Friday, January 08, 2016

Reflections on Christian Duties

The things that Christians are called to be and do in the world have a number of useful parallels in everyday life. 

The Christian evangelist is not unlike a sheriffs deputy tasked with serving a judicial summons. 

He is also, however, not unlike a postman, carrying a love letter from God to a wayward humanity. 

Just as a policeman is a relief for someone in trouble but a terror to someone in the middle of a crime, so the Christian, and the risen Lord whom he represents, is a comfort to those who soul thirsts after God, but a hateful reminder of the severe justice that faces evil to those whose hearts remain enslaved to sin.

Members of all three emergency services – ambulance, fire crews, and law-enforcement- respond to the scene of an accident. So also the Christian must carry with them at all times God's tender mercy to the sick and wounded, God's power over the raging elements both within and without, and God's justice.

In our system, EMT crews treat everyone, regardless of their guilt or innocence. 

Fire crews rescue everyone regardless of their fault in starting the fire.

It is the policeman who is tasked with proclaiming and enforcing the law, but he does not himself execute judgment – that is for a higher court.

It's the same for us. We bear witness to a higher law, even as we are engaged with the task of rescuing those in trouble and binding up their wounds.