Matt 11:12

12        And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.

Have you been watching the healthcare debate?  I am not trying to be political but with this political issue there is a great spiritual lesson. 

I am so disgusted with both sides of the debate.

I am upset with conservatives for their bullying and hateful tactics.

I am also upset with the liberals.

Why am I upset with the liberals?

They are allowing themselves to be bullied.

If you believe in something, you don’t need to yell, scream and curse like the conservatives.  That is not godly.

I don’t believe that God wants you to be a little weasel either.

Dr. King said, “The only way a man can stand on you is if your spine is bent.”

What’s wrong with the liberals of this country is very similar to what is wrong with the Christians.

Many of us are as soft as pudding pops.

Many of you may judge me but let me share something with you.  I may be a Christian and a Pastor but I GET IN PEOPLES FACE.  I don’t believe that God is unhappy with me regarding that facet of my life.

I don’t scream.

I don’t curse.

I don’t get violent.

I try my best to be fair.

But I don’t believe that God called me to be a shrinking violet.

In the Scripture above Jesus says, “the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence and the violent take it by force”. He is not saying that the violent take the Kingdom of God by force.  The Kingdom of Heaven is spiritual so it is impossible that the physically violent can take it by force.  He is saying that the Kingdom of God is advancing because of the courage of his messengers who assert themselves despite the trials and tribulations presented by hostile cultures and communities.

When you speak the truth…it’s as if you were a violent person yourself.

Do you know why?

The truth makes people free.

When people are made free then the oppressors will be angry.

The oppressors will then bring the violence.

Telling the truth is a violent process.

The Kingdom of Heaven suffereth violence and the violent take it by force.

God’s truth is so POWERFUL that you don’t have to yell, scream and curse.

Speaking His truth with integrity and even compassion is violent enough.

Disclaimer:  It’s okay to run from confrontation when you feel like your going to be “in the flesh”.  We can’t do that forever though.  Eventually we have to learn to deal with confrontation.