For about a year now, America and some in other parts of the world have been analysing the death of Travon Martin- almost to the point of obsession. The death of this teen was an absolute tragedy. Anyone who says other wise is either mistaken or crazy. What really went on that day... well really only three people could possibly know: George Zimmerman, Travon Martin and the All-seeing God of Heaven. Is George Zimmerman to blame? Yes. If he would done what he was instructed to do by waiting for authorities then none of this would have happened. Is Travon Martin to blame? If the allegations are true and he did attack Zimmerman and repeatedly slam his head into the ground then some of the blame would fall upon him, as well. The truth is, we really do not know what happened that day.
What we do know is that Travon Martin is dead, it is claimed to have been self defense, and Zimmerman was declared innocent by the U. S. judicial system. I have tried to put myself in Zimmerman's shoes (assuming his testimony is accurate). What would I have done in his situation? I have thought about it. I was always told, "When it your life or theirs, you do what you have to do to survive." And I can somewhat understand that line of reasoning. But is that consistent what New Testament Christianity? I cannot, with a clear conscience, say that it is. Am I going to condemn those who go to those measure to preserve their own life? Not necessarily. But Jesus clearly taught this same principle in many different ways in the Gospel: when someone attacks you "turn to him the other cheek also." (Matt. 5.39) Maybe I am just a pansy... but I honestly don't think that I could pull the trigger.
But then I asked myself the same question with a different dynamic: Would I pull the trigger if someone was attacking and threatening the life of Parker (my 4-year-old son)? Well that changes everything! Though I value my life to some degree, I don't value my life enough to take someone else's. But if my child's life was in the balance (whether right or wrong), I will fight tooth and nail and do whatever I have to do to protect him. Then it dawned on me why that is: We protect what we cherish.
As a Christian, how much do I cherish my salvation? If I cherish Christ the way I ought to, then I will live my life as circumspectly as possible. I will watch and guard my heart and life from the attacks of the devil and from myself. Psalm 119 says the way to protect the heart is by applying God's Word to it.
Am I grateful for what Jesus did in His life, death and resurrection for me? Am I truly thankful that the Father's mercy endureth forever? Am I grateful for the indwelling Holy Spirit who comforts, guides and intercedes for me? If so, then I must begin acting like it. We protect what we cherish.
I have seen some crazy things in churches. I have seen everything from drive-thru churches, to near fist-fights in the church, to even pastoral abuse from the pulpit. Why is it that we will miss church to watch a sporting event? Why is it that we allow our kids to take place in sporting matches during the time they should be in church? Why is it that we tolerate certain doctrinal inconsistencies in our churches and just turn the head to them? It is because we do not love the Christ's body the way we ought to. How can we love Christ and not love His body? We protect what we cherish.
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