a theology which focuses on the end times promise of a new heaven and a new earth; a theology which seeks earthly comfort in the way I think it should occur.  Oh, that statement will probably cause a little bit of ire, but there is little difference, at least in my book, between saying, "If I just believe and have enough faith, then I will be blessed with wealth and prosperity." and "If I just push back against a culture that creates the have-nots in the shadow of the haves, then I am really doing God's work [and systems will change so that more will have.]"

Whether we like it or not, our focus as Christians comes in the form of the God made flesh: Jesus.  And Jesus wasn't exactly revealing to us the methodology of bringing about such a theology.  He wasn't one to tell his followers to "do the right things and God will bless you."  He wasn't one that said, "Do the right things and you will bring heaven to earth."  He wasn't one going around saying, "We need to push back against this Roman invasion and those who collaborate with it to produce poor people and stomp on people."  He famously spoke, "My kingdom is not of this world."  And it's not.

It involves the creation of a whole new world.  Why?  Because it is we as humans who build the systems.

That's Problem #2: What is the system that God has built to replace that which He supposedly would/could/is tearing down?  Somehow, there is an assumption built into this whole shebang that some system exists that is indeed perfect where human poverty is eradicated.  Somehow, there is an assumption that some system exists which the distinction between haves and have nots is erased.  Looking at the history of the world, has such a system ever been established?

I am waiting for the answer....

Again, humans build the systems of which we are a part in this world.  And those systems are just like us.  They have their good points.  They have their bad points.  They are saintly in some ways.  They are sinful in others.  What more can you expect out of a system put together by beings such as we? 

Even the Church, in all of its myriads of expressions throughout the world does not come close to reaching perfection.  It does not come close to reaching the vision of heaven as articulated by Jesus and the earliest disciples.  Why?  It is composed of humans.  Plain and simple.  In order to create a perfect system, we must achieve perfection as human beings.   Anyone want to take a guess how long it will take for that to happen?

Which brings us back to God's work.  What is God's work?

Perhaps it is a bit old fashioned, but let's remember what the basics of our faith tell us.  You know, those things called the Creeds. 

1. God is creator.
2. God is salvation bringer.
3. God is sustainer.
4. God is sanctifier.

I think it poignant to recite at this point Luther's explanation of the Third Article of the Creed:

I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come to Him; but the Holy Ghost has called me by the Gospel, enlightened me with His gifts, sanctified and kept me in the true faith; even as He calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole Christian Church on earth, and keeps it with Jesus Christ in the one true faith; in which Christian Church He forgives daily and richly all sins to me and all believers, and at the last day will raise up me and all the dead, and will give to me and to all believers in Christ everlasting life. This is most certainly true.

What is God's work in this day and time:

Calling.  Gathering.  Enlightening.  Sanctifying.

That sanctifying one is pretty important, you know.  That's the one where God comes in and rearranges the furniture deep within us.  Where He makes us holy--more Christ like.  And when we start becoming more Christ like, we start doing the things He asked us to do: feeding the hungry, giving drink to the thirsty, clothing the naked, all those stop gap measures.

Why the stop gap?  Why not something more?  Why not something grand?  Why not something transformational which blew up the imperfect systems of which we are a part?

Well, that would involve blowing us up first.  That would involve eradicating all of our selfishness; all of our desire for more; all of our focus on what we want instead of what we need.  Get rid of all that, and we can have a perfect system.

And that's not going to happen until the parousia--the end of times.  Jesus knew this.  He had the big picture, and He knew sanctification is a life-long process.  He knew the grand things weren't going to happen short of remaking the world, so He taught us to see God's action in places where it hadn't been seen before--like a child and a seed and a prodigal father and a cross.

The grand remaking of the world is still to come.  The trashing of all those imperfect systems is still to come.  In the mean time, God's work continues.  Don't sell it short.

Does God Give Warning Tickets?

Last Sunday after church [Sheriff of Austin County] Jack Brandes asked me a very good question, "Does God give warning tickets?" "You know, pastor," Jack said, "we issue a lot of warning tickets. Does God give warnings?"

Jack, of course was referencing my sermon last week about the reasons we follow Christ’s commands and God’s laws. My initial response was, "Yes, God does issue warning tickets." And I stand by that. This might seem like a rather odd topic for Mother’s Day, but bear with me. I’m trying to be faithful to the biblical texts appointed for the day and answer a really good question brought forth by one of our members.

The Old Testament is full of references of God sending warnings to His people who were disobeying the law. All one need do is read through the prophets. When the people sinned, God repeatedly sent men of faith who called Israel to repentance. "Stop worshiping false gods," they would cry out, "lest God bring forth punishment." "Thus says the Lord, stop your pious festivals because what I really desire is for you to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with your God. Do this, or there will be consequences."

Warning tickets. Such things are issued to get you to think about what you are doing wrong and turn around to do the right things. But what about the New Testament? Are such warnings found after Jesus’ death and resurrection? I think there are.

Let us look once again at our second lesson this morning from the book of Revelation chapter 22. This is the very end of John’s vision, and in this vision, John is being shown around heaven. John paints the picture of this reality several times in this final book of the Bible including in these last few verses, "12 ‘See, I am coming soon; my reward is with me, to repay according to everyone’s work. 13I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.’ 14 Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they will have the right to the tree of life and may enter the city by the gates. 15Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and fornicators and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood."

"15Outside are the dogs and sorcerers and fornicators and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood." A warning ticket. Now, those of you who read my blog know this verse was omitted by those who were choosing today’s Bible passages for some reason or another. I wasn’t happy about its exclusion, so I made sure it was printed in the bulletin. We need to see what is in scripture and be allowed to think about it, wrestle with it, and ask tough questions about it. Like, why would God keep people outside of heaven?

Now, this might not be a troubling question for some. I mean, there are many Christians who willingly accept the Christian doctrine of hell, but there are a good chunk of people who find this problematic. How could a loving God destine people to eternal punishment?

Well, let’s start with the fact that God does not destine anyone to hell. God does not destine anyone to eternal punishment. God doesn’t condemn people. They condemn themselves.

Now, that might sound harsh, but let’s go through this step by step. First off, remember that you don’t have the power to come to belief in God on your own. Some people have trouble with this concept. Some folks believe you have to consciously make a decision to believe in God and follow Jesus Christ. I respectfully disagree as Scripture is very clear. St. Paul writes that no one can say Jesus is Lord except by the power of the Holy Spirit. For those of you who want verse references, it’s 1 Corinthians 12:3. If you have an argument with me about this, you will first have to argue with St. Paul. Martin Luther, namesake of the Lutheran Church picked up on this in his explanation to the third article of the Apostles’ Creed when he wrote, "I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ or come to Him, but it is the Holy Spirit that calls me through the Gospel, enlightens me with His gifts and sanctifies and preserves me in the true faith." And now, if Andrew Newberg’s brain research is correct, we know that we are actually hard-wired for belief in God. The brain is wired for belief! In my book, that means God has predestined each and every one of us to believe in Him and have salvation.

So, why hell then? Why people sitting outside heaven? Well, because God gives us the choice to walk away. We can freely stay in a relationship with Him, or we can walk away from it. We have free will.
"But why does God give us this free will. If He loves us so much and wants us to be with Him, why does He allow us to walk away?"

Well, let’s think about that a moment. If He didn’t give us free will, then we would simply be puppets on a string. God would control us. That’s not exactly a relationship now, is it? True relationships, relationships which are built upon love and trust require freedom. They require people having the ability to say yes to each other or no to each other. It’s that simple, really. There must be a choice involved when it comes to our relationship with God, and that choice remains squarely with you and me as to whether or not we stay in that relationship. God doesn’t waver in His resolve toward us. He wants us to be with Him, and He will do everything in His power to make that relationship work. It is we who choose to walk away.

Which brings us back to those sitting outside of heaven: the dogs and sorcerers and fornicators and murderers and idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices falsehood. How do we reconcile such things with grace? How do we reconcile those sitting on the outside with the knowledge that it is not by our actions that we are saved but purely by God’s love? Doesn’t God love even those who are outside the gate?

Of course. In fact, God loves them so much that He gives them their heart’s desire.

Verses 16 and 17 read, "16 ‘It is I, Jesus, who sent my angel to you with this testimony for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.’ 17 The Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come.’ And let everyone who hears say, ‘Come.’ And let everyone who is thirsty come. Let anyone who wishes take the water of life as a gift."

Stop and think a moment about your heart’s desire. Stop and think a moment about what is at the center of your life and what your life revolves around. Consider for a moment that your heart’s desire is your thirst. Consider for a moment that your life revolves around what you believe will quench that thirst. And consider that God wants to give you your heart’s desire. God will allow you to pursue your heart’s desire for eternity. And consider now, that if your heart’s desire isn’t God, that desire will never be quenched. Yeah, that would be hell.

Now, consider the fact that the only desire that can be quenched completely when we enter into eternity, is our thirst for God. "Let everyone who is thirsty come. Drink the gift of the water of life. Be satisfied. Be filled. Enter into the peace that passes all understanding." Heaven.

What is your heart’s desire? Do we need a warning ticket? I sincerely hope not. Amen.