This morning, I started reading through Martin Luther King’s letter from a Birmingham Jail. I was shocked and saddened to see his pain and yet was invigorated to see his faith and resolve to see a new day for our cities and country. His desire to see our country rid of racism become a reality or at least be given rights of equality as any other man in America.
One statement he wrote stuck with me and is worth sharing with others who would say they are Christians pursuing to grow in their faith. MLK, went on to say that the KKK wasn’t as much a problem as the Moderate, indifferent White people. Their response was… “Be quiet, don’t protest, this isn’t a good time to speak out against our country.” MLK saw the pressing dangers not so much in men with white masks but men in church pews and political offices that didn’t care to do a thing. These are men that were Christians and maybe even so called mature in their faith, yet their sins weren’t secret KKK meetings, but their sins before God was doing NOTHING. This I am sure was even more offensive to God, than a sin of indifference.
I am reminded of the subtle sins of Christians all around me including myself. For many of us, our sins of the past have long been tamed; drunkenness, sexual immorality, coarse joking and offensive language, lying stealing etc.
Yet, the God I read about in our Bible says that he knows the heart of man, and weighs his thoughts and reads right through us. So He sees our pride, our arrogance, or laziness and indifference. He see passivity in the hearts of men and He pukes. He rejects religion. Absolutely hates it, he wants the heart, the passion and a pure pursuit of reckless holiness for His people.
As a maturing Christian, I am seeing the need to not just look for my obvious sins of misbehavior, but look to the root of my sins and the more subtle ones. When I find them and see them I am saddened and concerned. I can operate so civilly, not causing a ruckus in the Christian Community or my family and friends, and yet God sees right through me, and he despises them. I think God see things like MLK did. He’s not as concerned about the obvious sins, they are obvious! He is really concerned about the subtle sins that fester and settle and stain, deep into our daily thoughts, attitudes, affections and desires of the heart. These I am convinced are far more dangerous in our church than the obvious ones.
Jesus and the Cross is our solution. Sin is offensive to God, hidden ones and obvious ones all. We can give Jesus our sin and he gives us righteousness. By His blood we are washed white as snow. By the cross, rebels are redeemed, sinners made saints. Our hope and help is here.
Prayer…
Oh God might you make us people of conviction and passion for truth and justice in our city, to speak truth and seek the good of all people in our city. Thank you for MLK, his example, his courage and perseverance for progress for the good of all mankind. Forgive me of my pride and my Ethno-centrist tendencies.
Help us to live out you call and live out our faith, globally engaged and connected Christians in our community, caring not simply about ourselves and people just like us, but people you love and call the least. Thank you for your grace and goodness. Lead our church Father in brining more of your kingdom on earth as it is in Heaven.
—Pastor Ryan
Other Resources
