The Heart Matters

 

In San Diego, the right to gather in homes for fellowship and prayer is being called into question by the county government. Neighbors have filed complaints, citing parking problems and safety issues as the reason. Local officials agree. This group is a nuisance. They are breaking the rules.

Pastor David Jones claims that this small gathering of Christians does not qualify as large church assembly. “Full-blown” church services require permits which cost in the thousands of dollars. Pastor Jones believes that they are being unjustly harassed, even persecuted.

“We are talking about as little as five [people], a high meeting of 27, but on average 15,” explains Jones. “To find that the county says this is a code violation is really wrong.”

So, Pastor Dave has retained an attorney and could be taking this to federal court, if fines are enforced. He (as well as Miss California) are outraged – even shocked – that their first amendment rights are being violated. After all it’s America. Our rights are sacred. In fact, countless people have died and continue to die to preserve our Constitutional rights.

Arlington National Cemetery bears witness to the belief system that says, “Country First,” which is now a grassroots movement started by former POW John McCain.”  

We are at a moment of national crisis that will determine our future as a people and as a country. I have spent my life serving our nation and will continue to fight in order to right the path of our great country. America is worth fighting for. Nothing is inevitable here. We never give up. We never quit. We never hide from history. We make history.

Though many Christians would argue that God is first in their lives, fighting to preserve our national freedom is often at the heart of many conservative Christians. My own family has a long, distinguished military service record, a record I am very proud of, and yet, I question whether as Christians we should being so willing to take up the sword, or the lawyer, to defend our rights.

Why not stand firm and suffer the at the hands of an oppressive government? This pacifist approach, more often than not, wins the heart of watching world. Was it not the cruel torture and brutal crucifixions of the first Christ followers that moved the Roman world to compassion? Their undeserved suffering, moved hundreds upon thousands to embrace Christ as Lord. The spontaneous expansion of the “church” affirms this as fact. Did not our hearts weep for the Chinese as tanks bore down upon university students in Tiananmen Square?

In light of this perspective should not Pastor Jones and his congregation rejoice that they are suffering shame for Christ? Christ said:

“God blesses you when people mock you and persecute you and lie about you and say all sorts of evil things against you because you are my followers. Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets were persecuted in the same way. Matthew 5:11-12

What blessings await you when people hate you and exclude you and mock you and curse you as evil because you follow the Son of Man. When that happens, be happy! Yes, leap for joy! For a great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, their ancestors treated the ancient prophets that same way. Luke 6:22-23

Instead of whining and demanding  protection under the first amendment rights, should this congregation not continue to gather in neighborhoods, parks, and even more open venues? Be respectful, be faithful and be filled with joy. You are worthy to suffer for the name. Pastor Dave you should be dancing in the streets!

Being harassed and bullied never feels good. It is difficult. We just want to complain. We as humans instinctively defend our rights and privileges. If we are “dised,” we demand justice. However, as believers we are the no longer under the power and authority of the ruler of this world, who is Satan. We are part of the kingdom of God. We are the “called out ones.”  Romans 12:2 says, “We do not have to be conformed to the ways of this world, but we are continually transformed by the renewing of our minds.” We must learn to think in a radical, different way.

In this situation, the radical, yet loving stance, would be to continue to meet. If there are parking issues, try to be respectful of neighbors. Try car pooling. Explain why you believe what you believe, but do so out of humility and gentleness, not out of outrage or of haughty indignation. 

Above all be joy filled. Be so full of grace that it flows out from every pore of your person. Don’t go all legal on this issue. Just continue to meet, to pray, to fellowship, and to worship, in order to bring glory to God, so that all may be edified by the unity and love of the brethren.

So, pay to pray? Yes, there is a price to pay, but to pay a fine indicates assent that a law was broken. Has a law been broken? Perhaps. A better question is whose law may have been broken? Regardless, this small group should continue to meet for they are of the Kingdom of God. There may be consequences for such a pacifist response. Indeed, they should be willing to suffer the lawful consequences of continuing to gather.

Should they fight back? Peter and John were once confronted by the courts about preaching and teaching Christ crucified and raised:

But Peter and John replied, “Do you think God wants us to obey you rather than him? We cannot stop telling about everything we have seen and heard.” Acts 4:19-20

It is not a matter of fighting back. It is a matter of standing firm as members of the Kingdom of God. For as P&J stated so eloquently in Acts 4, we answer to Christ, not to men. What an honor, though uncomfortable, for this particular church to suffer for the name. Perhaps they should take note of how the early Christians in Acts 4 handled their civil harassment.

Peter and John return to their companions and retell of their trial before the high court. Upon hearing P&J’s tale, the believers raise their voices together and praise God. Unified in love and purpose, they acknowledge that these leaders were not against them, but rather these world leaders stand against Christ. They ask God to grant them ability to speak the Word with confidence.

They do not ask to get off from paying some penalty or for God to smite those terrible leaders. They ask they may speak the gospel with boldness. They aren’t all indignant that their rights as Americans were violated. They were not demanding justice. They merely desired to praise God and to preach him crucified and raised.

Guess what, immediately proceeding this event, this body of believers grew in both generosity and in numbers. This was a healthy, vibrant church. This is the opportunity set before this San Diego Fellowship.

So, am I shocked? Initially I shared Miss California’s angst, but an investigation of God’s word revealed the deeper truth. Peter said it best in 1Peter 4:12-13:

Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.

So if bringing glory and honor to God is the price to pay, then yes, we not only ought to pay to pray, but we should rejoice while in the midst of doing so.

---

Additional Information

Post a comment

Name: (required)

Email Address: (will not be published) (required)

URL:

Comments:

Notify me of followup comments via e-mail