They say that a child’s first word is ‘Mommy.’ And the second word is ‘I didn’t do it.’ The Bible says that this is our sin nature. We have this habit of looking for someone to blame for
any trouble we are in. And we have so many ways to do it. There is always direct accusation. You made me miss the bus. I was already late and would have missed it anyway, but you stopped me on the way out the door.
There is guilt by reputation. He is always the last one out the door. Because I know he is so slow, I don’t hurry because it wouldn’t do any good anyway.
There is permission followed by fault finding. Yes, I did say that we could go to the pizza place but I knew that the pizza would be bad.
There is disconnected blame. You don’t support me enough when I do something wrong. That’s really why I fail.
Question: The day is three hours old. Have you blamed anyone today? Even on Sunday, it is hard not to get into these kinds of discussions. And if you are single, Im sure you have learned you can blame yourself.
Our nation acts just like we do. The national character is formed by each of us voting, talking, and giving our opinions to neighbors, television, and pollsters. And we have to decide if we are a nation where someone else is always to blame or whether we are a nation with a good future and a desire to follow God’s plan for justice and peace.
I went to Washington Monday and stood with 200 other pastors to call for a new national direction. As a country, we are dangerously lost in hatred and blame for others. We have waged war without a plan for peace. We continue to torture people and hold others without trial and feel justified by our anger. And now we have to decide if immigrants are to blame for the national troubles. That’s what this legislation is about.
Our country can still choose a path of opportunity instead of a path of hate and bitterness. And friends, which way does the Bible encourage us to choose? Which will make a safer world? What do you think God wants from us and from America today?
We are going to look at a powerful scripture today. It is not easy to hear because Jesus is speaking to people who were willing to take a speck from someone else’s eye before they removed the log from their own. And Jesus offers them a choice just as we are offered a choice now, Why do you call me Lord, Lord, and do not do what I tell you? Why do you call me Lord, Lord, and do not do what I tell you?
Why do you call me Lord, Lord, and do not do what I tell you? Of course, when we are in trouble, we look for someone to blame. I got a phone bill last fall for $500. I immediately knew that it was my daughter’s fault. I had so much to say on the topic. Responsibility. Thinking ahead. I had a dozen moral lessons to give. The only problem was that my daughter was not to blame. The phone company made a mistake.
Having fears is reasonable. If you see a car coming fast, you better be afraid and get out of the way. That is a healthy fear. The problem comes when you are controlled by your fears. I read mysteries about a private detective VI Warshawski. In one of her stories, she explains to a teenager that she has fears when people are looking for her with a gun. But instead of paralyzing her, she uses her fear to be more careful and more determined.
Friends, I have not met any pastor who wants to let our borders be so open that any criminal or terrorist can do what they want. But the fact is that most of the people who attacked the world trade center had legal documents. Going after churches for helping people without documents does not make our nation safer. It simply makes 12 million more angry people. We have created more militants by going to war in Iraq and torturing people. At least, many of the angriest people are in other nations. Now will we create more militants at home by making people suffer here? We have to choose what national direction we are going to take.
Immigration has richly blessed the nation. Of course immigrants take resources just like Americans do. But for example, our church and school embraces immigration and helps kids take early steps to college who do not have English as a home language. That is our stated mission. But do you realize that those kids will come out of college and have jobs and pay taxes for the next 50 years? When you look at how much they will give to America plus the great work they will do to build the nation.
We need a slowly expanding economy with younger workers. If you are on Social Security or approaching it as I am, you need a crowd of younger workers behind you to pay in. Social Security has always assumed that more people would be depositors than withdrawers. So if you are 60 years old, either invite immigration or start having more kids.
Jesus says, The good person out of the good treasure of the heart produces good, and the evil person out of evil treasure produces evil; for it is out of the abundance of the heart that the mouth speaks. God always offers salvation and it comes to nations as well as people.
I am so grieved about the tragedy of the World Trade Center but it is not the last story of our nation. We can still have freedom, respect for people, and opportunity as our national character.
It is our choice, do you believe that God will protect the nation if we try to practice justice in the world or is torture really necessary to stay safe? Why do you call me 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I tell you?
Which is our national temptation that needs to change? Immigrants, and high taxes, and gay people, and people who seek abortions? Or war with no Christian justification and torture and now the searching out of Churches to prevent us from assisting or encouraging anyone without documents? Why do you call me 'Lord, Lord ,' and do not do what I tell you?
I tell you to embrace and work for a plan that trusts God’s protection and salvation. We live in uncertain times but we do not have to be uncertain. The United Methodist Church has asked every pastor in the United States to make a public witness on April 10th. Our own bishop will be in leadership of the rally in New York City. If you can take time from work and go that day, then please show up and be a witness.
If you can’t walk well, or just still have a lot of fears, then choose the next option to call our senators who have supported the better bill. And, I hope everyone will sign a petition of support next week that we will have in the library.
Jesus words then and now are the same. If you want to be a Christian, you have to live like a Christian. Here are ways to do that and be faithful. Why do you call me 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I tell you?
