Jesus Christ was really more about mercy than theological astuteness. Why? Because if we “love the Lord our God with all of heart minds and souls (radical relationship, abiding and prayer) and love our neighbor as ourselves (radical self-sacrifice, we sacrifice everything for ourselves and our own well-being and this is what Jesus was really calling us to) theological astuteness will come.
I honestly do not think Jesus is so “impressed” by our theological astuteness and knowledge. The Pharisees would “strain out a gnat and swallow a camel.” I have been guilty of the same charges in my past.
As I mature and become more confident in all of who Jesus is and wants to do in and through me, I think I will be able to serve people more and more. Fear is why I didn’t want to explore deep relationships with those who were unbelievers. Love has cast out all fear. We are not meant to walk and relate to others in fear. The Love and Truth of Christ in us, as the Holy Spirit, can stand on it’s own. We do not need to worry that their unbelief is “contagious” or that they will somehow cause us to doubt our faith. We are secure. We need to remember this.
Finally, this last paragraph is about Believers. I actually received an email from a new friend who described what he used to do and how he used to engage – or rather not engage – with fellow Believers. I’ll keep his name confidential, but I have permission to include this:
“My schedule was rough, back then. My devotional time was bad and became sporadic. So I would spend a great deal of my time on the weekends studying my Bible and reading. I soaked up a bunch of great information that became like the manna that spoiled. It was life giving information that made me combative with other Christians. I would say “how can you not believe the 5-Points”, or “the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, man there is no way any good Christian can believe that.”
“I became sectarian, schismatic, divisive, all of this came by spending more time with the Bible than people. I am not saying not to study, but I believe we are to do it with the community in mind. Instead of asking “how can I serve you today?” I would say “how can I correct your theology today?” How can I make someone else’s theology line up with God’s? All the while, I had no real concern with them as a human being and as a redeemed individual of God.”
It is good to read and study the Bible. I am not “dissing” this. However, I believe the words in it will be dead, if we do not live a life of Love. We can ask Papa Son Holy Spirit for opportunities to put the tough sayings and practices of Jesus to work. Why? Not to receive His love by doing so, but rather because we love Him back, and have His Love living within our very selves. The natural outflow of being loved, is being fruitful.
Our Bible reading can affect our hands and feet. Otherwise, without application, knowing all there is within it’s pages, is empty, just like the extra manna Israel collected in opposition to Papa’s command to just be contented with what He provided each day. We are unwise to become fat on information. If we are, the best way to “slim down” is to burn off some of those “Biblical calories” by loving and serving.
Have any of you read the wonderful book by George Muller, “The Starfish and the Spider?” In regards to this post, I wish to adopt and live out the starfish mentality. I know I cannot build a huge orphanage like Muller or school in Africa like Oprah, or build and open a huge food bank like some other Christians. Maybe I cannot reach thousands.
However, I can reach one, then two, then three, then... I cannot help every single mom get a car, but maybe I can drive her to work a few times each week or month. I can’t visit every nursing home, but I can visit one, I can’t heal as many as Jesus did, but maybe I can heal one. I cannot feed thousands, but maybe I can visit, serve and eat meals with the homeless and hungry once a month. Just like we cannot save every Starfish that washes ashore, but we can toss the one back that we just walked past.
Each Starfish who we engage in relationship with, whom we guide back to the water, enables the water's spirit to nourish them and bring them back to life.
The next time I see a neighbor moving in my apartment complex, one of our maintenance men mowing the lawns, or fixing a unit, a neighbor working on his car outside, I can ask him/her, “Can I help you?” On those days, I think Papa will understand that I didn’t have time to read my Bible or my little devotional book that day.
What are your thoughts?
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2 comments:
for those unaware, the Bible says all that. I agree, be out in the world help who you can, but there is wisdom in balance. The Bible isn't an obstacle, nor is it handbook.
I noticed the Shack on your reading list, a perfect illustration. I love that book, and how it creatively tells the biblical narrative, really, really well.
Isn't that what it's about? Discovoring new ways of growth and sharing?
Let me share this story... years ago, I considered myself christian and spiritual and did a lot of helping people and living a good christian life. A friend, who happens to be Muslim, said to me one day, "You christians don't know the Bible. In Islam we study the Koran everyday, even the Jews study the Torah everyday, but Christians never study their own heritage. They are unconnected to their past to make their present relevant."
Of course this made me angry, to be judged. But then I sat and thought about it and he was right. As a 'christian whole' we don't know our Bible. I decided to jump in and change that for myself and found that it changed me the more I internalized it. It motivated me to not let opportunites pass to help others.
I agree with you, I just think a call for balance is a good thing.
Cindy,
Thank you for your comment!
"...there is wisdom in balance. The Bible isn't an obstacle, nor is it handbook. "
Amen! Well said, and I fully agree. Truly, how much/when we read the Bible is best when it is done in balance, a flow, moderation, when our heart urges, nudges and draws us to.
Indeed, "The Shack" is an outstanding book. I cannot say more about the beautiful richness contained in it. Wayne, Brad and Paul worked marvelously together. Woven throughout is soooo much Scripture that is written in a manner that is narrative. The breath of the Holy Spirit is heard throughout. It is a modern-day reflection of the Love of Papa Jesus Holy Spirit.
Thank you for sharing about your friend telling you what they did. Indeed, I have heard a similar comments made from those in other religions about Christians. Indeed, far too many of us Believers take whatever pastors, preachers, leaders in congregations say about what is contained in the Bible without reading it for ourselves and asking the Holy Spirit within us to help us know Truth.
Indeed, over the past two years, I have learned more than I have in my entire life about what is Truth (and of course, I have yet so much to learn, and will never "know it all" this side of Heaven), because I began questioning and looking at Scripture AND diving deep into an intimate relationship by listening more closely to the Holy Spirit within me.
Much of what I had been taught in the institutional System was not correct. It is important for we Christ-followers to look into that which we are taught/hear of others.
Truly, reading Scripture, prayer, study, etc all is done well when it is done with both heart and balance. This will look different for each individual, depending on many factors...of which that person and God only truly knows is best.
Thanks for sharing what you did here, Cindy!
Blessings,
~Amy :)
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