Homosexuality. Divorce. War. Drugs. Crime. Corruption in government. Money.
What is the greatest sin/error/deviant behavior/evil in our society? Surely it is, at least in the minds of many religious people, one of the above. For churches, synagogues, mosques, and other places of assemply, one can frequently hear sermons and speeches denouncing one or more of these. And in some cases, I would agree, at least in principle, that these are evil, or at least wrong.
However, as one who seeks to live his life by the teachings of Jesus and the New Testament, I think we're barking up the wrong tree. If one were to read the New Testament stories of Jesus and the writings of Paul, one would find a great emphasis on ..................... how we speak to and treat one another.
Yes homosexuality is "condemned" in a couple of places; but always in connection with other behaviors such as gossip, divisiveness, slander, etc. Yes divorce is called sin, again in a couple of places. Very little is mentioned regarding war, crime, corruption, or drugs - although we will admit that these evils really don't need to be spelled out. And of course money and its hold over us is a major theme in the teaching of Jesus.
Yet, it is the way we treat each other, how we speak and act, which is roundly comdemned by both Jesus and Paul. Things like enmity, strife, jealousy, anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, clamor, slander, bitterness, unwholesome words, and malice constitute things which are a direct reflection of the fallen (evil) nature of mankind. Over and over again these evils are brought to our attention.
When was the last time you heard of someone being excommunicated or disciplined by a church because of how they spoke to or about others? Do we call dissension sin, or seek to placate the factious person? Is the person sharing gossip really intending to help us "pray more clearly" or are they reveling in the dirt they pass on?
Oh, I know we look at our church doctrines and our zeal to defend the "truth" - at least as we understand it - we separate ourselves from the way of error. And in so doing, we must also call those who disagree with us by nasty names. They are change agents - perverters of the gospel - antichrists.
After 2000 years of church history, now we have finally come to know the whole truth and anyone who doesn't see that we are totally and 100% right is ignorant. And we shouldn't have to put up with these ignorant people, even if they do claim to love God, believe in Jesus, and seek to love and help their fellow man.
Why do we become so upset with the homosexual couple or those divorced and remarried and put up with those who speak evil of a brother or sister? Why are our priorities so out of line? Didn't Jesus say the highest command and noblest ideal is to love God and love our neighbor? If this was first for Him, why isn't it first for us? Perhaps if we took more time stressing the positive aspects of our life together, and at the same time learning how to speak well of and relate to each other, things might improve around us.
Remember, love is more important than law!
Charlie
What is the greatest sin/error/deviant behavior/evil in our society? Surely it is, at least in the minds of many religious people, one of the above. For churches, synagogues, mosques, and other places of assemply, one can frequently hear sermons and speeches denouncing one or more of these. And in some cases, I would agree, at least in principle, that these are evil, or at least wrong.
However, as one who seeks to live his life by the teachings of Jesus and the New Testament, I think we're barking up the wrong tree. If one were to read the New Testament stories of Jesus and the writings of Paul, one would find a great emphasis on ..................... how we speak to and treat one another.
Yes homosexuality is "condemned" in a couple of places; but always in connection with other behaviors such as gossip, divisiveness, slander, etc. Yes divorce is called sin, again in a couple of places. Very little is mentioned regarding war, crime, corruption, or drugs - although we will admit that these evils really don't need to be spelled out. And of course money and its hold over us is a major theme in the teaching of Jesus.
Yet, it is the way we treat each other, how we speak and act, which is roundly comdemned by both Jesus and Paul. Things like enmity, strife, jealousy, anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, clamor, slander, bitterness, unwholesome words, and malice constitute things which are a direct reflection of the fallen (evil) nature of mankind. Over and over again these evils are brought to our attention.
When was the last time you heard of someone being excommunicated or disciplined by a church because of how they spoke to or about others? Do we call dissension sin, or seek to placate the factious person? Is the person sharing gossip really intending to help us "pray more clearly" or are they reveling in the dirt they pass on?
Oh, I know we look at our church doctrines and our zeal to defend the "truth" - at least as we understand it - we separate ourselves from the way of error. And in so doing, we must also call those who disagree with us by nasty names. They are change agents - perverters of the gospel - antichrists.
After 2000 years of church history, now we have finally come to know the whole truth and anyone who doesn't see that we are totally and 100% right is ignorant. And we shouldn't have to put up with these ignorant people, even if they do claim to love God, believe in Jesus, and seek to love and help their fellow man.
Why do we become so upset with the homosexual couple or those divorced and remarried and put up with those who speak evil of a brother or sister? Why are our priorities so out of line? Didn't Jesus say the highest command and noblest ideal is to love God and love our neighbor? If this was first for Him, why isn't it first for us? Perhaps if we took more time stressing the positive aspects of our life together, and at the same time learning how to speak well of and relate to each other, things might improve around us.
Remember, love is more important than law!
Charlie
posted by Charlie | 7:34 AM
1 Comments:
One consistency of the Columbia Church of Christ has been the message of grace. It can't be understated that it is sustaining, uplifting, and essential to our walk in Christ.
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