Do You Hate Us?

A Open Letter to Attendees of the

Mid-Atlantic Reformation Society

In Jesus’ teaching to His twelve, just before arrest and crucifixion, He compared their lives to branches of a vine.  To the extent they drew their sustenance from the true root of the vine, Himself, their lives would bear fruit for God’s glory.  At the same time He warned them that their fruit would be hated by the world because it was not worldly fruit.  “…I have chosen you out of the world.  That is why the world hates you.”   (See John ch.15.)

At Mid-Atlantic Reformation Society (MARS) we are attempting to bring forth fruit that is glorifying to God.  We believe that the whole Bible is God’s inerrant word and that picking and choosing which parts to obey at convenient times is not exactly what the Lord has in mind when he says, “You are my friends if you do what I command.”

Most of us have been so steeped in easy Christianity that much of what’s taught at our MARS get-togethers seems jarring.  (I know these ideas bothered me when I first encountered them.)  Our presentations are intended to show that a biblical view on various matters may be outside the comfortable status quo.  Such an approach often leads to harsh criticism.  Teachings from the Old Testament elicit particular disapproval, it seems.

That’s okay.  We believe we’ve backed our positions with the Bible.  However, much of the criticism is round-about and back-door instead of face-to-face.  We’ll hear second-hand that someone is insulted by something said at a meeting and then we’ll not see him again.

It’s not our intent to make you hate us… or insult you… or shock you… or scare you off.  There are those who in some twisted way believe that because Christ was hated then the more they’re hated the more they’re like Christ.  That ain’t us.

It’s our duty as Christians to conform ourselves to God’s pattern of thinking and reform our thinking to His.  If MARS is not doing that we should be criticized.  In fact, we welcome the dialogue because it forces us all to be like the Bereans of Acts17:11.  Back to the scriptures and the truth.

So if you hate us, tell us.  If MARS as a group is not being a friend to Jesus, please point it out.  Most importantly, if you hate what we’re saying, dig in to the Bible to make sure everyone understands why.

Last, if you hate us or if you love us we ask you to pray for us.  Pray that by our efforts we will further God’s kingdom on earth.

~ John Bingaman