The Herald

From the Principal

An Open Letter to our LCS Community

 

Dear School Community.

 

I feel compelled to write to you all regarding what I have been praying about for a while now. And my prayers are for you all, in much the same way Jesus prayed for us in John 17.

 

Some years ago, in 2017, LCS had the theme, Unity in Christ.  The key text was from John 17:22-23 but a wider context beginning at verse 20. 

 20 “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you.  May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. 22 I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one — 23 I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

John 17 is often described as the High Priestly Prayer.  Jesus prayed this prayer at a time when he knew he was about to go to the cross.  In one of his last communications with his disciples, Jesus is making a powerful and repeated point of the importance of unity. In particular, Unity has relevance for us in our context as we serve God together. 

 

At LCS we are seen as an institution where we have the ability, and even the permission to transcend barriers and obstacles that can plague other Christian organisations from working in unity.  The stronger our sense of unity, the greater the witness to the world, consistent with what Jesus prayed for in his high priestly prayer.

 

As I look around at our current context and the state of the world in which we live, I am seeing a noticeable shift in how Christians are positioning themselves and their commentary about their response to the COVID-19 Pandemic and more pointedly in the issue of ‘to vaccinate’ or ‘not to vaccinate’. 

 

I acknowledge that this is a highly emotive issue and there are passionately held views that can be justified with the mountains of data readily available.

 

I am not going to use this platform to comment on either view around the topic.  There has already been enough of that and it appears to be gaining momentum, hence my humble attempt to shed some light and truth from God’s Word about how to deal with differences amongst Christians and fellow humans with whom we share the world God has given us.

 

I also have clear views on this matter and am called by God to make my decisions for myself and my family.  And even then, my family have differences on this matter too.  I can honestly say I respect my blood brothers, as well as extended family, and their right to hold a view or views that are different to my own. I am encouraged to know that they are also faithful followers of Jesus Christ and I love them dearly.  So in our little family group, although there are differences, there is unity.

 

What concerns me most is seeing brothers and sisters rising up against each other, at times in the name of Jesus Christ.

 

I think the Bible is clear, and Christ’s example here on earth was clear.  If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. (Romans 12:18)  In fact Romans 12 could and should be a manifesto for the life of Christians.

 

So what can we do?

 

For one, we need to listen and try to understand what is being said, to understand what it is that forms the basis of these thoughts and wonder about how I can show the love of God towards them.

 

That takes composure and grace.  It means laying aside our assumptions and preconceived ideas from stereotypes that may have been formed a long time ago.  It takes the humility to try to empathise with someone who is walking in a different set of ‘shoes’.  Their ‘shoes’ can be their circumstances, their capacity, their culture, their beliefs, their heritage, etc, etc.

 

I would encourage all families to spend time contemplating on God’s Word for how we can live together as brothers and sisters in Christ.  This is not me talking, but words contained within God’s book of wisdom, His Word, the Bible.

 

Ephesians 4:3-6

 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.  There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

1 Peter 3:15-16

 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behaviour in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.

1 Timothy 4:12

 Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7

 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.  It does not dishonour others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.  Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.  It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Galatians 5:13-15

 You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.  For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbour as yourself.” If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.

I trust that these words of mine will be accepted in the manner they have been offered to you, from a humble heart that deeply desires to see Christians living together peacefully.  When tension or disagreement come in to our spheres of influence, we honour and respect each other as brothers and sisters in Christ, whom we are serving.

 

I’ll let the book of Jude have the last word. 

 

Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy.  To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen. Jude 24-25