"This is what I ask, for all my days - That I may, never look away, never look away"
I was moved to write this after reading Vicky Beeching’s powerful post yesterday morning and being so saddened and angered by how she had been terribly treated by so many people, who did so while calling themselves followers of Jesus.
I hate categories and labels, and the sort of tribal mentality - antithetical to the Gospel - it often creates. However, I would, if I had to categorise myself, most likely fit into the category of "Evangelical". I mention this specifically in the title as a call to all other people who would consider themselves "Evangelical" to really consider what I am trying to say here. I love the Bible, the Word of God, and became a Christian at aged 16, from a home of non-churchgoing parents, through reading a Bible given to me by the Gideons. I thus would not be a Christian today were it not for the power of the Word of God. I am convinced of its infallibility and inerrancy, but, more than even that, I am enthralled by its beauty and the wondrous hope I find in it each day - because I truly believe it is the Word of God. I long for people to come to know the precious and holy Jesus Christ as their Lord, and to find wonderful joy in knowing and loving and worshipping Him. I seek to devote my life to this end as a minister in the Church of England.
So I took the title of this post from a wonderful passage on love, Romans 12:10, where we are told to “Honor one another above yourselves.” Note here that this is not a suggestion, but a command. Just as with other commands, we are indeed dishonouring God if we do not follow - the command to honour our sisters and brothers in Christ above ourselves. And so I seek in this post to honour Vicky Beeching, as truly my amazing sister in Christ. This is a great joy and privilege, as she has been a blessing to me in the past - particularly in the song, “Captivated”, which has to be one of the most Christ-devoted songs I have ever heard and it always draws me into the presence of God when I hear it.
So I seek to honour her, for who she is, a dearly beloved daughter of the King. I’m thus trying to do what the Word of God commands in Romans 12:10, to honour one another, especially when I strongly believe she has been attacked with such unjustifiable hatred. That's why I chose the title I did. I want to challenge you: if you do not agree with my intention here of honouring Vicky Beeching, do you really believe the Word of God here in Romans 12:10 (and numerous similar instances)?
Because of her recent publication, “Undivided”, her story of “Coming Out, Becoming Whole, and Living Free From Shame”, she has received dozens, if not hundreds, of negative and hateful messages, many of which came from other Christians, attacking her character, her motives for publication, and (this is the worst in my view) the genuineness of her faith in Jesus. I cannot properly express how angry this made me feel to hear this and to read some of these comments. I do not understand how people who claim to follow Jesus, and who claim to believe and follow the Word of God, can make such horrendous comments as these with a clear conscience. How on earth can anyone dare to make such a judgment? Would you dare to look God in the face and tell Him that one of His own children does not belong to Him?
Please, my reader, if you are tempted to judge me, or put me into a box, for standing up for our sister in Christ here, and just ignore this, I beg you to really consider what I’m saying here, for the honour of our precious Saviour.
Why do I say it is “for the honour of our precious Saviour”? This is not a throwaway phrase: it is a plea, based on our shared faith and that we are family in Him and both seek to follow His ways. Please consider these words:
“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
“I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 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.”
Whose words are these? Please, please listen to this - these are not taken out of context - read the entirety of John’s Gospel, from which they are taken (13:35 and 17:20-21), and you will find this message being repeated again and again. I said that I am doing this “for the honour of our precious Saviour”, because I desperately want to follow His teachings here - and here Jesus clearly says (and prays!) that our love, and our unity, will be a witness to the fact we are true disciples of Him. So, to love our brothers and sisters in Christ is to honour the name of Jesus Christ, who personally paid for them with His own blood. How dishonouring it is to Jesus’ name in the world to see Christians - people who claim to follow Christ - hating and insulting one another!
Do you love the Gospel of Jesus Christ? Do you truly believe the Bible is the inerrant, infallible Word of God? Do you - most importantly - love the name of Jesus, and the honour of Jesus? Then, I beg you, oh I beg you, put your faith into action, and please listen to His words, and stop this horrendous hatred to one another! Jesus literally died out of love for each one of us, including our sister Vicky Beeching. Hear that: she was made our very sister in Christ. Jesus taught us to love her and every single other one of our sisters and brothers in the whole world. Note that Jesus didn’t give any exceptions to this. In fact, tended to repeatedly criticise those who did - think of the Pharisees, and the priest/Levite figures in the Good Samaritan.
Read the whole Bible, and underline all the instances of God’s “Name” being mentioned, and how things are done for the honour of His Name. To have a “good name” is a good reputation. We should long to bring honour and glory to the Name of Jesus, the One who loved us and saved us.
This is a genuine plea: Please, please don’t bring the precious Name of our Lord Jesus into disrepute by actions which are not worthy of people who claim to follow His teachings. You do this every time you attack and slander and insult one of our sisters or brothers in Christ. There is no excuse for this sort of behaviour. It is an offence, even an insult, to Jesus Christ.
So, Vicky, if you are reading this, I really hope you don’t mind that I wrote this and I really hope this came across right - these are only my very weak and faltering words - but I really want to honour and encourage you here. I rejoice to be your brother in Christ, and I cannot encourage you enough to shine brightly as a light for Him, as you have done so much in your life so far, and I believe God has amazing plans for you to bring hope and peace to so many in your future too, all to Jesus’ glory. I am thankful for you and praying more people may see your message of God’s wonderful love.
I hate categories and labels, and the sort of tribal mentality - antithetical to the Gospel - it often creates. However, I would, if I had to categorise myself, most likely fit into the category of "Evangelical". I mention this specifically in the title as a call to all other people who would consider themselves "Evangelical" to really consider what I am trying to say here. I love the Bible, the Word of God, and became a Christian at aged 16, from a home of non-churchgoing parents, through reading a Bible given to me by the Gideons. I thus would not be a Christian today were it not for the power of the Word of God. I am convinced of its infallibility and inerrancy, but, more than even that, I am enthralled by its beauty and the wondrous hope I find in it each day - because I truly believe it is the Word of God. I long for people to come to know the precious and holy Jesus Christ as their Lord, and to find wonderful joy in knowing and loving and worshipping Him. I seek to devote my life to this end as a minister in the Church of England.
So I took the title of this post from a wonderful passage on love, Romans 12:10, where we are told to “Honor one another above yourselves.” Note here that this is not a suggestion, but a command. Just as with other commands, we are indeed dishonouring God if we do not follow - the command to honour our sisters and brothers in Christ above ourselves. And so I seek in this post to honour Vicky Beeching, as truly my amazing sister in Christ. This is a great joy and privilege, as she has been a blessing to me in the past - particularly in the song, “Captivated”, which has to be one of the most Christ-devoted songs I have ever heard and it always draws me into the presence of God when I hear it.
So I seek to honour her, for who she is, a dearly beloved daughter of the King. I’m thus trying to do what the Word of God commands in Romans 12:10, to honour one another, especially when I strongly believe she has been attacked with such unjustifiable hatred. That's why I chose the title I did. I want to challenge you: if you do not agree with my intention here of honouring Vicky Beeching, do you really believe the Word of God here in Romans 12:10 (and numerous similar instances)?
Because of her recent publication, “Undivided”, her story of “Coming Out, Becoming Whole, and Living Free From Shame”, she has received dozens, if not hundreds, of negative and hateful messages, many of which came from other Christians, attacking her character, her motives for publication, and (this is the worst in my view) the genuineness of her faith in Jesus. I cannot properly express how angry this made me feel to hear this and to read some of these comments. I do not understand how people who claim to follow Jesus, and who claim to believe and follow the Word of God, can make such horrendous comments as these with a clear conscience. How on earth can anyone dare to make such a judgment? Would you dare to look God in the face and tell Him that one of His own children does not belong to Him?
Please, my reader, if you are tempted to judge me, or put me into a box, for standing up for our sister in Christ here, and just ignore this, I beg you to really consider what I’m saying here, for the honour of our precious Saviour.
Why do I say it is “for the honour of our precious Saviour”? This is not a throwaway phrase: it is a plea, based on our shared faith and that we are family in Him and both seek to follow His ways. Please consider these words:
“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
“I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, 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.”
Whose words are these? Please, please listen to this - these are not taken out of context - read the entirety of John’s Gospel, from which they are taken (13:35 and 17:20-21), and you will find this message being repeated again and again. I said that I am doing this “for the honour of our precious Saviour”, because I desperately want to follow His teachings here - and here Jesus clearly says (and prays!) that our love, and our unity, will be a witness to the fact we are true disciples of Him. So, to love our brothers and sisters in Christ is to honour the name of Jesus Christ, who personally paid for them with His own blood. How dishonouring it is to Jesus’ name in the world to see Christians - people who claim to follow Christ - hating and insulting one another!
Do you love the Gospel of Jesus Christ? Do you truly believe the Bible is the inerrant, infallible Word of God? Do you - most importantly - love the name of Jesus, and the honour of Jesus? Then, I beg you, oh I beg you, put your faith into action, and please listen to His words, and stop this horrendous hatred to one another! Jesus literally died out of love for each one of us, including our sister Vicky Beeching. Hear that: she was made our very sister in Christ. Jesus taught us to love her and every single other one of our sisters and brothers in the whole world. Note that Jesus didn’t give any exceptions to this. In fact, tended to repeatedly criticise those who did - think of the Pharisees, and the priest/Levite figures in the Good Samaritan.
Read the whole Bible, and underline all the instances of God’s “Name” being mentioned, and how things are done for the honour of His Name. To have a “good name” is a good reputation. We should long to bring honour and glory to the Name of Jesus, the One who loved us and saved us.
This is a genuine plea: Please, please don’t bring the precious Name of our Lord Jesus into disrepute by actions which are not worthy of people who claim to follow His teachings. You do this every time you attack and slander and insult one of our sisters or brothers in Christ. There is no excuse for this sort of behaviour. It is an offence, even an insult, to Jesus Christ.
So, Vicky, if you are reading this, I really hope you don’t mind that I wrote this and I really hope this came across right - these are only my very weak and faltering words - but I really want to honour and encourage you here. I rejoice to be your brother in Christ, and I cannot encourage you enough to shine brightly as a light for Him, as you have done so much in your life so far, and I believe God has amazing plans for you to bring hope and peace to so many in your future too, all to Jesus’ glory. I am thankful for you and praying more people may see your message of God’s wonderful love.