Do you hear the people sing?
Singing the song of angry men?
It is the music of a people who will not be slaves again!
When the beating of your heart echoes the beating of the drums,
there is a life about to start when tomorrow comes. *
History is rich with examples of people passionately fighting for their freedom – some successful, others tragic failures. Literature and movies capture our hearts and imagination with tales of brave revolts against tyranny and injustice. From William Wallace to Martin Luther King, Jr., from George Washington to Nelson Mandela; we revere the freedom fighter. What follows is not intended to delegitimize any of these legacies. I recognize that I enjoy many freedoms today because of people who were willing to sacrifice everything to fight for the cause of freedom in its various forms. Intentionally or unintentionally, every individual who rises up for the cause of freedom imitates Jesus, humanity’s ultimate Freedom Fighter!
Why does the romantic concept of “The Freedom Fighter” resonate so deeply in the human psyche?
As human beings, we have a natural rebellion against limitations. Parents struggle to prevail against the strong-willed toddler who does not want to eat his dinner, share toys, ride in a car seat, or go to bed. Defiant teens rebel against curfews, restrictions on where they can go, what they can do, and with whom they can do it. Young college students assert that parents no longer have a right to exercise authority over their life choices, but are not equally passionate about relinquishing parental resources. There are endless power struggles in the workplace, law enforcement, government, and even within our marriages. Wherever there is authority, whether it be just or unjust, there will be resistance. No rule or law is safe from the tides of resentment and rebellion. Every time a line is drawn in the sand, no matter how noble, there will be those who make it their crusade to destroy it.
In the garden of Eden, Satan tempted Adam and Eve with the one thing that God had denied them, the one limitation on their otherwise unlimited freedom. One restriction was one too many! Ever since that first act of defiance, war has raged in the hearts and minds of people of all age, status, or creed. We have an inborn desire to be free of limitations imposed by any outside entity, even that of our creator.
As culture wars are fought around the world, Christians must understand the nature of the battle.
First, there is a tragic part of any war that is often forgotten when stark lines are drawn between “us” and “them”. Sometimes, people choose a side based on limited information, deliberate misinformation, or simply a legacy of birth. Once devoted to the cause, such passion is rarely motivated by the true nature of the conflict, but by an unbalanced store of information in the mind. Perception becomes a prison, with little hope for release.
In spiritual warfare, we often characterize people as waging war against God in general, or Christianity in particular. We have to remind ourselves that many of our opponents have a very different perception of the battle. Many see themselves as freedom fighters! Satan is a master of deception and discontent. The same tactics that worked against Adam and Eve continue to work generation after generation. Although his methods may differ slightly, our real enemy wages the same war against believers and non-believers alike. It is a war of perception. He wants us to see those opposing us as evil and unworthy of any measure of respect. On both sides of the battle, he parades the most depraved examples of humanity before hearts and minds that are all too eager to identify these individuals as standard-bearers.
Jesus warned us about having such a mindset. If we embrace the paradox of being both “free from sin” but a “slave to righteousness,” then we must recognize that this concept makes little or no sense to those who have not experienced such freedom. The thought of being a slave to anything or anyone is considered a gross violation of the dignity and rights of the individual. Our critics reject the fact there are only two kingdoms and everyone will be a subject of one or the other. They are fighting for an imaginary kingdom with (perhaps) a God who loves unconditionally, and does not disrespect the individual by infringing on personal freedom! And all too often, these freedom fighters are more passionate about their freedom from God (or from an authoritative God) than we are about our freedom in Him!
Christians need to look at people through the eyes of the one whose name they gladly proclaim. He looked upon the crowds as “sheep without a shepherd,” and he “had compassion on them.” A lone sheep may be theoretically “free,” but the coveted freedom is short-lived. Sheep need a shepherd! We desperately need to see people through the eyes of Jesus. If we do not have the mind and heart of the shepherd, we are not equipped to carry his message in this world.
It is a tragedy that kingdoms of the world have invoked the name of Jesus while committing atrocities that defy everything he taught. Such abominable deeds are still occurring today, whether by the hand of individuals, groups, or nations. It may be on a much smaller scale, but the name and testimony of Jesus are also disgraced daily by the very people who bear his name. Social media has opened a whole new world of weaponry that we often utilize without concern for the consequences. Words are powerful, and the ripple effects can be devastating!
We have an enemy who is skilled in recognizing personal weakness, who delights in baiting traps to ensnare sincere individuals and wreak havoc in this world. He presents imposters and immature or misinformed individuals as the sole representatives of the body of Christ. This is not the truth! The hands and feet of Jesus are still hard at work in this world. There are dedicated Christians fighting tirelessly on every front where Christianity and its values are being attacked. They are selflessly pouring out their lives to honor Jesus and his mission, and they deserve all of the respect and support the body of Christ can provide.
However, those who pick up the weapons of the world, using hateful or vulgar names, provoking conflict, and unwittingly degrading the reputation of Jesus, are not serving his purposes. Recall that there were only two groups of people that Jesus openly rebuked: his closest followers and those who used either the name or the house of God to serve their own selfish purposes!
Still, we cannot forget that the call to “Repent” is at the heart of the gospel, defining not only the message of John the Baptist but also that of Jesus himself. To remove this aspect of the gospel is to offer a powerless imitation of it, but its inclusion brings consequences. As a result, an inoffensive gospel flourishes while a truthful one is maligned. The call to repent will always bring a scathing response from hearts not willing to receive it. The Christian response to such condemnation is vitally important.
The outspoken apostle Peter addressed this issue when writing to the persecuted church of his day.
But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. For it is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. (1 Peter 3:15)
How can we practice “gentleness and respect” in today’s hostile climate? One answer to this dilemma was popularized several years ago utilizing four simple words: “What would Jesus do?”
But such a simplified answer leaves the application vulnerable to internal biases of every extreme.
What are some concrete, practical ways to rise to this challenge?
Immerse yourself in the gospels!
Seek intimate knowledge of the Jesus who had compassion on the crowds, who saw a faithful disciple in a tax collector, recognized and rewarded great faith in people considered to be enemies of his own people, and believed a man set free from demons could have a great testimony in his hometown, despite his shameful past. Read and re-read! Look for the mind and heart of Jesus!
Respond to antagonistic or inaccurate statements very selectively.
Often, there is nothing to be gained by responding at all, but we allow ourselves to be baited into useless arguments. Our God does not need us to take up arms against every blasphemous word spoken against him. Like Peter, we want to draw our sword in defense of our Lord, but there are times when we must leave it sheathed. (Otherwise, Jesus has to repair the damaged ears of innocent bystanders.)
If the question or criticism is sincere, or if an intelligent response may impact or equip others, respond as diplomatically as possible without compromising the truth. However, there is no need to present every argument in a single response. Sprinkle a little salt, and wait.
Surround yourself with people who will hold you accountable for both your words and your actions.
This accountability is needed in all aspects of Christian life. Unfortunately, “admonishing one another” is somewhat of a lost art in modern Christian culture. We have gravitated to the extremes of either ignoring the sin or casting out the sinner. When it comes to issues such as divisiveness, arrogance, or lack of genuine compassion, the tendency is to avoid addressing the sin. Cultivate relationships that not only permit freedom to “rebuke one another in love,” but expect it. Keep in mind that with that expectation must come the commitment to receive and consider such admonition without defensiveness or resentment.
Respect the passion of the person, even if it is based on lies of the enemy of their souls.
Always seek to build a bridge! Sometimes, this is through actual friendships, but we can also cultivate compassion by reading stories, listening to testimonies, and through prayer for the very people we are inclined to avoid, disrespect, or in today’s vernacular, hate. When wisdom and restraint are exercised, social media can provide unlimited opportunities for bridge-building! Remember that our critics have given “the cause” a revered place deep inside of them, and it cannot be carelessly ripped out without damaging the individual and destroying bridge-building opportunities in the process.
Lastly, recognize that your Father has an infinitely broader vision than you do, and trust his leading.
Remember that the early church suffered terribly at the hand of a passionate Pharisee named Saul of Tarsus. In his mercy, God did not condemn Saul as merely an enemy of his people and his message; instead, he revealed truth and gave purpose to his passions. When the heart of the enemy of the gospel was divinely prepared to receive a new identity, God used a fearful, but obedient servant named Ananias to welcome him into the fellowship of believers. The depth of reconciliation extended in his greeting alone was profound!
“Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”
Ananias cast aside powerful emotions such as fear, resentment, and desire for justice to address his persecutor as a brother. Can you imagine how these words must have impacted the man whose stellar foundations had just been ripped out from under him, leaving him blind, confused, and completely vulnerable to the very people who had every reason to hate him?
There are many equally passionate “freedom fighters” out in the world today. They can be intimidating, offensive, and quite threatening to the fragile equilibrium we struggle to maintain in our circles of influence. We need to recognize the fact that only God knows which ones will one day be great servants in his kingdom! Don’t miss an opportunity to be part of someone’s story of redemption!
*Do You Hear the People Sing? Lyrics by Alain Boublil, Jean Marc Natel and Herbert Kretzmer, from “Les Miserables”
Featured image by Max Ilienerwise
Comments are closed.