Patient Endurance
AM Psalm 41, 52 • PM Psalm 44
Zech. 1:7-17 • Rev. 1:4-20 • Matt. 12:43-50
Reading John’s introduction to today’s passage from Revelation humbled me greatly. He sweeps us all up in the words, “I share with you in Jesus the persecution and the kingdom and the patient endurance that are ours in Jesus....” However, do we really belong there?
Today’s American Christians would be hard pressed to state with any degree of credibility that we have been persecuted for our beliefs. There may have been situations where we were uncomfortable or felt put upon because of our faith but none of us have faced the kind of oppression or potential death that early Christians of John’s time, and later, confronted. Quite the contrary, today we see many instances where Christians, especially those in the United States and those with power, are the ones repressing people of other faiths (or no faith) or simply ones that are considered in their view “other.” Sadly, in many instances their fellow Christians are caught up in those actions. As a devout Christian and a gay man, I have certainly felt the ire of certain Christians. Recently, a state’s lieutenant governor in a speech at a Baptist church referred to LGBTQ+ individuals as “filth” and encouraged Christians (Christians as he defines them) to “take control.” Ouch! Those actions make me angry…and sad. In the past few months, we have seen concerted efforts in a large number of state legislatures, including our own, to take away rights and “lower the hammer” on many marginalized people, minorities and women, all the while stating Christian or so called “family values” as one rationale. In truth what is overwhelmingly driving all this is fear: fear of the unknown, fear of the other, fear of losing control, fear of the non-traditional.
Where is the love in these actions?
Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it, Love thy neighbor as yourself. All the law and the prophets hang on these two commandments. (Matthew 22:37-40 NIV)
A few days ago in this space we read Paul’s clear unequivocal statement that “the most excellent way” is the way of love. The greatest of all human attributes is love. Love “always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” (I Corinthians 13 NIV). Turning to 1 John 4 we find the richest indictment of the type of actions noted above. John states that there is no fear in love; that perfect love drives out fear “because fear has to do with punishment.” John is adamant, you cannot love God and hate another. God IS love! And God loves all of us, the whole world with no reservations, so much that he sent his Son to die for us. (John 3:16).
As Cynthia Bourgeault puts it, Jesus is the court of final appeal. His harshest condemnation is for those who are so certain of their religious piety that they feel they must condemn others. “In the light of [Jesus’s] compassionate presence, people are set free to live their lives in strength and hope, regardless of whether they be considered outcasts by those in the ‘religious know’.” We must all move in the direction of loving all our neighbors as ourselves. Further, from Old Testament times that neighbor has always included the alien/stranger. (Numbers 15-16; Deuteronomy 10:17–19).
In light of all this, we simply cannot give up, nor can we let our faith waiver. As James said, “let steadfastness have its full effect.” (James 1:4 ESV). I refuse to cower in the face of these actions. I hope you do too. John also gives us encouragement. I was struck by the words “patient endurance”. The Bible is filled with similar words of inspiration and stories of people overcoming their circumstances and the powers that be to stand firm in their faith and to meet trials head on with courage. We should find solace in those victories. Later in Revelation, when things really get dicey in the fight for right, John states “This calls for patient endurance on the part of the saints who obey God’s commands and remain faithful to Jesus.” I don’t claim to be a saint or patient, but I certainly get the message.
Finally, I would encourage the leaders of our nation and our state to read and practice Psalm 139 23-24: “Search me O God and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me and lead me in the way everlasting.” What might they learn from this?
Patient endurance. I will always stand for love.
Written by Dennis McKinnie
I am grateful to have a church family like that of St. Paul’s who stands with me in love.
The Court of Final Appeal, Cynthia Bourgeault, October 22, 2019. Center For Action and Contemplation.