Not a Tame God
It is a common misconception that God can be kept out of certain institutions or establishments. The superstition is an ancient one—that a deity is only present if its symbols are present. To the mind of ancient man, it was devastating to have his god’s temple or sacred shrine ransacked or pillaged, or to have public statues or memorials to the god devastated, because the removal of these lessened the power and authority of the god.
But is that the God we serve and worship?
It is a common misconception that God can be kept out of certain institutions or establishments. The superstition is an ancient one—that a deity is only present if its symbols are present. To the mind of ancient man, it was devastating to have his god’s temple or sacred shrine ransacked or pillaged, or to have public statues or memorials to the god devastated, because the removal of these lessened the power and authority of the god.
But is that the God we serve and worship?
Do we worship a God who is powerless if a portion of the Law (the Ten Commandments) is removed from a government office?
Do we worship a God who cannot act within institutions if the leaders of those institutions do not mandate prayer to Him?
Do we worship a God who is capable of being chased out, like a stray cat in the garage or unwanted squirrels in the attic?
He is bigger than this.
He is not a tame God.
We worship a God who came as a baby in a minority population of an ethnic group reeling from genocide lying in a manger. Visited by rough shepherds—who were as well regarded in their society as biker gangs are regarded by some in our society.
We worship a God who fled the land of promise as a babe to go to Egypt because the government could not tolerate his very existence.
We worship a God who was put to death in part because of a government degree. We worship a God who rose again on the third day because Death itself was not powerful enough to hold Him back.
We worship a God who is able to do mighty things.
We worship a God who has called us to aid Him in His work—not ask Him to bless the work on His behalf which we would like to accomplish.
Friends, we do not need to fight the “War on Christmas”. God has already been victorious over much more. Have we again so easily forgotten what He wants us to do, no matter what the season?
Let us remember what Jesus told us: “Then Jesus came up and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20).
Too often, we already evangelize in our society—but for the wrong groups or reasons. Remember, the word “evangelize” means “to advocate a cause with the object of making converts”.
How is it that we as a Church have sufficient energy to evangelize others to the cause of “The War on Christmas”, or the cause of “Vote for the correct political party” or “Support this Business” or “Support this charity” or “Join this church”, but insufficient energy and desire to do what He commanded?
We don’t have to continue this pattern.
We do not serve a tame God.
Therefore, we need not fall prey to the same superstitious fears of ancient man, who knew, deep down, that his god was a tame god, untrustworthy, unreliable.
Because we serve Him, let us be willing to be bold this Christmas season: to love as Christ loved others, to serve as Christ served others, and to be bold about fulfilling the Great Commission.
This Christmas, may we remember the babe in the manger. But may we also remember our true mission, and may we ever strive to fulfill it.
We do not serve a God whose power can be lessened or rendered ineffectual by the efforts of man.
Let’s stop acting like it.
