July 11

Day 119: Treason

Continuing some thoughts from yesterday. (And I have no idea how I could wake up on a rainy Saturday morning thinking about this.) Bear with me.

When any "in the church" find themselves more captivated by and more trusting in terrestrial governments than they are with The celestial government, division will follow.

Each of us favor some people over others. Not because we necessarily like them better, but because they agree with our predetermined social or political (terrestrial) positions. They're "my kind of people." And the others are not.

Your agreement with me (my opinions, my chosen data sources, my lifestyle choices) results in me accepting you. Disagreement with me, however, moves you farther from me. If not spatially, at least relationally.

We know how to play nice. Our parents taught us to do so. Maybe school, maybe Church life has taught us to do so. But our own terrestrial opinions continue to color how we regard each other.

James 2:1 says, "Show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory."

The operative word, actually, is "Lord." The King of the celestial government is telling His subjects how to be with the other subjects. Show no favoritism.

2:4 continues with the inevitable results of our internal partiality. "Have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thought?"

In becoming "judges," we are rightly accused of trying to usurp an authority that is not ours to claim. This is the language of treason. Treason against the King.

When we trust our own opinions, twisted up with our own desires, we tend to see things that are not.

The prophet Ezekiel was told by God (in 13:2-3) to "prophesy against the prophets of Israel, who are prophesying, and say to those who prophesy from their own hearts: Hear the word of the LORD! Thus says the Lord God, Woe to the foolish prophets who follow their own spirit, and have seen nothing."

God is saying, these prophets have spoken only their own opinions, twisted up with their own desires.

Another level to this.

Ezekiel 13:6 says, "They have seen false visions and lying divinations. They say, 'Declares the LORD,' when the LORD has not sent them,..."

They're guilty of trying to put words in God's mouth. And the final indictment.

"...and yet they expect him [God] to fulfill their word."

This is trying to be god over God, and then making demands on Him.

Our efforts to self-justify our own opinions, while disregarding what God has already said, will result in stuff we may not want to acknowledge, let alone own ourselves. But results, none the less.

Division and distrust between the saints. Falsely speaking for God. Assuming God agrees with all of our terrestrial opinions. And, like false prophets, assuming God will make good on promises He did not make.

To be accused and guilty of treason is ultimately an untenable and unenviable position. It won't end well.

Perhaps we should devote more of this rainy Saturday to repenting from our treasonous behavior (?)

-Mike Rydman, Lead Pastor, Radiant Church | Juneau