Going with Your Gut? It may be a good time to evaluate what you are feeding your gut...

Currently I am a participant in the 2010 Centurions Worldview Course with Chuck Colson. We are in the process of learning and understanding our Christian Worldview and our mandate as Christians to influence all areas of culture. Today, I am reminded how the Spirit is continually prodding and challenging me to a greater maturity in understanding this truth. Further, how he insists on my humility and is so faithful to my continual sanctification in the process... Thank Jesus for His kindness and for moments to stop us before we take "one more bite..."

Bethany Vieth, 4/15/10

This morning I read an article by Chuck Colson in response to Anwan al-Awlaki, the Muslim connected with the shootings at Fort Hood and the "underpants bomber." Recently, the Obama administration authorized the targeted killing of this man and Chuck takes a moment to evaluate his "gut" personal response in light of Christian Worldview and principles surrounding the justification of this man's death.

The points he makes are absolutely valid and as a believer who lives in the light of Christ, I must also take these into consideration. Some include: al-Awlaki's U.S. Citizenship, due process guaranteed, just war/just cause in targeting this man, assasination, "collateral damage" - killing innocent families and neighbors, the disintegration of accountability in the way war is conducted... (Please read the entire article here, http://www.breakpoint.org/bpcommentaries/breakpoint-commentaries-archive/entry/13/14158)

As I read the article, I was completely humbled. Like Chuck, when I recall my immediate response to both circumstances, I remember thinking that everyone involved in these situations had "no right" to harm our citizens and should be punished! Now while this may be true, I realize after reading this article how often I respond out of pasison, emotion, personal experience and politics rather than Christian Worldview and truth. I was so encouraged and blown away by Chuck's thoughtful response to the situation and also I realized how little I understand Christian Worldview's relevance and contribution to such issues as just war...
It's so easy to quickly respond to circumstances like that of al-Awlaki and not really think about what I'm saying or the ideas I convey when I speak... It's at this point I can't help but ask the question, "What am I really feeding my gut?" and think of the scripture Mark 7:14-23, Luke 11:33-36. What I put in my gut and watch with my eyes matter and will be made manifest in my action and response to life. It's a challenge to truly evaluate what I'm consuming - is it political rhetoric and emotion? Or am I truly feeding off the bible, ideas reflecting truth, Christian Worldview, Christian/church history?

This is a humbling moment and I don't want to quickly skip by... It's an opportunity: an act of personal repentance, a renewal of my mind and an embrace of discipline to grow in my understanding. My worldview matters. The ideas I consume and believe absolutely influence the way I see and respond to the world. I must learn and know what I believe. I will stand on truth rather than emotion and rhetoric. This Christianity I claim is absolutely relevant to the situations I encounter, read and hear about in everyday life. I have been commissioned to know and defend the truth upon which I stand!

You're part of this too... As a believer, I encourage you to embrace your calling, brothers and sisters. You've been entrusted with this gift of faith. Know it deeply. Know it well. Contend for it. The world is waiting.