When a newspaper article this week ran with the headline, ‘Scripture used to justify violence’, it was a sad reminder that some Christians have distorted the meaning of the Bible to serve their own sin.

The Bible is very clear: we are to love one another, and that there is no place for any abuse of anyone, in any situation.

In the letter to the Galatians, there is a stark description of the results of the life that come from the sinful nature: 

“sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.” (Galatians 5:19b-21)

Furthermore, the clear word from God is that husbands are to love their wives as sacrificially as Jesus loved the church, which means:

“…husbands ought to love their wives as they love their own bodies. For a man who loves his wife actually shows love for himself. No one hates his own body but feeds and cares for it, just as Christ cares for the church.” (Ephesians 5:28-29)

It is only in this context that Christian wives are told to submit to their husbands (Ephesians 5:22) in recognition of the weight of the responsibility given to the man to sacrificially love and lead his wife and family.

And, again, it is vital that we hear God’s word clearly: the husband’s role is to love his wife sacrificially… which means there is no place, ever, for any abuse, whether physical, verbal, or otherwise.

I strongly encourage all of us to visit the website knowdomesticabuse.church which has been produced by our own Anglican Church Diocese of Sydney, and in particular, please have a read of the ‘Use and Misuse of Scripture’ booklet.

And if you, or anyone you know, is experiencing domestic abuse of any form, please act to bring safety immediately… seeking the help of a trusted Christian leader or friend.

JODIE McNEILL

(Credit: Nenad Stojkovic via Flickr.com)

In most situations it’s distressing when we hear the sound of silence when we call out for help… or see if a loved one is OK after a major incident.

Rescuers at a recent tragedy reported hearing the sounds of mobile phones ringing in the pockets of unconscious victims… no doubt the calls of concerned and fearful friends and family.

In 1 Kings 19, Elijah waits to hear what the Lord will say about the sorry state of the kingdom of God… with great numbers of faithless followers, and enormous persecution.

Then, as he stands at Mount Sinai, the place where the Lord revealed his Ten Commandments to Moses, Elijah waits to hear a new word from the Lord about this difficult situation.

The Lord then sent a windstorm, an earthquake, and then a fire… but it was only in the silence that he ‘spoke’.

He didn’t give Elijah a new promise, because the old one was still living and active.

The great promises made to God’s people at the time of Abraham and the forefathers is still the same promise that applied to Elijah in that time of great trial.

For us, we sit on the other side of history, having seen the fulfilment of God’s great promises in the Lord Jesus… but we still endure times of pain and trials.

Yet, the fresh ‘word’ that the Lord gave to Elijah is the same ‘word’ he gives us today… silence… that points us to the living and active word of God that already speaks loudly to us and to our world.

He doesn’t need to give us new revelation, because we know all his promises, and we know what we’re waiting for when Jesus returns soon.

So, for us as followers of Christ, we must keep hearing the ‘old, old story’, and keep hoping and waiting for the return of Jesus, when he will bring justice to this world that rejects him, and display his full mercy to those of us who trust in Jesus, by faith.

JODIE McNEILL

(Photo credit: timlewisnm via Flickr.com)

What does the Bible tell us about leadership? 

In Luke chapter 7 we meet one of the great leaders of history.

He was a centurion, a well-paid, well-respected Roman officer who led a company of a hundred soldiers.

But sadly, one of his slaves was about to die, and so he sent some religious leaders to go and get Jesus to come and heal his slave.

But as Jesus approached, the centurion sent a message to tell him, “Lord, don’t trouble yourself by coming to my home, for I am not worthy of such an honour.” (Luke 7:6)

Why would the Roman centurion call for Jesus and then turn him away?

It was because he recognised that he was in the presence of a truly great leader, for he said, “I am not even worthy to come and meet you. Just say the word from where you are, and my servant will be healed.” (Luke 7:7)

The centurion recognised the greatness of Jesus, and he knew how unworthy he was in comparison.

But he also knew that when a commander makes a command, then it happens.

This impressed Jesus greatly, for, “when Jesus heard this, he was amazed. Turning to the crowd that was following him, he said, “I tell you, I haven’t seen faith like this in all Israel!” (Luke 7:9)

The Roman officer recognised that Jesus was Lord of the universe, and he also knew that he would use his power to perform an act of great mercy and kindness.

And the trust in Jesus paid off, for, “when the officer’s friends returned to his house, they found the slave completely healed.” (Luke 7:10)

The centurion knew the true leader, and he trusted the true leader… and his trust in Jesus paid off.

Great leaders submit to greater leaders… and the greatest leader is Jesus.

JODIE McNEILL

(Photo credit: Hans Splinter via Flickr.com)