Tag Archives: idolatry

How to Pray for People in Power: Especially Ones We Disagree with Deeply

October 12th, 2022 | Dr. Charlie Self

Devout Christians and thoughtful people of all worldviews are aware that there is genuine conflict between good and evil in our world. At the same time, these forces find their way into human hearts and we see contradictory impulses in ourselves and others. Compassion for the downtrodden can devolve into control over too many areas of life. Freedom can become anarchistic hedonism. And good and evil are often veiled by political ideology and impulses toward power.

In the midst of real spiritual conflict, we must participate in the public square, make prudential decisions, and be good neighbors with those who differ deeply. There is one resource too often overlooked in our navigation of the rapids of conflict: courageous, fervent, genuine, and humble prayer for the very people we disagree with the most.

When Jesus called his followers to “pray for those who persecute you” (see Matthew 5:43-48), and St. Paul admonished followers of Jesus to, “Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse” they were not offer good advice for irritating moments – they were commanding a completely different disposition.

How do practice this godly attitude when we feel under assault all the time? What about the prophets who denounced evil and called out abuses of power? Good questions…and both are answered by a posture and practice of intercessory prayer. We forget that the prophets railed against idolatry, immorality, and injustice with tears, calling on God’s people to return to the Lord and have new hearts (Hosea 14). Of course, we stand against the slaughter of innocents through abortion. We must advocate for the marginalized and the voiceless, calling for systemic changes that open opportunities to flourish. But the power for change begins on our knees.

Our Almighty and Holy Lord had decided that our prayers matter as we are invited to join Jesus on his mission of reconciliation and restoration (Isaiah 61; 2 Corinthians 5:11-6:2). Jesus wanted prayer support in Garden of Gethsemane as the Passion reaches its climax in a coming crucifixion (Matthew 26:40-41; Luke 22:39-46). The Apostle Paul appreciated his friend’s prayers as carried out his mission (Philippians 1:19). Where do we start? Here are four insights for our prayers that will change our hearts and be used by the Lord to work in the lives of others.

First, we must turn our anger into active prayer, processing our reactions and choosing blessing over cursing. This is not easy! Every day we hear and see outrageous assertions and events and our first impulse is invective…and frankly, we think they deserve it! But. Changing the world begins with our own hearts and our choices to bless, pray for, and desire the best for those we are most upset with. Starting with our own inner examination of attitudes and motives, we are then positioned for influence.

Second, we are never the arbiter of anyone’s eternal destiny, but we can discern good and evil, renouncing wrong actions and beliefs with a desire for change in those who oppose us. Put simply, we must NOT say, “S/he is a jerk” or “S/he is hopelessly stupid”, etc. We CAN say, “S/he is wrong on this policy” or “I oppose what they are doing” WHILE we pray for them. Historically, this is one key reason President Trump was not re-elected in 2020. Some of his policies were wise and worked well, but his character, especially his personal insults, overtook competence and in reaction, we have our current leadership.

Third, we must believe that God can change hearts. We must desire forgiveness for ourselves and others and affirm that the Lord can redeem even current enemies of the truth. How long has it been since we sincerely prayed, “O Lord, open the eyes of those in power and help them see clearly”? This is more than agreeing with us – it is a deep desire to see all align with God’s kingdom.

Fourth, we must keep on praying, even when the tide rises against us. We may still experience injustice and even overt persecution. The key is being persecuted for humble obedience, not hubris and obnoxiousness! Yes, the public square is unfair and tilted against the truth of Christ. Jesus told us such days would come (John 16). St. Paul also mentioned the inversion and perversion of love and truth that can arise in a hostile world (Romans 1:18-32; I Timothy 4:1-3; 2 Timothy 3:10-13). We do not have a guarantee of worldly success. We do, however, have an eternal hope that animates our current obedience, knowing that all will be well in the end (Romans 8:26-39).

This call for prayer is not a retreat from activism. It is the animating power underneath our pronouncements, the heavenly resource that will strengthen our wise efforts. We love testimonies of transformation as new converts discover liberation in Christ. Will we desire this freedom for all around us?

Real Questions, Thoughtful Answers, Part 4: The Church as a Welcoming and Holy Community

December 9th, 2021 | Dr. Charlie Self

A friend asked recently, “How does the church love everyone and maintain the holy standards of Jesus for believers in the church? We say, “Welcome!” and sincerely desire that everyone feel the warmth of Christ’s love through us. At the same time, when we call people to believe the gospel and follow Christ wholeheartedly, there are moral absolutes that many unbelievers think make us intolerant. What is a way forward?”

A great question, and even the most thoughtful answer will still upset some! We live in a world where meaning is malleable and morality is relative. We live with competing world views and many looking at Christianity with hostility or indifference, seeing it in the rearview mirror of history.

It is essential that we define and integrate two key concepts so that we are loyal to the timeless faith once entrusted to the saints (I Corinthians 15:1-6; Jude 3) and timely in our presentation of truth with love, knowing that it is God’s will that the church reflect God’s glory, with women and men from all backgrounds, classes, cultures, and ethnicities (Galatians 3:28-4:7; Ephesians 2:11-21; 3:3-10; Revelation 7:9).

Hospitality to All

The first concept is the biblical call to hospitality: we welcome all seekers from any and every background to experience the love of Christ in community and discover, in the words of Augustine, “You have made us for Yourself, and our heart is restless until it rests in You.” Both Old and New Testaments call upon God’s people to love and serve the “outsiders” in their midst. Moses’ marriage, the stories of Naaman the Syrian healed by the Prophet Elijah and Ruth the Moabite convert, and the Book of Jonah were provocative reminders to God’s elect that they were chosen as a light to all nations (Isaiah 42-43, 49; 60-61). F.F. Bruce said it well a generation ago: God did not choose Israel to be an exclusive community, but that through them all nations would be blessed. The journeys of Jesus and the Apostles in Luke-Acts reinforce this embracing of all people. Luke 4, 7 and 19 find Jesus commending the faith of outsiders, welcoming the outcast, and challenging his fellow Jews to learn from them. The progress of mission in Acts moves from a Jewish prayer meeting to a universal faith. For almost 2000 years the church has failed deeply and at times succeeded miraculously in experiencing the new sociology where former enemies are friends and diverse classes and cultures find community in the power of the Holy Spirit.

Thoughtful believers affirm the wonder of the beautiful community the Holy Spirit creates when all are welcome and we dedicate ourselves to removing all human barriers to inclusion and empowerment (Ephesians 2:11-21; 3:3-10). Even more, we aim that diversity is not symbolic but substantive, not window dressing to assuage majority guilt, but in the water of the community as faith and baptism unite believers.

Practically, this means we welcome spiritual seekers and are unafraid to answer tough questions. We see every person we encounter as both beautiful and broken: a divine image-bearer and in need of the saving grace of Christ (Genesis 1-2; Psalm 8; Romans 3:21-31). We aspire to see all gospel churches filled with all kinds of people experiencing reconciliation, redemption, and restoration through the gospel and being included in the community (II Corinthians 5:11-6:2).

The call to follow

The second concept is a companion to the first: following Jesus requires the believer to die to their sovereignty – letting go of self-will, sinful actions and attitudes – and live under God’s loving and holy rule as a new creation in Christ, a member of the Body of Christ, and one liberated from darkness and called in to the light of faith and truth (II Corinthians 5:17; Colossians 1:15-23; Ephesians 4:1-12; 22-24). Put simply, being a Christ-follower includes obedience to God’s Word and a love for the ways of God – principles and practices that are much different that the unbelieving world.

We confess that too often the church has imposed religious traditions that are not rooted in the grace and truth of the Scriptures. With humility, we must repent of sometimes either being more religious than Jesus or making excuses for our proclivities toward idolatry, immorality, and injustice (Isaiah 44; Amos 2, 4: I John 5).

With love and grace, the church does promote the clear moral absolutes of Scripture. The Bible is replete with even the heroes of faith failing miserably. This does not however, change the divine standard or allow for excuses. When we fail, we are called to repent and allow the community to restore us (Galatians 6). If someone confesses Christ as Lord, they are incorporated into the Body of Christ and called to accountability in the local church (I Corinthians). Old beliefs and habits, attitudes and actions now yield to King Jesus, who calls us to a much better way – the way of humility and joy (Mark 10:45).

Women and men who come to our churches carry burdens and scars, histories of hurt, the strongholds of false ideologies and religions, as well as amazing potential as those for whom Christ died. We welcome all – and we call ALL to repentance and renewal, unselfish love and holiness born of gratitude for God’s grace (Deuteronomy 10:12-13; Ephesians 4:1-6). Here are some examples of what changes when Jesus is Lord:

Gospel grace means sexual ethics are now celibacy for singles and fidelity in biblical marriages…and the community will walk with people from all arenas of gender identity as they learn conformity to Christ (not fallen subcultural norms).
Business ethics change completely as all work is now for God’s glory and the good of others.
Relationships of all kinds change for the better as unselfish love and wisdom guide deeds and words instead of selfish advancement.
Political service is now for the common good, not personal power.
The creative arts are unleashed, exposing our deep wounds and offering hope and healing.

Compassion without compromise and patient pilgrimage are the order of the day, in a world where inversion and perversion are celebrated (Romans 1:18-32). The early church faced similar challenges and rose to the occasion well. The Acts 15 council united Jew and Gentile around a common faith and morality. Gentiles did not need to become Jews to be included in the community and Jews did not need to reject their heritage. All followers of Christ were expected to say no to any other gods, reject sexual immorality, and live at peace with each other (I Corinthians 8-10).

Historians say that the reason Christianity grew in influence in the Roman Empire was the love and morality of the believers. Julian the Apostate, a pagan Emperor in the 360s AD, lamented that he could not rally people around the old Roman gods and virtues the way Christians could mobilize their communities for good. A century earlier, Roman governors in a variety of provinces asked that they be allowed to delay persecution of Christians because the Christians were helping serve the victims of the plague. The incarnational apologetic of a changed life and virtues born of gratitude are powerful demonstrations to God’s grace.

In sum, we are called to joyful hospitality, opening our communities to people of every background. We are also called to articulate clearly the holy love expected of followers of Jesus and aspire to the obedience of faith. We will be met with opposition, declared intolerant, and often marginalized for our “backward views.” In the words of N.T. Wright, we must remind ourselves and the world around us that the ethics of Scripture are the “radical” ones and represent a departure from the norms of pagan (and 21^st C. neo-pagan) culture.

May we discern well how to welcome all around us and embrace the cross in our discipleship.

A Prayer of Consecration

January 24th, 2021 | Dr. Charlie Self

As we lament and repent, we are also called to a new hope, a new obedience rooted in love and the fear of the Lord. Here is a prayer for us to align ourselves with God’s reign. In the coming weeks I will be offering serious critiques of issues and policies from the new administration, as well as insights on geopolitical hot spots around the world. All of this must be rooted in prayer.

Holy and Loving Lord,

We offer these words of consecration with humility, trusting only in your mercy. We plead that you will empower us to put off all that enslaves and ensnares us, and put on a new heart, mind, and will that honor you and serve others well. Help us, O God:

To put off all idolatry. Forgive us for crafting a deity to our own liking, either reducing you to a feeling or capitulating to fatalism. We put on awe and reverence and submit to you on your terms. We put off using our perceptions of your guidance as an excuse for manipulation of power. We put boldness and courage that aims to serve. We put off the idols of ideology, cherry-picking Bible verses to suit our opinions and refusing to listen to the voices of others who also cry out to you. We put on engagement in the public square with prophetic distance, allowing us to confirm and critique from a pure heart. We put off the idolatry of self-fulfillment, choosing to follow in the pathway of Jesus, who, secure in his identity, became a servant, our sacrifice for sin, and now as the Risen Lord, a preview of our future.
To put off all immorality. Forgive us for excusing the sins of those we like and magnifying the mistakes of those we hate. Forgive us for replacing intimacy with you with unholy substitutes objectifying others and escaping from reality. We put on agape love, seeing everyone we meet as sister or brother made in your image. We put on delight in prayer, learning to listen to you as well as pour out our hearts. We put off the immorality of greed and lust for power and put on the virtues of diligence, generosity, and stewardship of your gifts and opportunities.
To put off all injustice. Forgive us for blindness to systems that keep too many from access, equity, and opportunity. Help us put on advocacy and actions so all can flourish. Forgive us for ceremonial gestures without substance and hospitality that is hollow, expecting others to conform to our expectations. We put on listening ears, and an open table where you are present. We put off avoiding uncomfortable contemporary and historical issues and our tendencies to choose narratives that conform to our preferences. We put on a fearless pursuit of the truth, knowing you are at work in and through all circumstances.

Gracious Lord, empower our repentance and resolve. Keep our hearts tender and our minds discerning. We put off our self-deception that displaces your eternal principles with our human preferences. We put off naïve nationalism and visceral hatred of our country and put on humility for our deep flaws and hopefulness that our highest values may be realized. Have mercy on our land, and every land. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.