I frequently hear people making statements
like, “Look at the way that person is acting, they can’t be a Christian.” You
also find that true of adherents of other religions as well. It is a judgmental
and, in my opinion a false distinction as well.
A Christian as I know it to be defined is a
person who believes that Jesus is Lord and Savior. That’s it, a belief in what
Jesus accomplished as the messiah. Again, it my opinion it is what he
accomplished for all people no matter what they call him. He was the savior of
the world, thus all people are going to God’s kingdom no matter what they think
or do. It’s called universalism.
Now when it comes to what Jesus taught that
is a whole other story, the ethics and values of Jesus. To me those values are
clearly counter-cultural and seem inherently counter to common human beliefs.
How many folk to you know really belief in turning the other cheek if someone
belts you? Naw, we build up armies and rely on violent solutions. How many
truly see themselves as their brothers and sisters keepers and see to the
welfare as a beloved sister or brother. Naw, it’s the bottom line that counts, charity
begins at home (my home), and the wealthy deserve their wealth because they are
better people. So what if 1% of the population has half the wealth of the
people they are better that those on the public dole. And how many really
believe we should love our enemies? When
was the last time you truly prayed for the welfare of someone who really raises
your dander, someone you hate? Naw, we go by the adage “keep your friends close
and your enemies closer” meaning don’t trust anybody and just look out for
number one.
Look around at the numerous religious
groups spewing forth hateful ideas and sentiments about other who do not agree
with particular point of view even to the point of condemning them to hell. It
is only hubris to think they could do that anyway or redeem them for that
matter.
The media, reflective our popular culture
is filled with fear producing articles that cause divisions among God’s people;
it sells. And we tend to fall for it over and over. Politics has become rampant
with these ideas with righteous condemnation of those who do not agree with
their point of view. In politics and elsewhere, winning is more important than
purpose or the common good. We are a weird selfish people.
The teachings of Jesus go counter to those
ideas over and over again. We may hear the stories, or not, but we don’t seem
to truly internalize them. Perhaps the heart of Jesus’ teachings are found in
his sermon on the mount/plan (depending on which gospel you read.) When Jesus
says blessed are the poor in spirit, or to the meek belong the kingdom of god,
blessed are those who search for righteousness and the like, the blessing is in
the doing of those things. But often we see them as rewards for certain
behavior; not true, they are just blessings in an off themselves. They are the
blessings of being Godlike, if only for a moment. [See Matthew 5 – 7 and/or
Matthew 6: 20-49.]
So love one another as God has loved you,
not because it is going to win you brownie points with God or earn your way
into heaven, do it because it puts you into harmony with God and you will be
happier for it. Jesus promises us the abundant life and it is when we follow
his teachings. Materialism just won’t do it for you; in fact, it takes you the
other directions.
As the old catechism statement says it so
well, “The chief end of man (humanity) is to glorify God and to enjoy him (God)
forever.” Believe me it works much better than getting ripped at a bar with
friends who act as pagans no matter what they are. The language may be old and
even sexist, but the sentiment is clear and helpful.
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