Rev. Eric D. Abel
Director of The Harbor
Bethel Baptist Church
Savannah, Ohio
October 29, 2013
Title: “I thought I was Jesus, but I realized I was Lot”
October is a time of the year where deception and trickery take center stage for the
Halloween masquerade. People of all ages dress up, and through costumes and make-up,
transform themselves from the person who they are into a fearful or funny character. While
trick-or-treating, or being at a Fall Festival is a time when the suspense of wondering who
the person “really is” wearing the costume is enjoyable, in our daily lives, the horror of not
knowing who we, or those around us really are, is a devastating trap that has the power to
wound, damage, or even destroy oneself and others.
Quoting a current foster parent, he clearly expressed the challenges his family faces and
stated the following phrase, “I thought I was Jesus, but I realized that I was Lot.” The
statement is extremely powerful, and speaks to the very heart of the challenges facing our
communities children in the care of state run agencies.
The Bible states in Genesis 18, the account of Abraham's interaction with the three heavenly
visitors. In many ways, the message recorded in this part of scripture parallels the mental
dialogue of Christians working within the Social Service arena today. The dialogue between
Abraham and the visitors quickly captures any sensitive reader's attention, and the appeal
made by Abraham, clearly echos truth for today from the past.
Within the human service arena, well intending people, some Christians, have attempted to
engage the system for the purpose of fulfilling their God given call to care for orphans and
provide a safe place for children during a time of family crisis. These Christian foster parents
do noble work and provide genuine care for the most needy of children. There service is
admirable, and, at the core is a genuine effort to thwart the consequences of sin, human
cruelty, and bureaucratic corruption. These foster parents are truly making every effort to be
like Jesus in the midst of immeasurable crisis.
Just as Abraham made an earnest attempt to delay or prevent God's righteous judgment from
falling on Sodom by bargaining with his heavenly visitors, Christians today are seeking ways
to avert the devastating effects brought on by a society who has turned its back on God, His
plan for families, and His instructions for mankind.
Abraham asked “If there is 50 will you spare the city? If there is only 10 will you spare the
city?” and God demonstrates ever increasing grace in light of Abraham's recognition of extent
of Sodom's depravity. The parallels of this dialogue with the best intentions of Christians
working within the state controlled social service arena are clear in that there is a blatant need
for righteousness, and the overwhelming answer from society is to combat the problems of
society with the limited and diminishing resources of the world in an attempt to produce a
“civil” society. God is ignored and His blessing is rejected.
Corruption and ungodly philosophy will never produce health, safety, or peace for any child.
Jesus, the greatest teacher who ever lived, and He clearly taught about how to “rescue”
hurting children. He said in Matthew 19:14, “Let the little children come to Me.” As people
who are intimately involved in the service of children, the answer that Jesus gave is still the
only answer, direct the children to Jesus.
Jesus' purpose of coming to Earth was to be the atoning Sacrifice, to pay the penalty for
mankind's sin. He came to seek and to save the lost and dying people of the world. Many
well intending Christians have been ignored, and public system has been profoundly
corrupted, just like Sodom.
In the midst of the current situation facing the Child welfare system, the call of God does not
change, Christianity is a faith that must be coupled with actions, and the provision and care
for orphans and widows is the ultimate expression of Godliness. The child service system
services a tremendous need, and exposes the need for the Church to exercise its influence
and to get involved with families to practically protect and earn the right to influence society
for the sake of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Some ways that the Church can effect the lives of needy children is to be the living hands and
feet of God. The call to action, and to exercise the God given responsibility of the Church, to
take care of those in the Social Services system is to provide for the needs of the people in
the Church's community. The Church needs to be a living and giving, a growing and knowing
group of believers who live the love of Jesus in practical ways. When Jesus calls believers
to “love your neighbor”, we as Christians needs to empower our Churches to actually do just
that. Love God, and do so by loving people, especially orphans and widows.
It is time for the Church to come alive in the arena of practical care of the children, the needy,
and the elderly. The Church needs to step up.
As my dear foster parent friend stated, “I thought I was Jesus, but realized I was Lot.” In
both cases, I was exposed as putting on the mask for the moment. I thought I was being
Jesus, then it became clear, I was not impacting those around me for God's Kingdom, rather I
was being, even leading the charge toward the fate of Sodom.
The answer is never to condemn people, only God can do that, rather the answer is to turn
from society's wicked and sinful ways, to repent and call on the grace of Jesus Himself. God
is in the rescuing business. Jesus cares infinitely for the needs of Children, and we as the
Church need to take action to honor God as we purposefully engage people. God loves
people, and the Social Service System is a far cry from God.
In Conclusion, Jesus' teaching and His life demonstrate the most important actions any
person can take. Jesus said, “Love the Lord your God with all of your heart, with all of your
soul, and with all of your strength.” He continued and said the second greatest command
is to “love your neighbor as your self.” The church is called by God to wake up and live the
gospel. Take off your masks, look around us. The field is ready, but the Christian workers
are few. In reality, the system is part of the challenge our children face, but when the people
of the Church rise up, take off their masks, and genuinely live the love of Jesus into the lives
of orphans and widows, then, our society will have reason to celebrate, and there will be no
need for costumes.
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