4:2 But we have
renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling
the word of God deceitfully, but by manifestation of the truth commending
ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God. 3 But even
if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are
perishing, 4 whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not
believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image
of God, should shine on them.
We have renounced the hidden things of shame... Have we? Do our
lives as believers speak to the consciences of others? Are we the truth in
action?
For Martin Luther living as a young priest in the early
1500's it was the realization that the church was profiting from the hidden
things of shame that sent him searching for answers. I remember how disgusted I
was when a friend told me about a doctor he knew personally who told him he
loved getting new patients who were diabetic because it meant lots of medical
care over a long period of time which translated into big $ for him. Profiting
from the misery of others. It's awful no matter who is doing it but when the
church is doing it it's a whole new level of despicable.
The church of the dark ages had it mastered. When you sinned
you had to tell the priest. That just multiplied the shame. Then the priest
prescribed a payment to make things 'right' which always involved profit for
the church. The church had no interest in healing. The sins we're too
lucrative.
I have said it many times before and I'll say it many times
in the future, there is a reason why Jesus went into the temple and turned over
the tables of the money changers and called them a den of robbers. Profiting
off the suffering and shame of others in the name of God is the greatest sin of
all. The truth is the opposite in every way. First of all everything God has to
offer us is free. Secondly His desire for us is to overcome the things that are
causing the shame.
So if the truth is so good why did people like Judas and the
religious leaders turn away and send Jesus to the cross? Sad but simple is the
answer. They weren't interested in a kingdom where no one controls anyone. They
weren't interested in a kingdom where profit and power don't exist. They didn't
want a kingdom where the hidden things of shame are forever gone. It took me a
long time to figure out that the problem for some is not that they don't know
or understand. The problem is they see clearly but refuse to admit it because
they just aren't interested in a kingdom where love is the only law.
Everyday I ask God to help me live the truth so that those
who do want a kingdom rooted in love will see hope.
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