ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHING
April 30, 2022
On this day in the year 303, the Roman Empire officially ended its persecution of Christians. For 250 years or so, there had been times of intense persecution and other times of less severe. It also depended on what part of the Roman Empire one might live. Yet it is strange how a religion born out of persecution, finding some of its greatest witnesses and saints during those years, would become itself a source of horrific persecution. The merging of religion and state is frightening, and it happened in the Roman Empire. We also see such a union today in Russia – a union that gives religious cover for atrocities beyond what most of us can imagine. It was Dr. Martin Luther King who wrote, “The church must be reminded that it is not the master or the servant of the state, but rather the conscience of the state.” The dance is difficult, but if yearnings of power begin to take hold of the church, it is not long before it is a puppet of the state, providing a so-called holy smokescreen behind which the state can do almost anything. We in the United States need to be equally aware of how politicians love to use the church for things that in no way resemble the humble and self-giving Christ of scripture.
Holy God, I request your Spirit’s assistance as I seek to live a life worthy of Christ’s great gift. Keep me centered; my heart humble; my faith full of wisdom. Show me where to speak, while never being wooed by the trappings of power, prestige and control. It won’t always be easy, but I trust you to guide me along the way. Amen.h
