From: The Pastor’s Heart
Title: “Take a STAND”
Yesterday, the democratic members of the United States House of Representatives staged a
‘Sit-In’ to try and force Congress to take a vote on gun legislation. Since the Republican
Party is the majority party, they control what bills are sent to the floor to be voted on
during regular session. This is a first, at least in my lifetime, and it has captured the focus of
news media outlets all over the world. It’s a reminder of what our forefathers did in order
to fight for equality for all men regardless of their race, creed, or religion. It’s too early to
determine what affect this will have, if any, but I’m inspired that a stand was taken to this
magnitude.
If there is one prevailing truth about being a Christian is that we are called upon to take a
stand against sin and the doctrine of the anti-Christ. The position of righteousness,
however, should not find it’s footing in the opinion of man but rather in the will and word
of God. How we interpret the word of God is vital in determining what we should defend
and what position we should take as believers. So many, during the earthly ministry of
Jesus, had to be reprimanded for making incorrect judgements against their fellow man.
More often than not, they failed to understand the heart and depth of God’s love and
mercy and could only see the chastening side of Him.
Remember (St. John 8) when the angry mob drug a woman before Jesus who had been
caught in the act of adultery? They determined her guilt and punishment immediately and
tried to trap Jesus into responding in kind. He, however, stooped down, wrote something
in the dirt with His finger, then stood and said, “Let he that is without sin cast the first
stone.” The crowed, realizing they were not worthy to condemn this woman, dropped
their rocks on the ground and left. She heard the Master say, “Since they have not
condemned you, neither do I. Go your way and sin no more.”
Christ did not approve of her wrong doing, but a call for mercy in this case superseded a
call for condemnation. Before we move to destroy someone in word or deed for the sins of
their recent or distant past, let’s pause and remember the mercy and grace we received
from a Savior who looked to restore rather than remove. Jesus stood for this woman’s right
to be forgiven and even though He stood alone, His posturing was powerful and her life,
I’m sure, was forever changed.
Today you have the power to help someone find their place back in the community of
believers by promoting healing, love, understanding, and forgiveness. Is there someone in
your life that you’ve not forgiven? Time moves to fast and life is to short to waste in holding
on to something that’s destructive and divisive. You have a opportunity before you to
defend a principle of great importance to God and man. Your flesh may be telling you to
hold on to anger and revenge, but your spirit is saying make it right. Hey…Take a STAND!
EVERYTHING WE DO MOVING FORWARD WILL BE INTENTIONAL AND DRIVEN WITH
PURPOSE TO REPRESENT THE KINGDOM OF GOD IN THE BEST POSSIBLE LIGHT!
NOTHING WILL BE DONE WITH ENERGY LESS THAN OUR BEST AND EFFORT BELOW
OUR MAXIMUM POTENTIAL.
OUR SERVICE IS LOCAL, BUT OUR REACH IS GLOBAL – SO WE CANNOT REDUCE OUR
PRESENTATION DOWN TO WHAT’S CONVENIENT, BUT RATHER WE MUST RAISE IT TO
THAT WHICH IS EXPLOSIVE!
Get ready for major change that’s coming systematically, intellectually, purposefully, and
professionally. Nothing we do moving forward will be done haphazardly, sloppily, poorly,
or carnally.
We Are the LIGHT!
Sincerely,
Pastor J.E. Chandler, Sr.
(CEO/Pastor of MLCM)