Thou shalt not bore!

This may not be deep theology nor qualify as the 11th commandment - but it sure is one of my passions and pet peeves!

I deeply beleive that one of the greatest hindrances to people considering Christianity is it's perceived (often accurately) 'boring factor.' One of the greatest disservices we can do for Christ is to make the Christian life boring. Dull gatherings, monotone scripture readings, passionless 'worship,' hum drum daily living, emotionless prayers, uninspiring (uninspired?) sermons and 'bible studies,' all communicate 'this is boring.'

Perhaps we should be praying, 'Give us this day our daily caffeine.' Far too many Christians and churches and leaders need some 'life' in their Christian life. Or maybe we should be spending more time getting daily filled with the fire and life of the Holy Spirit - or do God a favor and stop advertising that we are 'christians.'

God doesn't seem to find passion and exhuberance embarassing (like so many of his followers seem to.) In fact he seems to delight showing up in the middle of it! Just like a child!

Diplomatic Immunity

He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son. NASB

Here is an illustration of this truth. It is like a citizen living in a harsh, impoverished, lawless country ruled by a terrorizing despot. That evil ruler can make any laws he wants to, and can impose any penalty on that citizen. However, in that country is located an ambassadorial compound from a wonderfully free, and propersous nation. One day someone from that ambassadorial staff invites a citizen of the surrounding nation to join them. When the person steps into the compound, they are given full citizenship in the ambassadors country. They may still be living in a country ruled by an evil despot, but that ruler no longer has an authority over them. The person with new citizenship living on the ambassadorial compound, has all the rights, privileges, provisions, and protection of the new 'kingdom.' They now have 'diplomatic immunity' from the authority of the surrounding nation. The jurisdictional authority of the evil ruler (and all his henchmen) is gone.

Those whom God has 'transferred' out from under the domain - the jurisdictional authority - of the enemy are like that citizen. We live in a world ruled by an evil despot, but we have been given citizenship in the new kingdom, and while we still live surrounded by the old country, we are no longer under the evil ruler's authority. He no longer has any say in how we live. We have free access to every freedom, privilege and provision of the new kingdom. Whenever he arrests and accuses us and sentences us, we can pull out our new citizenship papers, and declare that we have 'diplomatic immunity.' We do not have to submit to his charges, or penalties!

Meek is not 'Squeak'

When we read in Matthew that the meek inherit the earth, we often make two mistakes.
1. We assume meek = squeak (as in being a 'mouse' - timid, weak, etc.)
2. We dismiss it, by saying "Not in our culture." or

Neither of these things are true.

The word meek (as used in Matthew 5:5) really mean's 'power under control.' It is not weakness, or being a doormat, or never taking leadership, or exerting influence. It describes the person who has ability, power, and influence, but who knows when to use it and when to restrain it. One commentator likened it to a great warhorse, strong and powerful, but fully under the control of the rider.

When we understand that definition of meekness, we find an amazing affirmation that indeed the meek do inherit the earth - even in our culture. In Jim Collins book, 'Good to Great' he affirms that the most effective leader (who builds great and lasting companies) is the one who uses all their ability, power and skill to advance the company and the leaders in it, instead of themselves. This is power under control. These leaders (Collins says) do not 'blow their own horns,' are not seeking recognition and perks, but are totally dedicated to making others great. That sounds like a great definition of biblical 'meekness!' And Collins declares that research proves these kinds of leaders build great and lasting companies - who 'inherit' the 'earth' (market share, profits, etc.)

So we need to celebrate, develop, and use our God given abilities, strengths, and gifts, and not apologize for being strong leaders. At the same time we need to make sure that we are using our strength to advance the kingdom and build up others, not using it to gain recognition, perks, or power for ourselves. When we get it right (meek = power under control) we will 'inherit' the earth.