I used to spend time down at the Bible college at night when I was taking classes in the 90's. For some of the slots that I had free I would walk people to their cars and hang out with Lloyd who worked security at the school and Church. What a graced out guy. He had eagle eyes (I'm sure he still does) and He knew all the characters in the area and around the Church.
Sometimes I would go with Him to the bank to do deposits for the Church and when we would ride there he listened to the police scanner. He was very edifying and safety was his ministry. He was keenly aware of danger and cared deeply for people.
Our Pastor however never spoke about the characters that sometimes wandered through the parking lot outside the Church and He never listened to the police scanner... Maybe because he had Lloyd and the others there to do that for Him. He spoke about hope, healing and missions. He talked about God, redemption and the Bible. He covered danger from the pulpit but the Church was made to feel like a safe place.
While danger must be addressed and it is important to address it. It can't be emphasized as a major emphasis.
The folks that are hurting in Oklahoma are no doubt talking a lot about the Tornado that devastated their homes and lives. Our hearts go out and our prayers go up for those folks. Tornado talk will go on for a while and then hopefully life will begin again and they will talk about it less and less. If it is the Tornado this.. and the Tornado that... and it goes on and on for years and decades in a household as a main topic of conversation it will be a sad household with few joyful pictures of children playing and water gun fights.
If there are burglaries in my area and people are having their homes broken into I will have a conversation about it with my family or more than one. We will lock the basement windows and not leave the garage door open but other than the precautions we will go on with our lives in peace and joy (and rebound). I'm not driving around my neighborhood with a police scanner and it won't be the main topic at dinner every night.
But, then again that is not my ministry. Not everyone has Lloyd's calling.
Paul lived His life under Roman rule. The Roman government was not kind. Individual freedom were not valued. The day to day news likely carried horrific stories about atrocities that would sicken us if we heard about them. You don't see much mentioned in Paul's writings. He exposed the cosmic system underneath the system you see on the surface.
He had better things to focus on.
"For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Whoever thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men. So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding." Romans 14:17-19 ESV
The kingdom of God is about peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Tares are a footnote... and so are false teachers and legalism and carnality. Bad government will pass away.
Satan and the whole demonic host is a footnote in history. Redemption and glory will be the main themes. Grace and mercy will be heavily emphasized. Much will be written about Jesus and people of faith functioning in faith and revealing eternal things in time and space.
Yes. The victors will write the history that is remembered. In this case the victor is the righteous judge and King of Kings.
By all means let us right wrongs and protect freedoms. Let's live wisely and safely. Let's clean up the messes that need to be cleaned up and help folks rebuild their lives. Too many are hungry and sick. Let's feed, help, love and bind up wounds. Let us showcase the eternal while doing it. Let's emphasize the safety we have in the Savior as a main topic. He is the one who will be remembered. If we make Him a footnote in our day to day conversation we have the whole thing upside down.
"Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the kingdom of God." Luke 9:60 KJV
*A special thank you to all the Lloyds out there that make doing this possible
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