Hence the common conclusion: "What you believe doesn't matter as long as you treat people right". If ideas could run for election, this one would win the precedence over all others. It just makes sense, this accepting, practical, real person's ideal.
My reading in Romans reveals a radically different paradigm: what you believe is everything and if you don't believe correctly, you will never treat people right.
We try hard to adapt the gospel message for a contemporary ear, but the core of the gospel is based on believing in something, more specifically believing in Someone. Rather than whizzing the gospel and pop philosophy into an oxymoronic smoothie, we should be grappling with reality: why does the mantra of "just treat people right" make so much sense to so many? Why are Christians so utterly homogeneous with everyone else when it comes to practical goodness, basic humanity, and simple decency?
2 comments:
"I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rains on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the publicans doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your Heavenly Father is perfect."
Mt. 5:44-48
I think Jesus is explaining that what should differentiate Christians from everyone else is their willingness to show love under the most difficult of circumstances.
"If you loan your lawnmower out to others, what more are you doing than the Hindus? Do not even New Age healers help pick up spilled groceries?"
I've been thinking about this in a "back-burner" way for a while. Thanks for your well-thought perspective -- it has inspired me to follow Christ more authentically.
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