The Healing Judgment

Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. -Luke 9:23-24 (NIV)

I read this quote from Dietrich Bonhoeffer about a week ago and it has been working on me, kneading my soul as I have watched those who claim the name of Christ go stumbling off cliffs in giant numbers, declaring that no one should have to deny himself, no one should have to lay down his life. It is not the claims of "equal rights" that bother me. It is the decision to not only let others take their own lives, but to hand them the weapon and pat them on the back.

When another Christian falls into obvious sin, an admonition is imperative, because God’s Word demands it. The practice of discipline in the community of faith begins with friends who are close to one another. Words of admonition and reproach must be risked when a lapse from God’s Word in doctrine or life endangers a community that lives together, and with it the whole community of faith. Nothing can be more cruel than that leniency which abandons others to their sin. Nothing can be more compassionate than that severe reprimand which calls another Christian in one’s community back from the path of sin. When we allow nothing but God’s Word to stand between us, judging and helping, it is a service of mercy, an ultimate offer of genuine community. Then it is not we who are judging; God alone judges, and God’s judgment is helpful and healing. -Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Bonhoeffer's quote packs so much meaning because he speaks to us from a church that had continually refused to stand for truth and justice and then paid a terrible price for it. At the heart of the Reformation, Christ was denied, and a people put their immediate temporal desires above the work of Christ, and the entire nation paid.

I'm sad that our country is where it is at, but nations come and nations go. Ours is unique in the world, but not so unique that it can be everlasting, that it can avoid the pitfalls of humanity.

But when the church, when those who claim the name of Christ, abandon all fidelity to Him, and put their "needs" (consumer, sexual, emotional, etc...) above faithfulness to the Cross, what then?

One thing I've noticed in recent years is the Church's emphasis on Easter, the Resurrection, the Victory, while completely ignoring Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, the Vigil. You don't get Easter, you don't get resurrection, until you die. You have to pass through the crucifixion. Jesus did die for us. He did take our place, but He also told us we would have to die too.

Many who claim that God made them the way they are and they shouldn't have to change one thing about themselves would point to those of us who disagree and say we hold on to our petty sins of consumerism and judgmentalism and self-righteousness. And they are right. Many of us hold onto our idols and we are no different. We should hold ourselves up for examination. When others correct us, we shouldn't throw off their words with "Don't judge me." This very action brings judgement upon ourselves.

Today I will remember a Christ who said on this day in history: “Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.” (Luke 22:46) (NIV) Like the disciples, I'm tired. I'm weary. I am sick of praying for an unrepentant people. But I'm commanded to keep going. This is a Cross for me. 

Tomorrow, I will remember the death of our Lord. I will remember that there were two criminals put to death on either side of Him. Only one will be in heaven. The One who repented. 

Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.-Gal. 5:24 (NIV)