On this, the fourth Sunday in Advent, I have been thinking a lot about events this year. I'd like to ask my fellow Christians a question: "Are you for or against?"

"What do you mean?" you ask, "For or Against what?".

What I mean in this; when evil confronts you, especially evil condoned by society, how do you react? Do you carry a bunch of signs around in protest? Do you trash-talk those who think that the evil thing is the right way? Or do you look for a way to affirm positively what you believe and act on it with your conduct?

It is really easy to be Against things; in fact, that is the natural, lazy way of mankind when confronted with something unpleasant. For examples, look at the rioting in Ferguson, Missouri; or perhaps the anti-abortion marches that happen from time to time. It is very easy to do these things because they fit our human nature very well. We get angry and upset and want somehow to punish those who disagree with our viewpoint.

It can be very hard to be For things. For example, if a white Christian in Ferguson reaches across the racial divide to befriend or help another Christian, chances are high that both parties will be ridiculed or ostracized in some way. In the other example above, reaching out to a pregnant woman to offer your home, money, or healing before or after an abortion will definitely cost you a great deal, both personally and socially.

So which would Jesus have us to do? He was never ambiguous about the subject: he said that sin is sin, no matter who does it. And he also reached out and helped all kinds of sinners who needed him when he walked this earth. It certainly cost him to do so; in fact it cost him everything, but he did it and gave all with joy. He accepts all who will come to him today for salvation and forgiveness, having paid the ultimate price in our place.

So which do you think he wants you to do when evil confronts you - riot, loot, protest, threaten, assault, or even murder those who do the evil - or set an example with your own conduct that what you believe about Christ you act on? Are you going to react the natural man's way - negatively? Or are you going to react the way Christ would have you do - demonstrating with your life how we all should live and care for each other in spite of our sin? What did Jesus say were the two greatest commandments? I will not state them here - if you don't know, it is a great time to get out your Bible and look this up.

It is time we Christians get this clear - either what Christ did for us means something to us - or we are fooling ourselves about our faith. We are not to attempt in or own strength to to battle with evil in this world - we are to Stand Sure on the Foundation - which is what Christ did for us and teaches us. Satan was judged when Jesus went to the cross to die for us and rose again from the grave. Let's all focus more on living as Jesus would have us live - and by our lives show the world what our Savior means to us.

Till next time,

Duane