CrossReads Weekly Devotional: Championing God’s Ideology 7/6/2020

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by Precarious Yates

This is what the Lord says: 

“Maintain justice 

    and do what is right, 

for my salvation is close at hand 

    and my righteousness will soon be revealed. 

Isaiah 56:1

There are so many ideologies flying around these days. While these are flung about, people try to pin others to one ideology or another. Which one do we subscribe to? Who’s right? Who’s wrong? What if some parts of this one are right, and some parts of that one are right, but this and that seem completely incongruent? Where do we find our values in the face of so many conflicting ideologies? 

If we look to God and to His word, we find a firm, immovable ideology that is based in truth and love.

He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. 

    And what does the Lord require of you? 

To act justly and to love mercy 

    and to walk humbly with your God. 

Micah 6:8

It’s within His ideology that we find the best of all the others that are flying around these days. Love God. Love your neighbor. Seek justice for the oppressed. Seek peace and pursue it. Consider others before yourself. Provide for the needy.

The Lord has a vision for us that’s so much more beautiful than what we have for ourselves. Our vision can be quite miopic at the best of times, and far too introspective, or even narcissistic at other times. But His vision is perfect, even more perfect than 20/20.

God’s vision includes people from all nations:

“…my house will be called 

    a house of prayer for all nations.” 

Isaiah 56:7 

“…there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. And they cried out in a loud voice: 

“Salvation belongs to our God, 

who sits on the throne, 

and to the Lamb.” Revelation 7:9 

There are so many ideologies we can champion. Let’s champion His! The comfortable parts of His ideology, and the uncomfortable ones. 

For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. Ephesians 2:14-16 

Some of this may be quite uncomfortable to proclaim in the face of current events.  

How can we simultaneously speak up for those who are oppressed and not subscribe to the anger that charges the whole world? We do this by clinging to God, proclaiming the healing work of the cross, and declaring that oneness through Christ is possible, since Jesus was the one who prayed that we all may become one (seen John 17:21). 

What is His vision of unity? For that answer, we can turn again to Ephesians. 

His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. Ephesians 3:10-11 (emphasis mine) 

We need to remember that God created us to be a family, as it says a few verses later: 

For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. Ephesians 3:14-15. 

In the midst of all the noise, let’s not forget that God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him. (see 1 John 4:16). 

So while everyone unsheathes their ideologies and clashes words with words, we can stand boldly with the One who is the Word and whose logic (logos) is complete in Love. 

How do we show love? 

“Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ 

“The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ Matthew 25:37-40 

May God’s grace and peace be with you as His love fills you and sends you forth to champion His Kingdom! 

Precarious Yates

About the Author:

Precarious YatesPrecarious Yates has lived in 8 different states of the Union and 3 different countries, but currently lives in Texas with her husband, her daughter and their big dogs. When she’s not writing, she enjoys music, teaching, playing on jungle gyms, praying and reading. She holds a Masters in the art of making tea and coffee and a PhD in Slinky® disentangling.

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