When I was a kid the only 'troll' I bothered with was the one who lived under a bridge in the folk tale, The Three Billy Goats Gruff, who roars, "Who's that trip trapping over my bridge," as the three little billy goats cross to the other side of the stream to eat sweet grass...
If you know the folk tale, then you know that the troll taunts, threatens, and intimidates the poor little goats until the very end when they get their revenge.
The details of the end vary depending upon which version of the story you're hearing/telling, but regardless, what remains a constant is the fateful demise of the troll. The billy goats turn the tables on that nasty old troll.
Just rewards. Victory is sweet!
But nowadays I encounter most 'trolls' online. You know who I'm talking about... those people who hunt for innocent citizens on the internet by luring their prey into a debate with inflammatory comments with the sole goal of starting a quarrel.
Typically I can bite my tongue as I enjoy my morning Mountain Dew while I quietly skim through comments and opinions on whatever topic I'm reading about. Now, as appalling as this may sound, I can derive a certain amount of enjoyment in indulging in a bit of self-righteousness.
Sometimes I just can't help myself. I mean obviously 'this guy' (whoever 'this guy' happens to be that day) hasn't been enlightened by me. What better way to demonstrate to the world Jesus love, compassion, and acceptance than to put the hateful troll in their place?
Just rewards. Victory is sweet!
Self-righteous anger is delicious...until it becomes a bitter pill to swallow.
In Paul's letter to the Romans he urges us not to look for opportunities to be right, but to look for opportunities to accept each other in our differing opinions. This is not easy, especially in today's politically and theologically charged society.
Some causes, some points, some beliefs ARE worth defending. I can even point to numerous places in the Bible where Jesus puts someone in their 'place.' My favorite might be when Jesus publically shames the men who are wanting to stone a woman to death for adultery (certainly not a Christian value), telling them that if they have no sin then go ahead, take your best shot.
In case you don't know, they all scuttle away.
So, yeah Jesus passed judgment here because He knew He was right. But, you know, He's Jesus, so we're going to give him a 'pass' this time around. Plus, much of what Paul's letter is reminding us of is that when we pass judgment on others, we assume a role that belongs solely to God. God is granted that right, so is Jesus.
I am not.
I am not in the judgment seat. Well, I don't belong in the judgment seat. Mostly because sometimes my motivation may start as pure and honorable, however it often gets twisted and is driven by my need to be right, to prove my intellect or point, rather than my desire to help others.
Do I really want to hear the black person's story and change my own behaviors OR do I want to spew hatred and rail against the KKK?
Do I really want to foster good, loving communities which might mean sacrifice on my part OR do I want to place blame on governmental systems?
Do I really want to look at the ways I live in contrast to Jesus Christ OR do I want to tell everyone else how they live in opposition to the Gospel?
Being 'right' doesn't make one righteous.
Just as defending theological doctrine doesn't make one Christian. S
Somehow we end up fighting against someone, rather than fighting for something.
As just a funny little aside, Paul (and I'm not even sure he's aware he does this) makes his own judgment even as he's trying to be inclusive and unbiased by referring to those with whom he disagrees theologically as 'weak' in faith. It's just ironic to me. None of us are immune to the temptations of superiority and judgment.
It's curious... and I want you to think about this, because it just might be one of the reasons that Paul has this conversation with a bunch of church (!) people, you know, those who should know better, should know to love the enemy, and should practice forgiveness and acceptance...
But, I find, that the more I am focused on making the world a better place, the more prone I am to self-righteousness and judgment. Basically, I'll read something or hear something or be in a conversation with someone with whom I disagree theologically or morally and my first inclination is to blast them and say, "Have you not actually read the Bible? I mean, come on!"
I actually did this one time on twitter and did get blasted by internet trolls. Actually I've said similar things also to a pastor on the other side of the county with whom I've had my share of theological disagreements. But, more often than not, I keep my lips zipped. Mostly for fear of trolls.
Those judgments, whether verbalized or internalized, are what Paul is cautioning us about. Unresolved conflict or quarreling can escalate to the point of tearing apart communities, tearing apart churches, and tearing apart relationships.
Our arguments today aren't typically around whether the Sabbath is observed or meat is served. We don't label people: pro-Sabbath or anti-Sabbath or moderately-Sabbath.
No, today we label people:
Feminists. Chauvinists.
Conservatives. Liberals.
Supremacists. Protestors.
Evangelicals. Progressives.
Creationists. Evolutionists.
Or we are:
Pro-Life. Pro-Choice.
Pro same-sex marriage. Or not.
Pro gun. Pro gun control.
Rather than recognizing each other first and foremost as children of God, even those with whom we adamantly disagree. Jesus died for them too.
Rather than encountering each other with humility, kindness, and curiosity, seeking to discover who they really are and what has formed them. Jesus knows their story too.
Somehow, we end up worlds apart...
As surprising as it might be, Heineken, as in the beer distributor, recently redrafted Paul's letter to the Romans. Maybe if Paul were still alive he'd get his message out to the masses by tweeting: Drinks on me. Conversation free. #Don'tbeajerkforjesus. Here's his message today:
Anyone want a beer?
All joking aside, the commercial is not perfect and the people are hired actors. And they're trying to sell beer. But, the thesis of the experiment is the same one Paul invites people to participate in. The message here is not: Beer solves differences. And the message is not: Can't we all just get along? And the message is not: You must change your beliefs to conform to mine. I read some comments on the Henieken youtube post, and some people believe it's naive crap to think we can have meaningful conversation or relationships with those who think differently.
And it would be if I did things my way.
But it's not my ways that change the world. It's Jesus' ways.
Whatever else Jesus may have envisioned for His church, for His world, the one thing Jesus was clear about was that we'd never be finished with the need to forgive one another. Quarrels and disagreements are inevitable and Jesus knows it, otherwise he wouldn't have pressed this forgiveness thing and loving your enemy thing so hard. As followers of Jesus we don't get to toss those with whom we disagree over the bridge to be eaten by trolls.
No. Jesus would prefer we invite them for a beer.
And raise our glasses in His toast:
All who hunger and thirst for righteousness are welcome here at my table.
May we know forgiveness and acceptance and may we grant it.
May we respect one another in our agreements and disagreements.
And may heaven and earth become one.
Cheers!
