Matthew 5:14 (MSG)
14-16 “Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colours in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you’ll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.
This is something that I wrote in 2017. If it was true then, it is certainly so now! I’ve added a short paragraph at the bottom to help us think through the implications for us in Webnet today.
Globally, this is a time of uncertainty and disequilibrium. We are witnessing challenges to democracy, the continued rise of the 'strong man', an increasing polarisation of views and rapid environmental changes. All of these can shake our sense of stability and security to the core. Then there is the growing exodus of forcibly displaced people and 'people on the move' - more than at any time in world history. It would be surprising if people didn’t find all this unsettling!
During times of turbulent change, people often seek refuge in all kinds of fundamentalisms. Fear can make people intolerant of tolerance and disrespectful of differing points of view. Instead of seeking the often complex, hard to understand truth, people look instead for simplistic (post-truth?) answers, soundbites and scapegoats. These scapegoats are often provided by those whose thoughts, behaviours, racial identity or appearance are different from that of the observer. This may affect how the observer acts and how they vote. This sadly permeates the thinking, actions and voting preferences of many within the global church.
Of course, Christians can and should have a view about politics and current affairs. Perhaps they have more reason to do so that those of no faith. Personally, I long that followers of Jesus serve in politics at all levels (and in many of the parties) to bring something of the values of the Kingdom to their work here on earth. Christianity itself, however, must never be co-opted by Government or ‘the powers’. It is vital that the Church herself maintains an appropriate and critical distance, particularly in these challenging times. If she fails to do so, she will fail to be the much-neededki prophetic voice that she is called to be!
Sadly, at times in history (and in the present) the Church has been co-opted. God himself, however, cannot be. He is always on the side of the poor, the oppressed and the powerless all over the world. If a person is blessed, that person is called to be a blessing. If a nation is blessed, that nation is called to be a blessing!
You cannot be God’s representative on earth whilst always putting yourself ‘first.’ That is selfish. That is wrong and that is not the godly response of a ‘righteous’ person or a ‘righteous’ nation.
God has a high calling on his people; his church. He is calling her to be shaped by his own ethical, holy character….to reflect his righteousness, justice and mercy to a world filled with evil, oppression and injustice. That is the mission of God’s people. There is no mission without ethics. There is no discipleship without ethics. There is no holiness without ethics. In each case, it must be BOTH AND! Isn’t it time that a Holy Church rediscovers the ethical responsibility of her calling?
Like a ‘city on a hill,’ God’s people/his Church must serve as beacons of hope – standing in solidarity with those whom God would stand with; with those who ‘cannot speak up for themselves.’ A church in alliance with oppressive powers or a church that fails to challenge an unjust status quo is a church that deserves to lose its’ credibility. Worse, it will be a church that is failing to be church on God’s terms and on that basis, God may pass his judgement. That, for me, is a sobering thought.
Fast forward to 2025 and our wonderful Webnet churches:
How exciting to have such a high calling! God himself, in the power of the Spirit calls us to ‘press on’ and continue to be shaped by his own ethical, holy character….to reflect his righteousness, justice and mercy to this desperately needy world. I wonder how together we can be brighter beacons of hope in these times of difficulty and confusion. I wonder how together we might speak up for those who cannot speak up for themselves. I wonder how we might together grow closer and closer to Jesus so that we reflect more and more of his glory! We are a city on a hill!
Bless you all as you keep on looking to Jesus!
Lindsay Caplen
Regional Minister
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