Introduction 

Welcome to the living by faith podcast, my name is Josh DeGroote and this is episode number eight. Thanks for listening. This is a podcast where I take a look at some news items, theology, and history from the perspective of the Christian’s life of faith in Jesus Christ. Let’s jump in.

There is so much to talk about. But I want to talk today a little bit about an instance of astounding hypocrisy and why I think we are seeing it. So we need to step back and think through some things. First, the George Floyd situation. George Floyd was the black man who was unjustly killed at the hands of a white police officer (Derek Chauvin) who pinned him to the ground with his knee on Floyd’s neck for 9 minutes which left Floyd dead. 

There was almost universal outrage when the video went viral. In fact, I did not hear one person suggest that the officer was justified in his use of force. People were calling for justice. And guess what happened? The wheels of justice began turning. Derek Chauvin was charged with third degree murder charge, later upgraded to a second degree murder charge. The other three officers charged with being accomplices in the murder. 

It’s almost as if some were surprised that there was such unanimity on the situation. My goodness, we can’t actually agree that George Floyd was murdered can we? Well, almost everyone did from the video evidence. But amazingly, how did people respond? Protests, which are fine, that turned riotous. Riots. Businesses set on fire. Stores looted. People harassed, assaulted, and in some cases killed by lawless mobs, supposedly in the name of justice for George Floyd. Of course not everyone was engaged in these activities. But many did. And here is where the hypocrisy comes in. The air is so thick with hypocrisy. But let’s look at one aspect of it. 

Remember that COVID-19 thing? You know, the pandemic that shut down the American economy, kept many of us homebound for weeks on end, and has damaged countless lives for years to come? Remember when gatherings over 10 were ill-advised and in some cases outlawed? Remember when outdoor restaurants were labeled dangerous gatherings? Well, apparently the demonstrations with hundreds or thousands of protesters are no problem. 

More to the point for Christians. Church gatherings were deemed non essential. In California, the limit was set at 25% capacity or 100 whichever was less. And yet, you look at the pictures of these protest demonstrations, many of which turned lawless in riots and what do you see? Thousands of people, without any concern of social distancing or keeping hands to themselves. And in many instances the leaders of these cities do nothing, or worse approve. [LA, skate park, mayor]. You can’t make this up. The public gathering of God’s people for worship is out. Thousands of people protesting and rioting, no problem. These leaders are calling for obedience and allegiance that is reserved for God alone. 

What is going on here? We are being played. We know that there are some who see any and all crises as an opportunity to enact their agenda. The governor of California said as much. Of course COVID-19 is real. And of course racism still exists. But if a pandemic can be used as a means of exerting more control over a populace in order to put in place certain economic and social policies, some are eager to help move things in that direction. And if racial tensions can be inflamed in order to bring about revolutionary change, some are eager to help that along. It’s evil. And it is done out of a hatred of the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Jesus is Lord, the US government (state and local ) is not. 

So what should we do? Well, more needs to be said, but a place to start is to rest in the fact that God is not mocked. Those who thumb their nose at God and his rule and his law will not get very far. But there is something else we need to do. We need to laugh. Let me explain. In Psalm 2, there is this scene of the rules of the world plotting against God, declaring how they are going to break free from his rule (what a funny mental picture). But what does God do? He laughs at them. He laughs (Psalm 2). Taking God’s perspective, we need to laugh. We need to laugh at these vain attempts of God-haters (Romans 1:30), because they are unwittingly doing his bidding.

Catechesis section 

The next section is the catechesis section.  For centuries Christians gave themselves to the practice of learning the doctrines of the Christian faith by way of a catechism.  Catechesis simply means to teach orally or instruct by word of mouth.  This is a practice that is sorely missed in our day and I think we would benefit tremendously by taking it up again, and so I want to do my part to promote the practice of catechesis.  Mention “Children’s Mode”.

All that said, I’m making my way through a modern catechism called New City Catechism.  It takes the form of 52 questions and answers with scripture - so one for each week.  You can buy the book online or you can download the app on your phone for free. So we are on question 9 this week:

Question 9: What does God require in the first, second, and third, commandments?

Answer 9: First, that we know and trust God as the only true and living God. Second, that we avoid all idolatry and do not worship God improperly. Third, that we treat God’s name with fear and reverence, honoring also his word and works. 

The true God, revealed in the bible and made known in the Person and work of Jesus Christ, is the Creator of all things. Left to ourselves, we reject the God who made us and make for ourselves gods we want. The kind we can put in our back pockets and manipulate to our whims and desires. 

But when the Holy Spirit makes spiritually dead people alive in Christ, our hearts are awakened to the glory of God. We are awakened to the God who is, and turn from idols of our own making. 

And so as Christians, we are to know God, approach God, and worship God in light of who he is. This is what pleases him as laid out in the first three commandments. First, that God alone would be known and trusted. Second, that we would avoid idolatry, whether in physical form or our imagination and worship God acceptably. And third, that we would honor the name of God as Jesus taught us even in the Lord’s prayer when he said pray this way: “Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.” This is a prayer that God’s name would be honored in our hearts and lives. 

Deuteronomy 6:13-14 - It is the LORD your God you shall fear. Him you shall serve and by his name you shall swear. You shall not go after other gods, the gods of the peoples around you.

History Section 

In the history section, I want to tell you a remarkable story that ought to challenge us as followers of the Lord Jesus Christ to give thanks in all things because God is always working for the good of those who love him. It’s a story about how fleas became a gift from God for the benefit of those in a German concentration camp. 

Corrie and Betsy Ten Boom were courageous Christians who helped to hide Jews from the Nazis in Holland during WWII. After the sisters were arrested, they were sent to Ravensbruck, a German concentration camp. Just as soon as Corrie and Betsy were settled in… fleas.

When they recognized the place was crawling with fleas everywhere, Corrie cried out, “how can we live in a place like this!” Betsy began praying. And then was reminded of the scripture they had read earlier that morning. It was First Thessalonians 5:18 which says,

Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

And so they began giving thanks to God. They thanked him that they were able to stay together, and even for the crowded, uncomfortable barracks.

“Thank you,” Betsie continued on serenely, “for the fleas and for …”

[But] That was too much for Corrie. She cut in on her sister: “Betsie, there’s no way even God can make me grateful for a flea.”

“‘Give thanks in all circumstances,” Betsie corrected. “It doesn’t say, ‘in pleasant circumstances.’ Fleas are part of this place where God has put us.” So they stood between the stacks of bunks and gave thanks for fleas, though on that occasion Corrie thought Betsie was surely wrong.

Well later when Betsy had become sick and weakened, she was not required to go out and perform hard labor. Instead she stayed in the barracks and knitted socks. Amazingly along with knitting socks, Betsy had such freedom that she was able to spend much of her time reading the bible to other prisoners in the barracks. And she eventually understood why she had such freedom to do so undetected. One day there was confusion among the women knitting socks about sock sizes, and so they called a supervisor to come in and settle it. But the supervisor would not step inside the barracks. And the Nazi guards wouldn’t either. And why? Because they knew the place was crawling with fleas. Betsy’s bible study and evangelism were allowed to continue and spread… because of fleas. Praise God! 

But it is such a good reminder for us that God truly is sovereign. And it’s not just that he has a big plan and will make it work with the unfortunate details he is dealt. God is at work in the details. And so you and I can give thanks in all circumstances. We can “count it all joy when we endure trials of various kinds” (James 1:2). We live at a time right now when it appears the world is unraveling. And yet if we can give thanks, trusting that God is up to something, even if we can’t see it right now. So let’s always give thanks - always and in every circumstance, and live faithful, obedient lives for our King. 

Conclusion: 

Thanks again for listening to the living by faith podcast.  If you found it helpful, please subscribe, like, and share.  Until next time, “may the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Spirit be with you all.”