RIGMAROLE

I Was Just Thinking About - - - 

In the unique realm of American politics and those who seek office to effect change and bring hope to the people, rigmarole (and red tape) usually become the net result. It is a system that one either fits into or who will readily become marginalized by those with self-interests in how the system works best for their personal gratification. Rigmarole is defined as being (Miriam-Webster Online Dictionary): “a long, complicated, and annoying process, description; confused or meaningless talk.” There is a kinship between rigmarole and red tape. The Etymology Dictionary indicates: “excessive bureaucratic rigmarole,1736, in reference to the red tape formerly used in Great Britain (and the American colonies) for binding up legal and other official documents, mentioned from 1690s.”

I sometimes am amused (or annoyed) by some of the entries and rhetorical exchanges in supposedly Christian groups on Social Media. If a person was on a quest for the truth and entered into one of those discussions, he would very soon become confused and lose interest in such a quest because of the religious rigmarole taking place. I think of this especially in terms of theological persuasions and the presentation of the Gospel. By today’s standards, would the Apostle Paul be deemed to be a Calvinist or Arminian in the way he presented the Gospel? Within the presentation of The Roman Road, note how the words Paul wrote are used: (Background) Romans 1:16 - the Gospel is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes;  (1) Romans 3:23 - all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; (2) Romans 6:23a - the wages of sin is death; (3) Romans 6:23b - the gift of God is eternal life in Jesus Christ; (4) Romans 10:9-10 - Confess with your mouth - Jesus is Lord…believe in your heart - God raised Him from the dead - you will be saved… (5) Romans 10:13 - everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. (Summary) Romans 5:8 - God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

When John wrote his letters to the churches, he reminded them of the place for admission and confession of sin, as well as one’s acknowledgement of God’s truth about us and our sin. His conclusion regarding the simplicity of the Gospel is given in I John 5:10-13, “God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.” Some people feel as though they cannot share this simple and basic message of the Gospel. This is due sometimes to one’s inner fears  or sense of inadequacy. All kinds of methods have been developed and booklets printed about how best to share this simple and basic message of the Christian faith. I do appreciate and have used the leading questions from the Evangelism Explosion method. They are: “Do you know for sure that you are going to be with God in Heaven? If God were to ask you: Why should I let you into My Heaven, what would you say?” Depending on a person’s response, the bridge into the presentation is : “You don’t know? Then I have the best news you could ever hear!” The five steps employed in this method include: (1) I John 5:13, (2) Ephesians 2:8-9; (3) Romans 3:23; (4) I John 4:8 and Jeremiah 31:3, (5) John 1:1, 14 and Isaiah 53:6 (Conclusion) Acts 16:31.

I am not suggesting that theological distinctions and rigmarole are one and the same. I am saying that some feel, because of their theological persuasions,  as though they do not have to deliberately share the Gospel with as many as possible. All need to be reminded of the compelling words of Paul in his commitment (Romans 1:14-16), “I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish. 1That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel…For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.” May his tribe increase. Let us identify with his commitment. Consider these things with me.