Pogo
Don’t know if Pogo is still in the comics. He used to be. One of his famous lines was: “We have met the enemy, and he is us.”
“Us” gets us into more trouble than anyone else. Us seeks first place. Us opinionates as if it is fact. Us erects walls of doubt and division that too often complicate what should be simple and pure. Us has a hard time of seeing Us as others see Us.
Us wants to express deep feelings with righteous pride, as if there is only one side to right. No, this is not a discussion about the righteousness of God, His holiness, and His Truth.
This is a discussion about finite man asserting issues as if an oracle of God is speaking.
A woman on public radio was being interviewed. She was being regarded as a great scholar. A caller via phone asked a question about morality and the Bible: “I think,” the woman said, “the Bible is a good book. However, morality in the Bible is not the same as today. We are far more enlightened. While I still get much from the Bible and value it, many other books are helpful to Us in understanding our choice of morality/sexual lifestyles.” She continued to say that persons who take hard positions on morality issues based on the Bible make life difficult for all of Us.
I wondered as she spoke if it occurred to her that her hard position that the Bible is just another good book is intolerant. I wondered if she realized that her inflexible attitude about liberal morality makes life difficult for Us who do not agree with her. In fact, did she ever stop to think that when she raises a person to god level to make decisions of US’S own morality she makes US’S life difficult---eternally?
Us. Us just keeps getting along. Us wants pleasure. Us wants it now! Us is the real enemy.
Us got upset. Us wrote a letter to the person of question. Us expressed loud feelings about all the wrongs done to us by another person. Us wrote strong words. Us was emphatic that all the error/sin was done by another.
Us made that phone call without thinking of consequences.
Us sent that email without thinking of the other person. Us stayed out of work on a whim without thinking of the extra burden on others.
Us bought, and then could not afford.
Us told Jesus Us would take up Us’s cross, but us grew weary in well-doing.
Us loves to talk about religion more than live religion.
Us can criticize what others are doing easier than lend a helping hand.
Romans 3:20 in the Amplified Version makes so clear that Us perceives sin in a relational way that allows Us to be very frivolous with Sundays, tithing, prayer, study of scripture, fellowship with saints, witnessing, and good works. The same verse clarifies that what is needed is an understanding of sin that puts the fear of God into Us’s heart. Us becomes willing to change when confronted by Christ and the cross he bore. The beginning of humility is fear of God. Us comes under submission of the Almighty. Jesus becomes Lord. Us becomes useful for Christ’s Church and the Kingdom Work of Our Lord. Us is willing to forego the need to be first and center of praise. Us defers all honor and praise to Jesus.
I do not know if Pogo went to church, but it seems rather clear Pogo articulated a biblical truth that is the challenge of every person. Until Us is surrendered, Jesus cannot be Lord of the heart.
If you were to measure your own heart’s surrender and fidelity to Jesus, how would you score? Imagine that your love for Jesus is the same commitment of a husband to his wife.
Would you be impressed? Would a wife feel safe, secure, and loved as if she had your level of commitment to your faith and the Church?
Just thinking about US!
Prayerfully,
Pastor Bare
“Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.” James 4:7-8