Ezekiel talks about being a
watchman. Its hard today because the world tells us to mind our own business. We
are not to dissuade the wicked from their ways. We
are not to say anything to offend, even if by accident or ignorance.
That would be real easy if
being a Christian was only about God and me. Being a Christian is about us; we
are to love God by loving others. God tells us to be watchman. Jesus tells us
to be responsible for one another. Paul reminds us “loving
your neighbor” is helping each other stay on the path of following Jesus.
Love does no evil. It does
not judge even in being a watchman. But it’s not a job everybody wants. If we
don’t approach it right, with love, and a sense of unity and community, it can
be lonely job.
My daughter is the HR
Manager for a security company. She hires watchmen. The problem is not many
people are suited for the job. A watchman must have the right morals. A
watchman must be good and honest. A watchman must be a good person. Even when they
meet all these, a watchman can still become bored or fall asleep or just fail
to show up.
God calls us to be watchman
for our Christian family and the whole human community. It is a task that
cannot wait until others take it up. We must all share the responsibility
according to our gifts, abilities, and circumstances.
But sadly, even God’s
watchmen become bored, fall asleep, or just don’t show up. When this happens,
Ezekiel has warned us that the watchman will be responsible for the
circumstances. The world has skewed what is right. Look at the issues in the
public debate today. Many are the things of which we need to be vigilant.
Even in this debate, we are
to “love your neighbor as yourself.”
Striving to do what is good
is keeping the commandment. It’s hard because people don’t always know what is
good. People do not know how to love self so they cannot possibly know how to
love others. Since we do not know how to behave we are in doubt of what should
be done. And, the watchmen argue amongst themselves.
There is no perfect
relationship. Disagreements happen. We are not all saints.
That’s o.k. Jesus came for us
sinners to know by his example – to love the person who has wronged us and
always respect the other’s dignity. This is Jesus example of love that brings
people together.
Heed the example of God; do not harden your hearts against your brother and
sister when they do something wrong. The worst thing to do about a wrong is
brood about it; except, that’s what the world does.
Is it God and me or do I
love God by loving others?
God does not want us to be
only concerned about ourselves and only their spiritual life. God wants people
who are a part of the body of Christ and in full community.
In community we are called
to help one another grow. Community is family and a place that natures faith.
Community can be as few as two or three persons gathered
together in the name of Jesus.
Prayer is secret of unity
in Christ: unity of community, unity of church, unity of marriage, unity of
family. The saying “those who pray together stay together” is true.
The problem with the
watchman from the security company may be that they lack the unity of
community. At the locations where the watchmen are alone they don’t stay. But,
on the jobs, where there is community, watching and working with a sense of responsibility
for community, watchmen stay.
It’s not just about God and
me. Being a Christian is not just a purely private and personal affair even
though some people think and behave that way. Our relationship with Jesus
Christ is shouted out by the way we live and how we relate to other people. It
is living and loving in Christ; yet, still belonging to the community of faith
and the community of this world.
Love God by loving others.
May our prayers be unselfish! May our prayers be unifying! May prayers be for the whole human community!
Do I love God by loving
others; because, my brothers and sisters that is the secret of truly expressing
our love of God.
Yall be good yall be holy
and preach the gospel by the way we live and love. Amen.
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