Sometimes You Feel Like a Nut

What's really nutty?

 

Sometimes You Feel Like a Nut

Do you remember the candy ad a number of years ago,  “Sometimes you feel like a nut,  sometimes you don’t…”?    In a different sense,  a Christian might have to wonder if they are being somewhat “nutty”  in their faith.

That nutty questioning might come in a situation where someone mocks us for being “outdated”  in our morals.    In other words,  the Christian refuses to approve of adultery,  watch immoral movies,  go to drunken parties,  use the Lord’s name in vain,  cheat in school,  etc.    Today when Christians stand against abortion,  homosexual marriage  and the acceptance of  “many different kinds of families”,  they are sneered at  and declared to be crazy,  radical,  Bible-thumping Looney tunes.

Then, of course,  Christians might be tempted to question their “nuttiness” when others make fun of them for adhering to godly principles  such as  perseverance in keeping the truth,  honesty,  kindness,  or daily Bible study.    Is all this nutty or not?

The scoffer might even come up with,  “Well,  Goody Two Shoes,  you’re not perfect,  so don’t tell me how to live my life.”     Ashamedly,  we have to admit that we are sinners,  whose imperfections are pretty obvious.    But,  that’s exactly why we need Jesus to change us  and  save us from our sinful natures.

More and more we’re seeing all sorts of Christianity banging in the newscasts and are having to face it personally.    It’s bound to tempt us to be sad.    But it’s nothing new.    Around 2000 years ago,  Peter had to encourage the beleaguered faithful in 1 Peter 4:12,

“Beloved,  do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you,  which comes upon you for your testing,  as though some strange thing were happening to you;  but  to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ,  keep on rejoicing;  so that also at the revelation of His glory,  you may rejoice with exultation.”

God knows the testing we’re going through  and  He is allowing it so that we may grow stronger in the true faith.    Peter comforts us in 1 Peter 5:9b-10saying,

“the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren  who are in the world.    And after you have suffered for a little,  the God of all grace,  who called you to His eternal glory in Christ,  will Himself  perfect,  confirm,  strengthen  and  establish you.”

All this is so good to remember  and  be strengthened in  when unbelievers are maligning us.

But,  in the same breath,  all Christians need to guard themselves  so as to not go off on a wild tangent like those who,  in the name of Christ,  bomb buildings,  join the Klu Klux Klan,  join one of the many cults  that purport to be Christian,  or  commit any sort of irregularity in the name of Christ.

1 Peter 4:14-19  helps put everything into perspective.

“If you are reviled for the name of Christ,  you are blessed,  because the Spirit of glory  and of God  rests upon you.    By no means let any of you suffer as a murderer,  or thief,  or evildoer,  or a troublesome meddler;  but  if anyone suffers as a Christian,  let him not feel ashamed,  but  in that name let him glorify God.    For  it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God;  and  if it begins with us first,  what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?    And  if it is with difficulty that the righteous is saved,  what will become of the godless man  and  the sinner?    Therefore,  let those also who suffer according to the will of God  entrust their souls to a faithful Creator  in doing what is right.”

It is an honor to suffer to the glory of God  and  according to the will of God,  even in our everyday lives.    We just need to daily keep ourselves in check  to make sure we are not justly suffering for doing what is wrong  in the eyes of our Lord.    For that  purpose  we need serious,  daily Bible study  to make sure we are honestly abiding in the Word of God.

We don’t want to be nutty — just filled with the fruits of the Spirit.

Love,   Margaret