Religion in Rome

I recently stumbled upon this and thought it sounded a lot like the USA.  It’s from Edward Gibbon, The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, vol. I, ch. II:

“The policy of the emperors and the senate, as far as it concerned religion, was happily seconded by the reflections of the enlightened, and by the habits of the superstitious, part of their subjects. The various modes of worship which prevailed in the Roman world were all considered by the people as equally true; by the philosopher as equally false; and by the magistrate as equally useful. And thus toleration produced not only mutual indulgence, but even religious concord.”  (Emphasis added.)

In the yet-to-be-written The History of the Decline and Fall of the American Empire, vol. I, ch. II, it will state:  

“The average American was vaguely religious believing that it didn’t matter what one believed as long as one was sincere.  The devotee of science was convinced that all religion would become unnecessary if only people knew better.  Most politicians identified themselves as, ‘Christians who support Israel’ (but didn’t always give convincing evidence of either), and knew that Islam was undeniably a ‘religion of peace’ (while uncertain that religious knowledge even existed).  These points of view (though on the face of it contradictory) actually harmonized well enough in the public mind that the diverse population managed to somehow get along with itself.”

Purifying Fires

One of the best things to come our of our difficulties – and sometimes the only good thing – is the repentance that takes place as a result.  Trials are perfect times to clear the conscience.  Suffering in the present can prepare the way for a deeper, more fulfilling, more committed Christian experience in the future.  And there need not be any glaring, awful sin in our lives to take advantage of this process.

Take the example of Jeremiah.  If there was anyone in Jerusalem who had conducted himself uprightly in the days leading up to the city’s destruction, it was him.  The prophet was likely the man closest to God in the entire place.  Yet he includes himself in a call to repentance after the ruin arrived.

“Let us search out and examine our ways,
And turn back to the Lord;
Let us lift our hearts and hands
To God in heaven.
We have transgressed and rebelled;
You have not pardoned.”
          – Lamentations 3:40-42 (NKJV)

Repentance and growth are closely tied together.  Sin at any level or in any amount is not worth holding on to.  Our fellowship with God is much too vital to allow it to drift into the distant past.  The moment of greatest difficulty provides the greatest motivation to turn from even the smallest sin and draw that much nearer to Him.

Praying about Prayer

I’ve often considered that if Jesus never prayed, or didn’t pray much, I’d be OK with that.  He was, after all, God the Son.  If He interacted with the Father by means of some spiritual osmosis, which just happened without actual prayer taking place, who could really argue or challenge the concept? 

Still, pray He did, frequently and for long periods.  So much so that it made a real impression on His disciples.  It also impresses me.  And so, I want to join with the disciple mentioned in Luke 11:1, by asking Jesus about prayer.

Now it came to pass, as He was praying in a certain place, when He ceased, that one of His disciples said to Him, ‘Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.'” – Luke 11:1 (NKJV)

I need to pray more and pray better – and I sense I’m not alone in this need.  What better way to start than by asking Jesus to teach us?  If we’re looking for something to pray about, let’s begin by praying about prayer.  It seems like just the kind of prayer that the Lord would love to answer.

“Father, Glorify Your Son.”

The disciples really didn’t know what was coming.  After the crucifixion – and even shortly after the resurrection had already taken place – they still didn’t understand.  

But Jesus knew all along.  He saw into the glory of eternity.  He saw every failure and victory in the history of the church.  He saw you and me right now.  He saw the resurrection and He no doubt saw the cross.  And this is how he began His prayer – knowing that trials and suffering and death were the first things on His agenda:

Jesus spoke these words, lifted up His eyes to heaven, and said: ‘Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son also may glorify You, as You have given Him authority over all flesh, that He should give eternal life to as many as You have given Him. And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do. And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was.'” – John 17:1-5 (NKJV)