What to do when ethnic cleansing is not an option

As a Christian there are parts of the Old Testament that I find really hard to get my head round. Over the last few months we have been looking at the book of Joshua at church on Sunday mornings - the story of how the people of God, under God's leadership, moved through the 'Promised Land' killing those who lived there and driving them from their homes. I know some of the arguments - it was God's judgement, or it was to ensure that these people did not lead Israel away from God - but they don't make it easier to understand.

This week we reached chapter 23 - Joshua warning the people to have nothing to do with these foreigners in case they entice them to follow their false gods. How are we to apply this passage to life in London in 2008? Most of my neighbours are Hindu. Most of the children at my daughter's school are not from a Christian background. What are we to do? Have nothing to do with them? Of course not.

As Christians the challenge is to live in the world, so that we are able to contribute positively to it, bringing the kingdom of God as hope replaces hopelessness, peace replaces anxiety, love replaces hate, light replaces darkness - and yet to remember that we are not of the world, so we don't buy into the world's values.

I think all to often the church has felt that its position in society has been to issue a list of 'dos' and 'don'ts' and to call on the legislators to penalise anyone who steps out of line. But aren't we called to live in the world, to be distinctive, to show the world that there is a better way, that they may say, 'I want some of that'.

Jumping to Conclusions

Can you remember an occasion when someone jumped to conclusions about you? They didn't give you the benefit of the doubt...they thought the worst or you - rather than the best. How did it make you feel? Angry, sad, let down, frustrated, worthless, disappointed, wanting to give up...

Another question - can you remember an occasion when you've jumped to conclusions...about someone else? How do you think it made them feel?

In Joshua 22 we read a story of how some of the tribes in Israel jumped to a wrong conclusion about some of their brothers and almost went to war over what was essentially a misunderstanding arising from a lack of proper communication. And because they weren't talking they assumed the worst, they didn't give the benefit of the doubt, they jumped to conclusions.

But fortunately they started talking before they started fighting, and everything was sorted out.

Our world is full of tribes. We like to belong and in a tribe we have that belonging. We are 'in' and the rest are 'out'. We put boundaries around the tribe, things that mark the difference between 'us' and 'them'. And these tribes exist in the church too. Tribes like young/old, male/female, black/white, traditional/modern, old timers/new comers, doers/talkers ... And when we are with those from a different tribe in the church it can be very easy to jump to conclusions, think the worst, and not give the benefit of the doubt - because proper communication is not happening. Both sides may be talking but is anyone listening?

Whether it is in church, at home, in the office, family relationships, husband/wife ... we need to make sure that we are talking face to face (and listening). When you next have an 'issue' with someone go and talk to them face to face before things get out of hand. And don't jump to conclusions, do give them the benefit of the doubt and do think the best rather than the worst of them.

Have the Courage of you Convictions

When you make a decision or a choice, when you are asked for an opinion or what you think, do you respond with the courage of your convictions or are you swayed by other factors? Do you go by what you think is right or do you answer with the response that you think others want to hear. Are you influenced by peer pressure? Do you make choices at work based on getting promotion rather than what might be the right thing to do? Do you find it easier to simply go along with everyone else rather than stand out in the crowd?

Caleb had the courage of his convictions. And when he was asked his opinion he gave it even if that meant he was in the minority (Joshua 14:7). But even though he was in the minority he was right. And he was rewarded by God for the stand he took.

But do you even have any convictions? How are your convictions formed? The Christian should have their convictions based on the word of God, convictions which are shaped and formed over a life time of reading the Bible, spending time in prayer, and meeting with other Christians. But often we find that it is other influences in our lives that shape our convictions: our family background and upbringing, our culture, our friends, the programmes we watch on television... Pray that God will be shaping your convictions and that you will have the courage to act even if it means standing out from the crowd.

What difference can a shoe box make?

This morning at church we are collecting shoe boxes as a part of Samaritan's Purse 'Operation Christmas Child'. Shoe boxes that have been filled with suitable gifts for either a boy or a girl in one of three age groups (2-4, 5-9, 10-14). These boxes will then be taken and distributed to children in parts of the world where the children will experience hunger, poverty, fear, war ... this Christmas rather than peace and joy.

You may wonder what difference a simple box, filled with a few gifts can make. But if you watch the short story below you will see how God is able to take a simple box and use it to transform a life.



Depending on when you're reading this it may not be too late to get involved this year. Visit the Samaritan's Purse website to find information of a local drop off point. If you were too late this year put a note in your 2009 diary around September to find out how you can be involved.

Click here to visit the Operation Christmas Child website