Changed lives make a difference

 

2 Samuel 15; Psalm 69; Ezekiel 22; 2 Corinthians 8

 The first passage today tells how the son of king David betrayed him. Pretending to be glad because he was brought home after he fled from killing his half-brother, Absalom began to woo the people of Israel with the intent of taking over his father’s throne.

The second passage is David’s prayer for God to act against those who turned against God and against him. There is no indication when he wrote this psalm yet it could express how he felt as Absalom did what he did. I can scarce imagine it yet admire this man because he was more concerned about God’s people suffering persecution and the city of Jerusalem being harmed than he was for his own life.

The third passage is not any happier. This one sounds much like today’s news and gives me a knot in my stomach. God soundly condemns His people for their sin. He calls them a reproach to the nations for their idolatry, shameful treatment of their elders, orphans and widows, profaning the Sabbaths, lewd sexual sins, dishonest financial gain and extortion, false teaching, lying divinations from the prophets, and religious profanity and hypocrisy. He says:

And I sought for a man among them who should build up the wall and stand in the breach before me for the land, that I should not destroy it, but I found none. Therefore I have poured out my indignation upon them. I have consumed them with the fire of my wrath. I have returned their way upon their heads, declares the Lord God.” (Ezekiel 22:30–31)

This time the Lord is going to severely deal with this sin by sending the people into exile in Babylon. Babylon was and still is a symbol of all that opposes God and righteousness. Even though the stories of David and of Israel and exile are from long ago, they have elements of contemporary life. The news of what is happening in our world is much the same yet the cry of godly people is also the same. Those who listen to the Lord are praying and warning God’s people. Those who have drifted into disobedience and sin have put a black mark on the reputation of the church.

We need to get our act together lest we become like the ancient people of God whose lives wound up being no different than the idolatry and sin of their enemies. Instead of a physical exile, ours is spiritual, an exile into living in the world and opposing God rather than being distinctive as God’s people.

The New Testament passage is about generosity and taking care of one another. This is a command to Christians illustrating to a sinful world that having Jesus Christ in our lives makes a difference. Paul said:

“ . . . . it is acceptable according to what a person has, not according to what he does not have. For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened, but that as a matter of fairness your abundance at the present time should supply their need, so that their abundance may supply your need, that there may be fairness. As it is written, ‘Whoever gathered much had nothing left over, and whoever gathered little had no lack.’” (2 Corinthians 8:12–15)

In a dog-eat-dog world, Christians caring for one another makes a powerful statement. These verses are followed by the example of some, not significant leaders as we might define significance, but they show us how to be bright lights in a dark place . . .

But thanks be to God, who put into the heart of Titus the same earnest care I have for you. For he not only accepted our appeal but being himself very earnest he is going to you of his own accord. With him we are sending the brother who is famous among all the churches for his preaching of the gospel. And not only that, but he has been appointed by the churches to travel with us as we carry out this act of grace that is being ministered by us, for the glory of the Lord himself and to show our good will. We take this course so that no one should blame us about this generous gift that is being administered by us, for we aim at what is honorable not only in the Lord’s sight but also in the sight of man. And with them we are sending our brother whom we have often tested and found earnest in many matters, but who is now more earnest than ever because of his great confidence in you. As for Titus, he is my partner and fellow worker for your benefit. And as for our brothers, they are messengers of the churches, the glory of Christ. So give proof before the churches of your love and of our boasting about you to these men. (2 Corinthians 8:16–24, italics mine)

APPLY: Care for other Christians like these people who made God’s glory and loving others a priority. Be an honorable person, earnest and confident in other Christians, not critical but seeking their benefit to the glory of God.