The word “control”
has become a key word in social settings either in media, politics, coffee
shops or kitchen table conversations.
Every time there
is a mass shooting, “control” of guns makes its way back to the debate
stage. News media outlets flood the
airwaves to discuss the pros and cons of gun control and debate our nations 2nd
Amendment Rights to bear arms. Social
Media become a blistering place where arguments pin friends against friends in
their pursuit of winning the gun control argument.
Gun control
isn’t the only issue that takes center stage.
For some, birth control is a huge issue.
For others, drugs and the need to control them is paramount. No matter what control issue is at the
forefront, it is interesting to watch and listen to people become out of
control as they do their best to convince others they are right.
Maybe you’ve
heard phrases such as: Control your kids or you’re out of control or the car
lost control or I’m tired of being controlled.
The word control is significant and needs to be taken seriously.
Google’s online
definition of control is: “The power to influence or direct
people's behavior or the course of events.” Think about the definition for a bit. “The
power to influence or direct…” Is it possible that all of us attempt to “influence or direct people’s behavior”
almost on a daily basis? Is it possible
that parents or preachers or politicians or teacher or doctors or news
commentators in some way “influence or
direct people’s behavior?”
Wait!
How can parenting be lump in the same category as fighting
to control gun laws or the birth control debate? The key is understanding the terminology of
the word, “control.” A parent’s
responsibility is to influence and direct
[child] behavior for the betterment of the home and society. Ephesians
6:4 says, “Parents,
do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring
them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord.” (NLT)
Influence is key. Positive influence is vitally important to
have godly families, godly communities and a godly nation.
Legislatively, government can
establish all kinds of “control” laws in order to stop the negative influence
and madness of mass shootings, gang violence, drug abuse, or unwanted
pregnancies; but until our nation sees the value in living a God-controlled
life, then our nation will continue to experience the epidemic of out of
control people.
Psalm
22:27-28 says it best, “From the four corners of the earth people are coming
to their senses, are running back to God. Long-lost
families are falling on their faces before him. God has taken charge; from now on he has the
last word.”(The Message)
There needs to be a “running back to
God” so no one has to fear walking down a city street or going to school or
church or concert. There needs to be a
“running back to God” so that the drug epidemic ceases to be problematic. There
needs to be a “running back to God” so that our legislators are not tangled up
in fashionable trends of social acceptance, but rather, legislating godly
values and principles.
A “running back to God” means that
God is the “The power to influence or direct people's behavior or the
course of events.” When God is in control, then the mass
shootings stop and the drug epidemic ceases to be and people will feel save
again to walk down a street without fear or sit in a classroom without worrying
if their school will be the next casualty.
Ultimately there are two things all
of us can do now:
1. Run back to God!
2. Be God Controlled!
Remember, Be God Controlled!
Brian
An interesting dilemma with existential implications for Christians is gripping arena of religion today and this dilemma, too, is centered on "control."
ReplyDeleteWe are enmeshed in a struggle with two very real, very powerful combatants over possession of our allegiance and faith: Jesus Christ, and, "the Church."
Our decision to be "God Controlled," or Jesus Controlled often puts us at odds with the institutional church which is tradition bound and beholden to humans who, through money or influence, have facilitated its growth and societal standing.
We do not like to admit the veracity of this situation, but, I have seen, experienced, and fallen victim to its insidious power in my own life!
It seems counter-intuitive to suggest that the church could ever be on a course that is divergent from the path on which Jesus walks, but were it not so how can we have so many variants of Christianity standing in opposition to one another?
Control and being controlled are wonderful things for it removes the fear of following the wrong course. Being under Jesus' control relieves us of contending with the duplicitous nature of human interactions and removes the errant dichotomy of standards held forth by Satan as a means of trapping us in sin. Being uncontrolled leads to, at worst, inaction and, at best, vacillation and uncertainty.
It is an imperative that any Christian, from the still damp convert to the most seasoned evangelist, ascertain for him or her self that Jesus Christ is going to be in control of their life. Once that is done, He will add that one to the church as He sees fit and no man (John 10) shall ever have any role in adjusting that relationship. I fear that a greater threat than men being out of control is the "church" revoking its vow of obedience to the Bridegroom.