Public faith --illegal?

"Is this legal?" This question is often asked by Christian medical professionals as we begin training sessions on integrating Jesus into their medical practices -- always with respect, sensitivity, and permission. We all have heard the debates regarding the Ten Commandments carved into the faces of public buildings. In fact, it is a present debate in our community. As you well know, the debates go on in every forum of society.

An article in the Philadelphia Inquirer by Jane Eisner entitled "Posting Ten Commandments unlikely to have desired effect" suggests that she has other issues with the Ten Commandments. Ms. Eisner suggests that two of the Ten Commandments run counter to our culture and thus can not be lived out. She says that two commandments "are at odds with the consumerist, capitalist culture that is also a part of American civic religion". The two commandments?

• "You shall not covet..." (Exodus 20:17)                                                                                                                                     
• "Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy" (Exodus 20:8)

"American civic religion" continues to run counter to the commands of God. The downward slope just keeps getting steeper. In the opposite (or uphill) direction, the life and teachings of Jesus also ran counter to the religious culture of His day. In a world of opposing values, He taught His disciples to "...seek first his kingdom and his righteousness... " (Matthew 6:33). I am grateful for Jesus' example of opposing the values of the day.

Jesus speaking to His disciples said, "You are light..." and "You are salt..." (Matthew 5:13, 14) If we are Jesus' followers, the question we need to ask is "How will we live out our faith and love for Jesus in the public arena?" Let us do it just as Jesus did, with boldness, compassion and love.

Sharing the journey with you,