What is not OK ...

Monday, Oct 29, 2018. In the political realm we are used to people fighting strongly with each other. Without some ferocity, you cannot reach anything in this framework. You need some kind of toughness. “If you cannot stand the heat, stay out of the kitchen!” That is what it takes to realize any kind of leadership.

Biblical Ferocity …

When you look into the biblical books, they are not all just “nice”! They are touch. You find some kind of biblical ferocity, some kind of ferocity in the words of God. No, injustice, corruption and evil is not acceptable for the Lord. He will oppose it strongly.

The book of Isaiah starts with quite tough words! Look into this book, a book where God, the father, has to say sincere and difficult words to his children, the people of Israel:

Ah, sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, offspring of evildoers, children who deal corruptly! They have forsaken the Lord, they have despised the Holy One of Israel, they are utterly estranged. (Isaiah 1, 4)

You might think that Israel is of special guilt? No, it is just the people who are closest to the Lord, and there guilt and inequity will be most clear. All of us, the other nations, are much worse! We all are on a path much more difficult and laden with problems.

Encouragement to do Good …

What are words about sin for you? They can be a nuisance. They can can be disturbing. They can be distracting and repellent. We do not want to hear about our sins. We will find many arguments why the speaker is not good, why he himself is doing wrong. The mechanisms of defense are too clear, too common, they are working always in the same way.

Yet, words about our failures are usually quite right. We fail. We do not do what would be needed. We lack justice. We lack love. We lack truth and truthfulness. We lack fidelity. The whole reality of this world is difficult to bear, so trying to hide or to get around it is quite human.

Yet, in all of it, there is a better way. It is called “the way in Christ”. In Jesus, we are forgiven. In him, we can accept truth, justice and holiness. In him, we can clearly see and admit where we fail - in many things. Since in him we are holy and just. In him, we are new creations. It is difficult to describe, a reality beyond our reality, and yet in the middle of all we know and are!

The word about Christ Jesus is unbelievable. It is a strong fortress. It is a door to go through. It is a source of life, living water flowing day by day. It is a source of healing, for my soul and my body. It is fantastic new ground. A bright light, and warm gentle source. We are invited to find our home here. Breathtaking! (Roland Potthast) ... further texts