Disclaimer: The following “sermon” makes use of exampes drawn from the current political situation here in Madagascar. However it is not my intention to be political. I am using relevant examples from everyday life.
A while ago there was an article on one of the pro-TGV websites claiming that Ravalomanana is a Satanist. They even offered a copy of his initiation certificate. (I could probably make a similar certificate on MS Word in about 5 minutes.) Others claimed to have heard from “very very reliable sources” that Ravalomanana is not a Christian but either a animist (Technically the term animist is incorrect. In its widest sense Christians are also animists because we believe in “spirits.” African Tradtional Religion, ATR is a more accurate term.) or someone who practices syncretism. (Syncretism is when you try to merge several different religions and or philosophies into one coherent belief system. For example taking a bit if Christianity and a bit of ATR and form something new that removes the opposition between the two.)
The point that I tried to make in the previous paragraph is that there are people (some say many, some say few) who claim that in spite of his personal claims, Ravalomanana is not a Christian. Some might even argue that this is God’s punishment on him.
But….
This made me think a lot about who is and who is not a Christian. What makes you a Christian? And what actions absolutely disqualifies you from being a Christian? Murder, rape, robbery, lying, lusting after another women, a white lie, theft, dishonouring your mother and father, worshipping an idol, like e.g. your Star-sign, or even the Lotto, loving money or bad manners? Which one of these disqualifies someone from being a Christian? I’m probably only innocent on two or three of these charges.
You see I have a problem. It is not my job to prove who is a Christian. And it is definitely not my job to pass judgement and say who aren’t. If I decide A is a Christian but B is not, then I am appointing myself as judge, and putting myself on level with the Judge, Jesus. (That would be the ultimate coup d’etat, wouldn’t it?)
My experience is that when I judge another person, it is usually to distract attention from my own failures. At least I don’t drink and swear like C. (But meanwhile back at the ranch, I am a hypocrite and a Pharisee.) I repeat again, this is what I have noticed in my life. I don’t know if it also holds true in yours.
Francis Schaeffer, one of the greatest Christian philosophers, apparently said, I do not know how little one needs to know (believe) to be saved.
I find that we often have all these rules that have to be obeyed. Do A,B,C,D and E, but most definitely don’t do F,G,H,I and J. And no, I am not saying that faith and deeds are separate. I love James. He is 100% correct in saying that the one cannot survive/exist without the other.
Back to my life. At least I am not like Elias, of James (no this is another one), or Jonah (also another one), or that fat policeman on the corner always demanding bribes, or that …..
“Don’t pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults–unless, of course, you want the same treatment. That critical spirit has a way of boomeranging. It’s easy to see a smudge on your neighbor’s face and be oblivious to the ugly sneer on your own. Do you have the nerve to say, ‘Let me wash your face for you,’ when your own face is distorted by contempt? It’s this whole traveling road-show mentality all over again, playing a holier-than-thou part instead of just living your part. Wipe that ugly sneer off your own face, and you might be fit to offer a washcloth to your neighbor.
(Mat 7:1-5) The Message (Nearly wrote The Massage, not quite the same)
My response? Hopefully I can join the tax collector in praying:
‘God, be merciful to me, sinner that I am!’
(Luk 18:13) NET Bible
Filed under: Musings
