A Way Forward

As Southern Baptist Converge in Dallas, Texas for the 2018 Annual meeting the world is watching. Make know mistake all eyes are on Dallas. The world wants to see if we (Southern Baptist) can hold it together. The world wants to know if our faith is strong enough to weather the storm that seems to have engulfed us over the past several months. At the end of the day the headlines will either read that we united around the power of the cross or that for political gain we allowed the convention to descend into chaos.

So, what is the solution? How do we move forward? We stand at a particular juncture in our history and I am reminded of what God to Joshua, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9) Make no mistake if we allow this convention to be about political agendas we will emerge having weakened the cause of Christ. If, however, we boldly demonstrate to the world the unity that can only come through the power of the cross, then we will have accomplished something bigger than ourselves.

The issue before us today one of infinite importance can we lay aside the things that are transient and rally around the that which is eternal? Will we glory in personal preference or will we emerge united in full surrender around the Cross? What will it take for this to happen?

 We must realize that our enemy is not the person sitting across the aisle from us. In Ephesians Paul reminds us that, “we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:12) The enemy in this present battle in not the person in front of us it is the “Enemy,” the thief that comes to steal, kill, and destroy. Will our actions bring honor to Christ? God honors unity, because uniting around the gospel brings Him glory.

This is a Romans 12 moment. As Southern Baptist are we willing to be living sacrifices? Will we let ourselves to be conformed by the world or do we really believe that the gospel has the power to transform us? Are we willing to live united in love as the body of Christ?

Paul reminds us,

Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.  Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.  Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.

 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all.  If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.  Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”  To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.”  Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. (Rom. 12:9-21)

For this to happen there are several non-negotiables:

We must repent of our past sins. Acknowledging that we have at times we have sinned against God and one another and that has damaged our witness.

We must seek reconciliation. In our sin we have deeply wounded our brothers and sisters in Christ and this has weakened our testimony to the world.

We must seek to be united in Christ, to love one another deeply as the outward reflection of our love of Christ.

In unity we must recommit to evangelism and discipleship.

In short we must show the world what the love of our Savior looks like in the way we choose to love one another.

 

In Christ Alone,

Rev. Lamont Hemminger

Senior Pastor

First Baptist Church, Tarboro, NC