Music that Moves Me – Which Way are You Going

Greetings Dear Reader,

There are some songs that timeless address the social issues for which Christ followers are responsible.  The current debates over gun violence and family values are things over which all Christ followers should agree.  We do not.

There is only one standard by which we should measure things.  Are we showing the love of Christ to each other, our enemies, and the world?  One cannot show love to someone whilst shooting them.  That seems a bit obvious. 

Not to put too fine a point on it but the argument for or against most social issues offered by Christ followers does not include those Christ followers taking personal responsibility for the needs of those involved.  We are the ones responsible for the social needs of our neighbors.  We are the ones who are required to care for others no matter if they believe as we do or not.

When we fail to do this we fail to live out the Gospel.  We create confusion for the world about who we are when they know in their souls who we are supposed to be.  The requirement is that we love everyone.  The way we live that out is by caring for their needs. 

There is nothing wrong with having standards or prosperity.  There is something very wrong with not helping others because we are judgmental or selfish.  There is something very wrong with living out violence against others when we are commanded to love them.  I cannot claim to follow Christ and ignore these things.

My treatment of others with love and respect must cross all lines of religion, culture, and social preference.  This is how I show the love of Christ.  If I can do this daily I can make a difference.  This is how I show which way I am going and perhaps convince others to travel with me.

Which Way are You Going – Jim Croce

Which way are you going, which side will you be on

Will you stand and watch while, all the seeds of hate are sown

Will you stand with those who say, let his will be done

One hand on the bible; one hand on the gun

One hand on the bible; one hand on the gun

Which way are you looking, is it hard to see

Do you say what’s wrong for him, is not wrong for me

You walk the streets, righteousness but you refuse to understand

You say you love the baby; then you crucify the man

You say you love the baby; then you crucify the man

Every day, things are changing, words once honored turned to lies

People wondering, can you blame them

It’s too far to run, and too late to hide

Now you turn your back on, all the things that you used to preach

Now its let him live in freedom, if he lives like me

Well you light has changed, confusion rains, what have you become

All your olive branches turned to spears; when your flowers turned to guns

Your olive branches turned to spears; when your flowers turned to guns

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

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