The gospel reveals God’s grace through Jesus Christ’s life, death, and resurrection, offering us salvation and challenging our fallen nature which only the Holy Spirit can transform.
Introduction
Remembrance Day was observed recently, a moment to reflect with gratitude upon the brave individuals who sacrificed their lives for the freedom of our world. During this time, I stumbled upon a profoundly meaningful poem.
Even as believers, the magnificent truths of the gospel can, in moments of weakness and distraction, slip from the forefront of our minds. We get caught up in the trivial and transient nature of everyday life, losing sight of the eternal riches we have in Christ.
Why Wear a Poppy?
“Please wear a poppy,” the lady said
And held one forth, but I shook my head.
Then I stopped and watched as she offered them there,
And her face was old and lined with care;
But beneath the scars the years had made
There remained a smile that refused to fade.
A boy came whistling down the street,
Bouncing along on care-free feet.
His smile was full of joy and fun,
“Lady,” said he, “may I have one?”
When she’d pinned it on he turned to say,
“Why do we wear a poppy today?”
The lady smiled in her wistful way
And answered, “This is Remembrance Day,
And the poppy there is the symbol for
The gallant men who died in war.
And because they did, you and I are free –
That’s why we wear a poppy, you see.”
“I had a boy about your size,
With golden hair and big blue eyes.
He loved to play and jump and shout,
Free as a bird he would race about.
As the years went by he learned and grew
and became a man – as you will, too.”
“He was fine and strong, with a boyish smile,
But he’d seemed with us such a little while
When war broke out he went away.
I still remember his face that day
When he smiled at me and said, Goodbye,
I’ll be back soon, Mom, so please don’t cry.”
“But the war went on and he had to stay,
And all I could do was wait and pray.
His letters told of the awful fight,
(I can see it still in my dreams at night),
With the tanks and guns and cruel barbed wire,
And the mines and bullets, the bombs and fire.”
“Till at last, at last, the war was won –
And that’s why we wear a poppy son.”
The small boy turned as if to go,
Then said, “Thanks, lady, I’m glad to know.
That sure did sound like an awful fight,
But your son – did he come back all right?”
A tear rolled down each faded check;
She shook her head, but didn’t speak.
I slunk away in a sort of shame,
And if you were me you’d have done the same;
For our thanks, in giving, if oft delayed,
Thought our freedom was bought – and thousands paid!
And so when we see a poppy worn,
Let us reflect on the burden borne,
By those who gave their very all
When asked to answer their country’s call
That we at home in peace might live.
Then wear a poppy! Remember – and give!
Crawford, D.J. “Why Wear a Poppy.
The Challenge of Complacency in Faith
The bystander’s initial disinterest in the poppy symbolizes a broader issue – complacency. He had forgotten the cost paid by many. It had become such a regular occurrence every year that it had lost the gravity it might have had. In the context of Christianity, this same complacency often manifests when our spiritual lives become routine. We attend church, pray, and read scripture, but sometimes these acts become more about fulfilling obligations than actually engaging with God.
Complacency in faith is subtle. It creeps in slowly, leading to a stagnant faith that doesn’t grow or challenge us. This complacency and stagnation leads us to forget the true power of the gospel. It’s like forgetting the harsh realities of war and sacrifice that the poppy represents.
Attending church, praying, and reading scripture, are not routine tasks but opportunities to connect deeply with God. Just as each poppy in a field is a reminder of individual sacrifice, each prayer, scripture reading, or act of worship should be seen as an opportunity to connect and encounter God’s grace and love. We must consistently acknowledge the weight and wonder of what Christ has done for us.
Pride and Running from Grace
When we feel good about our spiritual lives, pride can creep in. We start to believe that our positive actions and good deeds are what make us worthy in the eyes of God. Conversely, when we falter, we often run away from God, overwhelmed by shame. In both scenarios, we lose sight of the essence of the gospel – grace. Christ’s death and resurrection were for all sins, for all time, including those we have yet to commit.
Pride leads us to believe that our righteousness is self-derived, while shame convinces us that our failures are beyond redemption. Both are illusions that distance us from the truth of the gospel. Christ calls us to a middle ground – humility. In humility, we recognize that our worth is not based on our achievements or failures but on Christ’s sacrifice for us.
Truly understanding this will draw us closer to Jesus, not farther. In our moments of pride, it humbles us; in our moments of shame, it comforts us. Just as the poppy serves as a reminder of the cost of freedom, so does the Cross remind us of the price paid for our redemption – a price we neither earned nor deserved.
Easy to forget
It’s easy for the gospel’s life-changing truth to be overshadowed by the busyness, complexity and pace of life. However, it’s vital that we are constantly reminded of the living narrative of God’s pure love and unearned grace towards us. It is our source of strength, wisdom, and comfort, giving us an abundant life in relationship with Him, rich in deep purpose and fulfillment.
However, the gospel doesn’t always occupy its deserved place in our lives and hearts. Here are 6 reasons why this might be the case:
Lack of Priority
Prioritizing God in our lives requires intentionality, which can often be lacking. In a society that values material success and immediate gratification, spiritual growth and engaging in relationship with God can seem less urgent or important. We might fail to make it part of our daily routine. Our relationship with God becomes something we think of only in times of need or during church, rather than in all aspects of life, every day of the week. When it is not a priority, it becomes easy to forget God’s teachings and the importance of the gospel in our lives.
Cultural and Social Pressures
In many societies, expressing one’s faith or living out the gospel’s teachings can lead to exclusion, ridicule, or misunderstanding. The desire to fit in or to avoid conflict can lead people to downplay or forget the importance of their faith. Also, in cultures where secularism or other belief systems are predominant, the gospel might seem out of place or irrelevant, making it harder to remember and practice its teachings.
Lack of Regular Engagement
Without regular reading of the Bible, prayer, fellowship with other believers, and participation in church activities, the messages and teachings of the gospel can fade from memory. This lack of engagement leads to a weakening of faith and a diminishing understanding of the gospel’s relevance and power in our daily lives.
Doubts and Skepticism
In an age where scientific and rational explanations are highly valued, the miracles and teachings of the Bible can be questioned or dismissed as outdated or irrelevant. These doubts, if not addressed, can create a barrier to fully embracing and remembering the gospel. They can lead to a sense of disconnection from faith and a hesitation to delve deeper into spiritual truths.
Lack of Relevance
The Bible and God’s teachings can seem disconnected from modern, contemporary issues and lifestyles. This perceived gap between the gospel and everyday life makes it easy for people to dismiss its significance.
We are a new creation
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come:[a] The old has gone, the new is here! 2 Corinthians 5:17
In Christ, we become new creations. The old self, bound by sin and worldly concerns, is replaced by a new self, alive in Christ and empowered by the Holy Spirit. And we are empowered in ways we could never have imagined – to love more deeply, to forgive more readily, to act more righteously, and to face life with a resilience and hope that is not of this world. The Holy Spirit allows us to see beyond the immediate, and to understand our lives as part of a much wider, eternal narrative. We are given a new perspective, purpose, and power through Jesus that is greater than any finite earthly pursuit, because it’s rooted in Him.
Just as the poppy symbolizes the cost of freedom, our new perspective, purpose, and power through Jesus remind us of the price paid for our redemption – a price we could never earn or deserve.
Other posts in this series:
The Gospel: Difficult to Accept
Resource list
Crawford, D.J. “Why Wear a Poppy.” Retrieved from https://pastorfergus.wordpress.com/2012/11/08/why-wear-a-poppy-by-don-crawford-2/
Keller, T. (2008). The Prodigal God: Recovering the Heart of the Christian Faith. Penguin Books.
-This book by Timothy Keller explores the essence of the gospel and the heart of the Christian faith, emphasizing the prodigal nature of God’s grace.
Lewis, C.S. (1952). Mere Christianity. HarperOne.
-A classic text that provides an articulate expression of the Christian faith, addressing skepticism and providing a rational basis for Christianity.
Chan, F. (2009). Crazy Love: Overwhelmed by a Relentless God. David C. Cook.
-In this book, Francis Chan challenges readers to live a life marked by the radical love of God, addressing complacency in faith.
Platt, D. (2010). Radical: Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dream. Multnomah.
-David Platt discusses how cultural influences can lead to a diluted gospel, urging a return to an authentic, radical faith.
