Jesus and Salvation

I know that many or most believers are focused on PERSONAL
salvation based on "the one who believes and is baptized shall be saved."
Jesus, however teaches quite clearly that it is NOT just about "me and Jesus."
Our salvation is, according to Jesus, at least partly dependent upon how
we treat the poor, stranger and enemy... especially how the wealthy do...

Matthew 19:16-22  The man had kept the law.  He wanted salvation.
He asked what he lacked.  Jesus told him to sell all he had, give to the
poor and follow Jesus.  He went away sad, because he could not help
but value his earthly treasures over his obedience to Jesus and concern
for the poor.  It was about what he had and would keep.

Jesus immediately then tells of how hard it will be for the rich to enter
the Kingdom... the first shall be last and the last, first according to Jesus.

Jesus also addressed salvation and the rich in Luke 16:19-31.  The rich
man stepped over the poor man at his gate.  He ignored his plight.  He then
died and went to hell for it.  Even in death, in hell, the rich man had the
audacity to think he could order Abraham about, and to get Lazarus to
be his personal servant, though he was in hell and Lazarus in heaven.
He then asked to have Lazarus sent as his messenger to his brothers, who
would no more believe Moses and the Prophets than he did... that his
wealth was not necessarily a sign of God's favor...

Jesus taught about the Rich Fool in Luke 12:15-21.  He accumulated
wealth, and when he had more than enough, he made it possible to get
and keep even more.  He died and it was all for nothing.  Acquiring more
and keeping all that one can get for oneself is not a Kingdom value.  I
believe to be a fool at death, according to Jesus, will mean something bad
for me.

Jesus, the judge of all creation, upon His return, will judge at least in part
on how we treated others and therefore, treated Him... Matthew 25:31-46
gives us a vision of His return and how those of us who are goats for not
"feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and imprisoned
and welcoming the stranger (immigrant)", are not to enter the Kingdom...
because as we refused them, we refused Jesus.

Is that astounding to you?  Scary?
It is to me!  In the world, I am considered one of the wealthy as a middle
class American.  My salvation, it turns out, according to Jesus, the Judge
of the Living and the Dead, is contingent upon my treatment of the poor.
It is also scary because our nation is concerned with keeping what we have
and getting more, rather than concern for the poor.
It is also scary because the church remains silent regarding economic
justice and the sin of greed, afraid to offend wealthy members, it reflects the
greed of the nation.
It is also scary because individuals are getting more and more mean-
spirited about getting theirs and keeping it, getting more and ignoring others,
exploiting others for their own gain, or keeping others from getting what
they need.
It is also scary because our nation's politicians actively write laws to hurt
the poor and benefit the rich... both among our own people and in the
world.
So, how wealthy are YOU compared to the average world citizen, whom God,
the God of all nations, loves?
How are you doing with your concern for the poor and committed action on
their behalf (Agape Love)?
Where are you with Jesus, who says that those who are rich and who ignore
the poor, use the poor, concern themselves only with keeping what they have and
getting more and do not welcome immigrants (legal or illegal), are in deep trouble
with Him at the judgment?

It is about "you and Jesus".  It is just not ALL about "you and Jesus".
We are in trouble as a nation, church, individuals... with Jesus.
It is time for repentance.  It is time to LOVE OUR NEIGHBOR (even stranger
and enemy) as a part of how we LOVE GOD with all that we have.

Pastor Jamie