I learned early on that a "Christian" is someone who follows the Christ - someone Christ-like - a "little Christ", if you will.
Jesus' followers were disciples - student followers who were devoted to Jesus as teacher and to His teachings, and then to Jesus as Lord and Savior.
I have a troubling conundrum, however.
I witness people claiming to be Christian and professing devotion to Jesus, the Christ, who do not devote themselves to what Jesus taught or submit to Jesus as Lord of their lives by following what Jesus taught and modeled.
Now, I know that the umbrella of Christianity is very large. I accept that. But shouldn't a devotion to following what Jesus taught and modeled for us be the defining factor for those called by the name of the Christ?
Jesus, who said that in order to be His disciples, we must abide in HIS Word, obey HIS commands and live the Agape Love that HE commanded, taught and lived - does this Jesus not expect those who would be called by His name to at least strive to live by what He taught?
I see people who profess to be Christians judging others, though Jesus commanded us not to judge. Not only do many folks judge, but they justify it with other parts of the Word that Jesus fulfilled.
I see people who profess to be Christians refusing to forgive others, though Jesus commanded it.
Again, they use parts of the Word to justify what Jesus clearly commanded His followers not to do.
I see people concerned about earning their salvation through praise, worship and tithes - Jesus talked about salvation in the context of how we treat the most vulnerable among us, even stranger and enemy.
I see people concerned about getting more for themselves, when Jesus very clearly made material wealth not only unimportant regarding Kingdom values, but warned against greed as the enemy of faith in Him.
I see people wanting to control the lives of others and how they live, when Jesus clearly spoke about the hypocrisy of trying to control others out of hubris, rather than humbly examining the self.
I see people claiming Jesus' name and using their political position and power to hurt the most vulnerable.
I see people claiming Jesus' name and running their businesses off the backs of people they routinely
exploit, mistreat, underpay and then throw away when they are done with them, though Jesus' teachings and parables give a different view of Kingdom values.
I see people claiming Jesus' name and wanting to have status in society above others, though Jesus raised the humble and humbled the elevated in society.
I see people claiming Jesus' name and intentionally voting for candidates who represent gains for them, knowing that it means losses for others around them.
I see people claiming Jesus' name and hating others who are different from them and actively trying to hold them down, back or out - even trying to destroy their lives, though Jesus taught Agape Love - committed action on behalf of the other, even stranger and enemy, and especially the most vulnerable.
I see faith leaders who claim Jesus teaching prosperity for some instead of manna living for all, personal power over others instead of the humble lifting up of all and status over others instead of loving community and fellowship for all.
I see polititians claiming Jesus and ignoring His teachings in how they govern.
I see business people claiming Jesus and ignoring His teachings in how they do business.
I see citizens claiming Jesus and hating others not like them and voting for those who will hurt their sisters and brothers, even sisters and brothers who share their faith.
I also see that some have claimed Jesus and have created their own definition of "American Christian" that has included their idolatry of ideology, nation, race, ethnicity, sexuality, economic class and gender. Some of them claim this to be a "Christian nation" while doing and saying the most un-Christ-like things.
Does this make folk "bad Christians"? They are not following the Christ, not "little Christs" in this part of God's Kingdom, here and now.
Can they claim to even be "Christians"? Why would they claim to be and not follow the Christ?
I believe that Gandhi perceived the problem long ago, though certainly there were others long before him who did the same - "I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ."
I ask again - What is a Christian?
Much more these days, in this climate, I confess that I prefer to call myself -
A PERSON OF THE WAY OF JESUS, as I strive to live the Agape Love that Jesus taught, commanded and modeled for any who would follow Him.
Pastor Jamie
Saturday, September 29, 2018
Monday, September 3, 2018
Labor
We live in confusing times for those who labor.
They hear politicians say that they are the only ones who will create jobs for them, the same politicians who wage war on organized labor and even claim that wages are too high, while those who are working two jobs are still behind and struggle to make it financially.
They see executives and owners make record profits, along with stockholders while their wages remain stagnant and provide them with less every year.
They receive tax cuts that may help them with gas money for a few months of the year, while the same executives and owners get huge percentages of tax cut for themselves.
Robots are taking jobs that people once performed.
Even self-checkout machines replace cashiers at the local stores, creating long lines for those who want to deal with a person, rather than a machine because fewer cashiers are hired.
Self-pump gas stations, even self serve McDonalds screens replace workers.
Machines are made that can work longer, produce more and cost less to operate than employees.
Some companies just cut the workforce and double the work load of existing employees, rather than hire enough workers to do the job well.
But it is the low paid, hard worked immigrants who get blamed for jobs being lost.
Workers are encouraged to look for blame laterally and "below", rather than see that this is a system designed to make more for those at the top at the expense of those at the bottom, especially at election time.
We are fed at an early age that Capitalism is synonymous with Democracy and that Capitalism is the best system in the world for elevating people in their standard of living, yet intentional effort is made to make it an unjust system that has no limits at the top, while limiting the possibilities of those at the bottom, and making it impossible for them to rise even to a secure and sustainable standard of living.
Healthcare, living wage, Medicare/Medicaid, Social Security, workers' rights, the retirement age, taxation, job safety and safe land, water and air are "weaponized" at election time to keep those in power in control of the wealth.
Since 1981 a massive re-distribution of wealth has been perpetrated on the middle class and the poor for the benefit of the wealthy. It continues, unchecked today. Anyone who suggests that it is wrong or proposes measures to reverse this trend is labeled "communist" or "un-American." The Greedy, Power Mongers and Entitled are seen as the "real Americans." And many of the easily gullible have been duped into believing that they can and will be in this club someday. With the cries of "at least I'm (straight, or white or protestant or male or English speaking, or all of the above)", they believed they are in some way entitled above someone else, anyone else - desperately holding onto that belief that they hold some similarities with those who abuse them and hold them down, back and out.
Those who are not white, straight, male, protestant and/or English speaking are increasingly blamed, marginalized, victimized and demonized by those gullible, easily duped who believe what their masters tell them and blame those who they are told to blame.
BUT THE KINGDOM OF GOD holds different VALUES. And we live in the KINGDOM OF GOD, in this part of it, here and now. We are called to live by a different set of values and rules for living.
In the PARABLE OF THE LABORERS in Luke 20, we learn that God values laborers being paid what they need to sustain them, rather than what they are told they deserve for their labors. Because of that, we take a value for the work - productive, edifying work that builds up the Kingdom, knowing that we will have enough on which to live and thrive - without the worry that we won't. These were the day laborers, the least paid in society, but God values giving them enough on which to live and sustain their families. You would think that Christian employers would do the same.
Jesus also said, "the laborer deserves to be paid." (Luke 10:7)
It was a fulfillment of the Law of Moses - "You shall not withhold the wages of poor and needy laborers, whether other countrypersons or aliens who reside in your land. You shall pay them their wages daily before sunset, because they are poor and their livelihood depends on them; otherwise they might cry to the Lord against you, and you would incur guilt." (Deuteronomy 24:14-16)
Jesus also said, "For you always have the poor with you, and you can show kindness to them whenever you wish..." (Mark 14:7)
It is a direct reference to and fulfillment of the Law of Moses in Deuteronomy 15:7-11 - " If there is among you anyone in need, a member of your community in any of your towns within the land, do not be hard-hearted or tight-fisted toward your needy neighbor. You should rather open your hand, willingly lending enough to meet the need, whatever it may be... Be careful that you do not entertain a mean thought... view your needy neighbor with hostility and give nothing; your neighbor might cry to the Lord against you, and you would incur guilt. Give liberally and be ungrudging when you do so, for on this account the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in all that you undertake. Since there will never cease to be some in need on earth, I therefore COMMAND you, 'Open your hand to the poor and needy in your land.'"
Perhaps the Prophet Ezekiel has a message to our nation in this regard, refuting the teachings about the sin of Sodom that some unscrupulous false teachers have claimed and shedding light on what the sin of Sodom truly was - a sin with which we must grapple in this part of God's Kingdom, here and now -
"This was the guilt of your sister Sodom: she and her daughters had pride, excess of food, and prosperous ease, but did not aid the poor and needy. They were haughty, and did abominable things before me; therefore I removed them when I saw it." Ezekiel 16:49, 50
Indeed, from the mouth of Jesus, the Judge of all the living and the dead, we have witness in Matthew's Gospel of a vision of the return of the Christ for ALL NATIONS -
Divided into sheep or goats, saved or condemned, not based on professing faith, worshiping, praising, saying a particular prayer or tithing, but rather -
HOW WE TREAT THE MOST VULNERABLE AMONG US -
How we treat JESUS, by how we treat Jesus' sisters and brothers, especially
THE HUNGRY, NAKED, THE STRANGER IN THE LAND, THE SICK AND IMPRISONED.
God's Kingdom Values are that we give them a chance and enhance their lives as much as we are able to do so, especially from our abundance as a nation and people within it.
So, labor my friends.
Do labor that is honorable and that lifts others up, provides others with what they need and makes the creation a better place for all who live within it.
Employees - Work hard. Lift up other laborers. Demand justice for them and not just yourselves, regardless of your differences with them.
Employers - Pay them a living wage. Give them benefits that they need. Provide security and for their future. Take enough for yourselves and value giving more to those who most need it, rather than taking more for yourselves.
Stockholders - Support the businesses in which you invest by taking enough but not demanding always a higher percentage of gain or participating in measures that mean gain for yourselves at the expense of those who labor to help you make more. Take less if it means more for them.
Politicians - It is the people who you serve with your public service and not industries, corporations or the most wealthy and powerful. That is simple to understand. It seems a hard truth for you to honor. Our nation is only as strong as the most vulnerable among us. The creation within which we live is the only one we have or will get. Destroy nothing and no one for your own, personal gain.
These are Kingdom Values. If you claim the name of Jesus, these are what you must live. If not, then you will go away sad, like the rich young man who wanted salvation but could not follow Jesus. (Luke 18); or like the rich fool who built bigger barns for himself rather than share of his abundance and who lost it all at an unexpected death (Luke 12); or the nameless rich man who ignored the needs of the sick and poor Lazarus at his gate, only to find himself in Hell, regardless of how entitled he believed himself to be (Luke 16); or one of the goats who think they are sheep until the coming judgment of Jesus, the Christ - (Matthew 25:31-46). These Kingdom Values are part of the Law and Prophets fulfilled in Jesus. Live them. Not out of fear, but because it is the right thing to do according to the God you claim to follow - because those who God loves need you to do the right thing in this part of God's Kingdom, HERE AND NOW.
Pastor Jamie
They hear politicians say that they are the only ones who will create jobs for them, the same politicians who wage war on organized labor and even claim that wages are too high, while those who are working two jobs are still behind and struggle to make it financially.
They see executives and owners make record profits, along with stockholders while their wages remain stagnant and provide them with less every year.
They receive tax cuts that may help them with gas money for a few months of the year, while the same executives and owners get huge percentages of tax cut for themselves.
Robots are taking jobs that people once performed.
Even self-checkout machines replace cashiers at the local stores, creating long lines for those who want to deal with a person, rather than a machine because fewer cashiers are hired.
Self-pump gas stations, even self serve McDonalds screens replace workers.
Machines are made that can work longer, produce more and cost less to operate than employees.
Some companies just cut the workforce and double the work load of existing employees, rather than hire enough workers to do the job well.
But it is the low paid, hard worked immigrants who get blamed for jobs being lost.
Workers are encouraged to look for blame laterally and "below", rather than see that this is a system designed to make more for those at the top at the expense of those at the bottom, especially at election time.
We are fed at an early age that Capitalism is synonymous with Democracy and that Capitalism is the best system in the world for elevating people in their standard of living, yet intentional effort is made to make it an unjust system that has no limits at the top, while limiting the possibilities of those at the bottom, and making it impossible for them to rise even to a secure and sustainable standard of living.
Healthcare, living wage, Medicare/Medicaid, Social Security, workers' rights, the retirement age, taxation, job safety and safe land, water and air are "weaponized" at election time to keep those in power in control of the wealth.
Since 1981 a massive re-distribution of wealth has been perpetrated on the middle class and the poor for the benefit of the wealthy. It continues, unchecked today. Anyone who suggests that it is wrong or proposes measures to reverse this trend is labeled "communist" or "un-American." The Greedy, Power Mongers and Entitled are seen as the "real Americans." And many of the easily gullible have been duped into believing that they can and will be in this club someday. With the cries of "at least I'm (straight, or white or protestant or male or English speaking, or all of the above)", they believed they are in some way entitled above someone else, anyone else - desperately holding onto that belief that they hold some similarities with those who abuse them and hold them down, back and out.
Those who are not white, straight, male, protestant and/or English speaking are increasingly blamed, marginalized, victimized and demonized by those gullible, easily duped who believe what their masters tell them and blame those who they are told to blame.
BUT THE KINGDOM OF GOD holds different VALUES. And we live in the KINGDOM OF GOD, in this part of it, here and now. We are called to live by a different set of values and rules for living.
In the PARABLE OF THE LABORERS in Luke 20, we learn that God values laborers being paid what they need to sustain them, rather than what they are told they deserve for their labors. Because of that, we take a value for the work - productive, edifying work that builds up the Kingdom, knowing that we will have enough on which to live and thrive - without the worry that we won't. These were the day laborers, the least paid in society, but God values giving them enough on which to live and sustain their families. You would think that Christian employers would do the same.
Jesus also said, "the laborer deserves to be paid." (Luke 10:7)
It was a fulfillment of the Law of Moses - "You shall not withhold the wages of poor and needy laborers, whether other countrypersons or aliens who reside in your land. You shall pay them their wages daily before sunset, because they are poor and their livelihood depends on them; otherwise they might cry to the Lord against you, and you would incur guilt." (Deuteronomy 24:14-16)
Jesus also said, "For you always have the poor with you, and you can show kindness to them whenever you wish..." (Mark 14:7)
It is a direct reference to and fulfillment of the Law of Moses in Deuteronomy 15:7-11 - " If there is among you anyone in need, a member of your community in any of your towns within the land, do not be hard-hearted or tight-fisted toward your needy neighbor. You should rather open your hand, willingly lending enough to meet the need, whatever it may be... Be careful that you do not entertain a mean thought... view your needy neighbor with hostility and give nothing; your neighbor might cry to the Lord against you, and you would incur guilt. Give liberally and be ungrudging when you do so, for on this account the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in all that you undertake. Since there will never cease to be some in need on earth, I therefore COMMAND you, 'Open your hand to the poor and needy in your land.'"
Perhaps the Prophet Ezekiel has a message to our nation in this regard, refuting the teachings about the sin of Sodom that some unscrupulous false teachers have claimed and shedding light on what the sin of Sodom truly was - a sin with which we must grapple in this part of God's Kingdom, here and now -
"This was the guilt of your sister Sodom: she and her daughters had pride, excess of food, and prosperous ease, but did not aid the poor and needy. They were haughty, and did abominable things before me; therefore I removed them when I saw it." Ezekiel 16:49, 50
Indeed, from the mouth of Jesus, the Judge of all the living and the dead, we have witness in Matthew's Gospel of a vision of the return of the Christ for ALL NATIONS -
Divided into sheep or goats, saved or condemned, not based on professing faith, worshiping, praising, saying a particular prayer or tithing, but rather -
HOW WE TREAT THE MOST VULNERABLE AMONG US -
How we treat JESUS, by how we treat Jesus' sisters and brothers, especially
THE HUNGRY, NAKED, THE STRANGER IN THE LAND, THE SICK AND IMPRISONED.
God's Kingdom Values are that we give them a chance and enhance their lives as much as we are able to do so, especially from our abundance as a nation and people within it.
So, labor my friends.
Do labor that is honorable and that lifts others up, provides others with what they need and makes the creation a better place for all who live within it.
Employees - Work hard. Lift up other laborers. Demand justice for them and not just yourselves, regardless of your differences with them.
Employers - Pay them a living wage. Give them benefits that they need. Provide security and for their future. Take enough for yourselves and value giving more to those who most need it, rather than taking more for yourselves.
Stockholders - Support the businesses in which you invest by taking enough but not demanding always a higher percentage of gain or participating in measures that mean gain for yourselves at the expense of those who labor to help you make more. Take less if it means more for them.
Politicians - It is the people who you serve with your public service and not industries, corporations or the most wealthy and powerful. That is simple to understand. It seems a hard truth for you to honor. Our nation is only as strong as the most vulnerable among us. The creation within which we live is the only one we have or will get. Destroy nothing and no one for your own, personal gain.
These are Kingdom Values. If you claim the name of Jesus, these are what you must live. If not, then you will go away sad, like the rich young man who wanted salvation but could not follow Jesus. (Luke 18); or like the rich fool who built bigger barns for himself rather than share of his abundance and who lost it all at an unexpected death (Luke 12); or the nameless rich man who ignored the needs of the sick and poor Lazarus at his gate, only to find himself in Hell, regardless of how entitled he believed himself to be (Luke 16); or one of the goats who think they are sheep until the coming judgment of Jesus, the Christ - (Matthew 25:31-46). These Kingdom Values are part of the Law and Prophets fulfilled in Jesus. Live them. Not out of fear, but because it is the right thing to do according to the God you claim to follow - because those who God loves need you to do the right thing in this part of God's Kingdom, HERE AND NOW.
Pastor Jamie
Sunday, August 26, 2018
God, give me Power and Kindness... Confessions of a Pugilistic Poet
I believe whole-heartedly that this life of following Jesus is ALL about the living of Agape Love - not a feeling, but the active commitment on the behalf of the other, even stranger and enemy and especially the most vulnerable among us.
God has granted me this vision for life and ministry. I believe that I have been prepared my whole life to be an advocate for those rejected, disenfranchised, downtrodden - the held down, back and out - and that it is consistent with what God has shown in the teachings of Jesus in the Gospels, centered in Agape Love.
In our worship this morning at Glenside UCC, we were given an opportunity to take time to consider in thought and prayer the struggles we go through and how God lifts us in the midst of them. This is my prayer...
God of Grace and Mercy,
Grant me BALANCE in these troubling days of blatant lies and intentional effort to further hurt the most vulnerable, to
STAND WITH the downtrodden,
STAND UP to injustice and hatred, and
STAND AGAINST greed, lust for power and desire for status that create unhealthy and unloving, unsustainable environments in which your children languish.
Help me, Lord, to be their advocate without losing MY humanity,
and without becoming unkind and ungracious myself.
Balance my strong desire to advocate and directly oppose the hateful and hurtful
with Kindness and Grace, so that my pugilistic spirit is not ALL that others perceive.
There are enough angry voices now, Lord, so let me speak truth unambiguously with
Directness, but in Kindness and act out of Graciousness.
I wrote it. I prayed it. I mean it.
I will strive to live the pointing out of truth in the midst of lies, the standing with and standing for justice in the face of injustice, the demanding of equal and equitable treatment for all God's children and the empowerment of the powerless, being a voice for the voiceless. I will strive to do it with directness and unwavering determination, but also in Kindness and Graciousness.
The Agape Love that Jesus taught, commanded and modeled for me, as we have that in the Gospels, compels me to do no less. I am a follower of Jesus - a Person of the Way of Jesus.
So, help me, God.
Pastor Jamie
God has granted me this vision for life and ministry. I believe that I have been prepared my whole life to be an advocate for those rejected, disenfranchised, downtrodden - the held down, back and out - and that it is consistent with what God has shown in the teachings of Jesus in the Gospels, centered in Agape Love.
In our worship this morning at Glenside UCC, we were given an opportunity to take time to consider in thought and prayer the struggles we go through and how God lifts us in the midst of them. This is my prayer...
God of Grace and Mercy,
Grant me BALANCE in these troubling days of blatant lies and intentional effort to further hurt the most vulnerable, to
STAND WITH the downtrodden,
STAND UP to injustice and hatred, and
STAND AGAINST greed, lust for power and desire for status that create unhealthy and unloving, unsustainable environments in which your children languish.
Help me, Lord, to be their advocate without losing MY humanity,
and without becoming unkind and ungracious myself.
Balance my strong desire to advocate and directly oppose the hateful and hurtful
with Kindness and Grace, so that my pugilistic spirit is not ALL that others perceive.
There are enough angry voices now, Lord, so let me speak truth unambiguously with
Directness, but in Kindness and act out of Graciousness.
I wrote it. I prayed it. I mean it.
I will strive to live the pointing out of truth in the midst of lies, the standing with and standing for justice in the face of injustice, the demanding of equal and equitable treatment for all God's children and the empowerment of the powerless, being a voice for the voiceless. I will strive to do it with directness and unwavering determination, but also in Kindness and Graciousness.
The Agape Love that Jesus taught, commanded and modeled for me, as we have that in the Gospels, compels me to do no less. I am a follower of Jesus - a Person of the Way of Jesus.
So, help me, God.
Pastor Jamie
Sunday, August 19, 2018
Humility... Jesus' Way...
It is no secret as to what I believe are the unfaithful empire values of Jesus' teachings as we have them in the Gospels.
Greed - love for wealth that is meant for God and Neighbor
A sickness of being insatiable when it comes to our acquisitiveness - "affluenza"
Being conservative with one's abundance, rather than generous
Jesus taught generosity with liberality regarding our abundance (anything beyond
having just enough), toward the well-being of all.
Lust for Power - driving desperation to have power over other people
To have control over others so that they may be exploited for one's own gain
To have the ability to manipulate systems and other people for one's own pleasure
Jesus taught self-control and the sharing of power with others toward healthy,
loving community well-being.
Desire for Status - a desire to be recognized above others, honored more than others
To have influence by virtue of position and standing in/above society
Jesus taught humility instead of hubris, servitude rather than entitlement and
an unassuming character rather than arrogance.
In my earliest (bad) writing, I called this America's UNHOLY TRINITY:
Mammon
Mars
Bacchus
Even in the church, we find false and unfaithful theologies and teachings to feed these forms of
idolatry, which is, of course what this is - the raising of self in importance above others... even, to the level of where God should be in our lives.
Churches have given in to America's Idolatry with:
Prosperity Theology - the false belief that Jesus wants us to be rich, or that a person
who worships, praises and tithes will be blessed monetarily by God, when Jesus
taught that all should have enough, rather than some having in abundance while
others go without, and that we should find satisfaction in enough and give thanks
and praise for that. Community well-being is found in all having enough. Some
being "more" blessed and highly favored than others does not edify all of God's
children, and the truth is that the only ones getting rich off Prosperity Theology
were the preachers who conned people into believing them.
Self-Righteousness - the false belief that one can be righteous through one's own
purity or holiness and is justified in judging others for being less pure or holy,
and justified in trying to coerce, force or legislate them into compliance with
one's own standards and/or recognize one as being spiritually superior. This
renders us with no need for Jesus' redemption or Grace, and to believe that we can
save ourselves. The focus on personal salvation as one's only concern also leads
us to abandon the living of Agape Love with Neighbor and God. It divides
community instead of lifting it up in love. This false sense of one's superiority leads folk to
believe that they can and should have power and control over others, rather than being a part of
community in love.
Church Growth - the false belief that some churches and pastors grow because God
has blessed them above others with "the truth", when the truth is that it is usually
built on a cult of personality around the leader (rather than faithfulness to the
Christ) or an exclusive club masquerading as a church body. Distinctions are
drawn and falsely identified as entitlement, superiority or elite, which tears down
community rather than building up and divides the body of Christ rather than
drawing it together.
These are just a few expressions of the ways that empire values have crept into the church over the past 37 years. These values are now seen as normative in church culture, which fly in the face of what Jesus taught, commanded and modeled for us in how we should live, being His followers in this part of God's Kingdom, here and now - they fly in the face of Kingdom values, according to Jesus.
Our nation has been living these values of Greed, Lust for Power and Desire for Status and perfecting its empire values for almost four decades as well, so that we find ourselves in a country that once was known for its exceptional willingness to work with, defend and cooperate with other nations, even protecting those who could not protect themselves, but in the past 37 years has become a nation that
claims Jesus by name but consistently ignores what Jesus taught, commanded and modeled for living,
because it would not get us what we want.
We are a nation that values a very inequitable distribution of wealth, just like Rome.
A nation that willingly makes its own (and the world's) environment uninhabitable
for future generations, just for the sake of more profit for a few now.
We are a nation that uses its power to exploit its own people and other nations.
A nation that walks away from allies and embraces autocrats, because we want to
be just like them, even to the abandonment of our own democratic ideals.
We are a nation that desperately clings to notions of superiority, "exceptionalism" and entitlement.
A nation that lifts up false claims of superiority with regard to race, ethnicity, sexuality,
faith practice, economic class and intelligence, artistry and character.
We are a nation of rich fools, rich men who ignore those in need who are in front of them,
religious and political leaders who ignore those beaten down, debtors who despise other
debtors, arrogant party guests who take the seat of honor, people who ridiculously display
their position and wear fine clothing, people who sell out anyone for their own profit,
people who lord any authority they can muster over others - a nation of wolves in sheep's clothing
who ourselves believe the deception, a nation of blind guides who think we know God, of
hypocrites who pray publicly and crow our own (false) superiority over others - a nation of goats
who think we are sheep in the eyes of God.
We are seeing our true nature more clearly now in our racism, xenophobia, ethnocentrism, homophobia, classism, religious intolerance - in our Greed, Lust for Power and Desire for Status.
Of what are we afraid to behave this way?
When will we truly have faith in Jesus and Jesus' Way of Agape Love and Grace that draws together and builds up in humility, rather than dividing and tearing down?
Indeed, will we?
Or will we, like empires before, implode and fall because of our hubris and hatefulness?
Pastor Jamie
Greed - love for wealth that is meant for God and Neighbor
A sickness of being insatiable when it comes to our acquisitiveness - "affluenza"
Being conservative with one's abundance, rather than generous
Jesus taught generosity with liberality regarding our abundance (anything beyond
having just enough), toward the well-being of all.
Lust for Power - driving desperation to have power over other people
To have control over others so that they may be exploited for one's own gain
To have the ability to manipulate systems and other people for one's own pleasure
Jesus taught self-control and the sharing of power with others toward healthy,
loving community well-being.
Desire for Status - a desire to be recognized above others, honored more than others
To have influence by virtue of position and standing in/above society
Jesus taught humility instead of hubris, servitude rather than entitlement and
an unassuming character rather than arrogance.
In my earliest (bad) writing, I called this America's UNHOLY TRINITY:
Mammon
Mars
Bacchus
Even in the church, we find false and unfaithful theologies and teachings to feed these forms of
idolatry, which is, of course what this is - the raising of self in importance above others... even, to the level of where God should be in our lives.
Churches have given in to America's Idolatry with:
Prosperity Theology - the false belief that Jesus wants us to be rich, or that a person
who worships, praises and tithes will be blessed monetarily by God, when Jesus
taught that all should have enough, rather than some having in abundance while
others go without, and that we should find satisfaction in enough and give thanks
and praise for that. Community well-being is found in all having enough. Some
being "more" blessed and highly favored than others does not edify all of God's
children, and the truth is that the only ones getting rich off Prosperity Theology
were the preachers who conned people into believing them.
Self-Righteousness - the false belief that one can be righteous through one's own
purity or holiness and is justified in judging others for being less pure or holy,
and justified in trying to coerce, force or legislate them into compliance with
one's own standards and/or recognize one as being spiritually superior. This
renders us with no need for Jesus' redemption or Grace, and to believe that we can
save ourselves. The focus on personal salvation as one's only concern also leads
us to abandon the living of Agape Love with Neighbor and God. It divides
community instead of lifting it up in love. This false sense of one's superiority leads folk to
believe that they can and should have power and control over others, rather than being a part of
community in love.
Church Growth - the false belief that some churches and pastors grow because God
has blessed them above others with "the truth", when the truth is that it is usually
built on a cult of personality around the leader (rather than faithfulness to the
Christ) or an exclusive club masquerading as a church body. Distinctions are
drawn and falsely identified as entitlement, superiority or elite, which tears down
community rather than building up and divides the body of Christ rather than
drawing it together.
These are just a few expressions of the ways that empire values have crept into the church over the past 37 years. These values are now seen as normative in church culture, which fly in the face of what Jesus taught, commanded and modeled for us in how we should live, being His followers in this part of God's Kingdom, here and now - they fly in the face of Kingdom values, according to Jesus.
Our nation has been living these values of Greed, Lust for Power and Desire for Status and perfecting its empire values for almost four decades as well, so that we find ourselves in a country that once was known for its exceptional willingness to work with, defend and cooperate with other nations, even protecting those who could not protect themselves, but in the past 37 years has become a nation that
claims Jesus by name but consistently ignores what Jesus taught, commanded and modeled for living,
because it would not get us what we want.
We are a nation that values a very inequitable distribution of wealth, just like Rome.
A nation that willingly makes its own (and the world's) environment uninhabitable
for future generations, just for the sake of more profit for a few now.
We are a nation that uses its power to exploit its own people and other nations.
A nation that walks away from allies and embraces autocrats, because we want to
be just like them, even to the abandonment of our own democratic ideals.
We are a nation that desperately clings to notions of superiority, "exceptionalism" and entitlement.
A nation that lifts up false claims of superiority with regard to race, ethnicity, sexuality,
faith practice, economic class and intelligence, artistry and character.
We are a nation of rich fools, rich men who ignore those in need who are in front of them,
religious and political leaders who ignore those beaten down, debtors who despise other
debtors, arrogant party guests who take the seat of honor, people who ridiculously display
their position and wear fine clothing, people who sell out anyone for their own profit,
people who lord any authority they can muster over others - a nation of wolves in sheep's clothing
who ourselves believe the deception, a nation of blind guides who think we know God, of
hypocrites who pray publicly and crow our own (false) superiority over others - a nation of goats
who think we are sheep in the eyes of God.
We are seeing our true nature more clearly now in our racism, xenophobia, ethnocentrism, homophobia, classism, religious intolerance - in our Greed, Lust for Power and Desire for Status.
Of what are we afraid to behave this way?
When will we truly have faith in Jesus and Jesus' Way of Agape Love and Grace that draws together and builds up in humility, rather than dividing and tearing down?
Indeed, will we?
Or will we, like empires before, implode and fall because of our hubris and hatefulness?
Pastor Jamie
Sunday, August 12, 2018
... facing the darkness...
Ephesians 5:6-14 speaks to me in times like these.
The context is sexual darkness - using other human beings for our own pleasure with no value for them other than that pleasure we gain (however that happens).
The context is GREED as darkness, likened to impurity and idolatry.
We are warned not to be deceived with empty words by those who would reckon these as normal and acceptable things.
We are told not to associate with those who would embrace them as normative, acceptable values.
We are told to "take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them."
I believe that the same advice applies to bigoted hatred. It is certainly darkness and not light.
In verses 15-21...
We are advised to "be careful how (we) live, not as unwise people, but as wise", to "not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is."
Finally, the punch line -
"BE SUBJECT TO ONE ANOTHER OUT OF REVERENCE FOR CHRIST."
It is centered, yes, on Agape Love. It is all about the living of Agape Love.
If we are actively committed to the well-being of the other, even stranger and enemy and especially the most vulnerable, we will not use people for sexual pleasure, we will not value profit above people and we will not live out of hatred for others.
1. To expose the darkness, we must acknowledge what is darkness.
We cannot stand by the burning cross that represents a fearful hatred, shrouded in a false
white "supremacy" and talk about the light of Christ. In that we have lost the Christ.
We must see the bigotry that many embrace as normative behavior and system of belief
for what it is - an irrational, unreasoned, unloving reaction out of fear to the unknown.
We must see that the fear is used to manipulate people to hate each other for the sake of
some who want to have or keep power and wealth for themselves. We must see that
xenophobia, homophobia, racism, classism and religious intolerance are darkness and not
light, along with nationalism and ethnocentrism, no matter how "positively" they may be
packaged.
2. To expose the darkness, we must stand in the light and not in the darkness.
We cannot associate with those who stand in the darkness as normative behavior and values,
for that gives them more credibility than they should have and our compliance is seen as
agreement and we then become a part of spreading the darkness.
We must be different, think differently, act differently, speak differently, walk differently.
We must not acquiesce for the sake of personal relationships or because it is convenient in the
moment or to preserve our own comfort in the moment, or for personal gain. Standing
in the darkness does not eliminate the darkness. It gives credence to the darkness.
3. To expose the darkness, we must address it.
To call evil goodness is one thing. To see evil and not call it out is another. And it is the
same. Silence is compliance, and lends itself to the promulgation of evil. If I see evil,
acknowledge it as evil, stand against the evil but do not speak or write or stand against it
publicly, I am compliant with evil and have contributed therefore to the darkness. To
eliminate the darkness, we shed light on the darkness, expose it for what it is and replace
it with light.
Charlottesville.
NFL Protests.
Deportations.
Taking away rights of women.
Taking away workers' rights and benefits.
Helping the wealthy while hurting the poor and taking from the elderly.
Taking away healthcare from people who need it.
Eliminating Civil Rights.
Calling the truth lies and lies the truth.
Normalizing Hatred, Intolerance, Greed, lust for Power and Status as good values.
Those things presented in this climate as light are most often darkness.
Do you acknowledge the darkness for what it is?
Do you stand in the light, against the darkness?
Do you address it with your words and actions?
We are subject to one another out of reverence for Christ, who commands us to live Agape Love.
Are you a part of the darkness or a part of the light?
Pastor Jamie
The context is sexual darkness - using other human beings for our own pleasure with no value for them other than that pleasure we gain (however that happens).
The context is GREED as darkness, likened to impurity and idolatry.
We are warned not to be deceived with empty words by those who would reckon these as normal and acceptable things.
We are told not to associate with those who would embrace them as normative, acceptable values.
We are told to "take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them."
I believe that the same advice applies to bigoted hatred. It is certainly darkness and not light.
In verses 15-21...
We are advised to "be careful how (we) live, not as unwise people, but as wise", to "not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is."
Finally, the punch line -
"BE SUBJECT TO ONE ANOTHER OUT OF REVERENCE FOR CHRIST."
It is centered, yes, on Agape Love. It is all about the living of Agape Love.
If we are actively committed to the well-being of the other, even stranger and enemy and especially the most vulnerable, we will not use people for sexual pleasure, we will not value profit above people and we will not live out of hatred for others.
1. To expose the darkness, we must acknowledge what is darkness.
We cannot stand by the burning cross that represents a fearful hatred, shrouded in a false
white "supremacy" and talk about the light of Christ. In that we have lost the Christ.
We must see the bigotry that many embrace as normative behavior and system of belief
for what it is - an irrational, unreasoned, unloving reaction out of fear to the unknown.
We must see that the fear is used to manipulate people to hate each other for the sake of
some who want to have or keep power and wealth for themselves. We must see that
xenophobia, homophobia, racism, classism and religious intolerance are darkness and not
light, along with nationalism and ethnocentrism, no matter how "positively" they may be
packaged.
2. To expose the darkness, we must stand in the light and not in the darkness.
We cannot associate with those who stand in the darkness as normative behavior and values,
for that gives them more credibility than they should have and our compliance is seen as
agreement and we then become a part of spreading the darkness.
We must be different, think differently, act differently, speak differently, walk differently.
We must not acquiesce for the sake of personal relationships or because it is convenient in the
moment or to preserve our own comfort in the moment, or for personal gain. Standing
in the darkness does not eliminate the darkness. It gives credence to the darkness.
3. To expose the darkness, we must address it.
To call evil goodness is one thing. To see evil and not call it out is another. And it is the
same. Silence is compliance, and lends itself to the promulgation of evil. If I see evil,
acknowledge it as evil, stand against the evil but do not speak or write or stand against it
publicly, I am compliant with evil and have contributed therefore to the darkness. To
eliminate the darkness, we shed light on the darkness, expose it for what it is and replace
it with light.
Charlottesville.
NFL Protests.
Deportations.
Taking away rights of women.
Taking away workers' rights and benefits.
Helping the wealthy while hurting the poor and taking from the elderly.
Taking away healthcare from people who need it.
Eliminating Civil Rights.
Calling the truth lies and lies the truth.
Normalizing Hatred, Intolerance, Greed, lust for Power and Status as good values.
Those things presented in this climate as light are most often darkness.
Do you acknowledge the darkness for what it is?
Do you stand in the light, against the darkness?
Do you address it with your words and actions?
We are subject to one another out of reverence for Christ, who commands us to live Agape Love.
Are you a part of the darkness or a part of the light?
Pastor Jamie
Sunday, August 5, 2018
Climate Change
Matthew 14:22-33
I have been in a boat when the climate changed. Storms blow up on small bodies of water rather quickly, and it can have devastating results. It is frightening. I often think about the dynamic among the disciples in this story of Peter walking (briefly) on the water. They may have reacted to Peter by this time in Matthew's Gospel, knowing who Peter is - the impulsive, bold and often failing to deliver Peter. But they did not get out of the boat. I picture them cowering in the boat, criticizing Peter and wondering why Jesus is not saving them from the waves that were battering the boat. It had happened before, as told in chapter 8 of this Gospel, and Jesus was asleep. Peter learned something (though not enough) in that encounter and it made him bolder this time, in faith (though not enough). Peter was fine when he directly addressed the chaos of the storm in getting out of the boat. Peter failed by losing sight of the source of his faith as he faced it. Then it seemed too powerful to overcome and he started to succumb to the wind and waves of chaos.
The climate on our planet is changing. We are quickly approaching the time when even the hardest profiteers and their ignorant minions will no longer be able to deny that the devastating results have caught up to us. Regardless of how we react to it, we are in the same boat. Fires burn out of control (due to extreme heat and drought), earthquakes (mostly in fracking zones) and flooding are abundant, and tornadoes and hurricanes are more frequent and much more devastating. Folk await Jesus to awaken, and the bold ones await seeing Jesus walking to them, waiting to be delivered from a storm that we created ourselves. Some lose sight of the source of their faith and others never see the need to counter the chaos with action.
The climate in the nation has changed. The molten hatred, once dormant under the surface until the election of a black man as President, has now actively bubbled to the surface and threatens to burn it all down. The greed, lust for power and desire for status that have always been there among the elites who control the power and wealth have caused greater rifts in the social fabric and offer threatening and dark times ahead for the many as they fight the winds of doctrine and the waves of false teaching that the church contributes to the storm for its own gain. We are in the same boat, and all afraid, and some are criticizing anyone who would be bold enough to suggest a way out in faith, while others cower in fear or remain calm in delusion and look for supernatural intervention amid the turmoil we all created.
The Gospel stories end well. In both cases, the followers of Jesus were rebuked, like the wind and waves of the chaos themselves, but for having too little faith.
In what is our faith? Is it in the ideology that we can do whatever we want and never face consequences because we have a cosmic enabler who will constantly rescue us from the consequences of our addiction to wealth, power and status? Is it in the hubris of belief that we can actively destroy the creation upon which we rely for our own greed and convenience, and that Jesus, our supernatural Rescuer and First Responder will come and snap a finger to make it all go back to calm?
In what is our faith? Is it in the truth that God gave us minds and hearts, souls and strength enough not to get into these messes and to work them out when we have gotten into them? Is it in the truth that we have been given a better way - Jesus' Way of Agape Love and Grace - to guide us away from the storms and sustain the life we have here, as a part of the Creation and the humanity that God created and loves?
In what is your faith? How much do you have? What will you do with it? Will you be of little faith and create the storms that others must suffer? Will you be of little faith and cower in the boat in which we are all tossed about, or step out in faith? Will you be of little faith and believe that God is not with us in it or does not care about us being in it? Will you recognize Jesus when Jesus comes, or have the empire values that helped create the chaos rendering Jesus just a rumored wisp of myth in your eyes? Do you see Jesus as Lord of all life or just an Enabler and Rescuer when you want Him to supernaturally intervene?
How will you face the storm in which we all lie about now? Will you face it? Will you act?
Make no mistake. We are all in it, together.
Pastor Jamie
I have been in a boat when the climate changed. Storms blow up on small bodies of water rather quickly, and it can have devastating results. It is frightening. I often think about the dynamic among the disciples in this story of Peter walking (briefly) on the water. They may have reacted to Peter by this time in Matthew's Gospel, knowing who Peter is - the impulsive, bold and often failing to deliver Peter. But they did not get out of the boat. I picture them cowering in the boat, criticizing Peter and wondering why Jesus is not saving them from the waves that were battering the boat. It had happened before, as told in chapter 8 of this Gospel, and Jesus was asleep. Peter learned something (though not enough) in that encounter and it made him bolder this time, in faith (though not enough). Peter was fine when he directly addressed the chaos of the storm in getting out of the boat. Peter failed by losing sight of the source of his faith as he faced it. Then it seemed too powerful to overcome and he started to succumb to the wind and waves of chaos.
The climate on our planet is changing. We are quickly approaching the time when even the hardest profiteers and their ignorant minions will no longer be able to deny that the devastating results have caught up to us. Regardless of how we react to it, we are in the same boat. Fires burn out of control (due to extreme heat and drought), earthquakes (mostly in fracking zones) and flooding are abundant, and tornadoes and hurricanes are more frequent and much more devastating. Folk await Jesus to awaken, and the bold ones await seeing Jesus walking to them, waiting to be delivered from a storm that we created ourselves. Some lose sight of the source of their faith and others never see the need to counter the chaos with action.
The climate in the nation has changed. The molten hatred, once dormant under the surface until the election of a black man as President, has now actively bubbled to the surface and threatens to burn it all down. The greed, lust for power and desire for status that have always been there among the elites who control the power and wealth have caused greater rifts in the social fabric and offer threatening and dark times ahead for the many as they fight the winds of doctrine and the waves of false teaching that the church contributes to the storm for its own gain. We are in the same boat, and all afraid, and some are criticizing anyone who would be bold enough to suggest a way out in faith, while others cower in fear or remain calm in delusion and look for supernatural intervention amid the turmoil we all created.
The Gospel stories end well. In both cases, the followers of Jesus were rebuked, like the wind and waves of the chaos themselves, but for having too little faith.
In what is our faith? Is it in the ideology that we can do whatever we want and never face consequences because we have a cosmic enabler who will constantly rescue us from the consequences of our addiction to wealth, power and status? Is it in the hubris of belief that we can actively destroy the creation upon which we rely for our own greed and convenience, and that Jesus, our supernatural Rescuer and First Responder will come and snap a finger to make it all go back to calm?
In what is our faith? Is it in the truth that God gave us minds and hearts, souls and strength enough not to get into these messes and to work them out when we have gotten into them? Is it in the truth that we have been given a better way - Jesus' Way of Agape Love and Grace - to guide us away from the storms and sustain the life we have here, as a part of the Creation and the humanity that God created and loves?
In what is your faith? How much do you have? What will you do with it? Will you be of little faith and create the storms that others must suffer? Will you be of little faith and cower in the boat in which we are all tossed about, or step out in faith? Will you be of little faith and believe that God is not with us in it or does not care about us being in it? Will you recognize Jesus when Jesus comes, or have the empire values that helped create the chaos rendering Jesus just a rumored wisp of myth in your eyes? Do you see Jesus as Lord of all life or just an Enabler and Rescuer when you want Him to supernaturally intervene?
How will you face the storm in which we all lie about now? Will you face it? Will you act?
Make no mistake. We are all in it, together.
Pastor Jamie
Sunday, July 29, 2018
more about truth... here and now
The TRUTH is that Jesus commanded us to live Agape Love (active commitment on behalf of the other, even stranger and enemy and especially those who are most vulnerable (see Luke 10, Matthew 22, 25, etc.).
The TRUTH is that Jesus calls us not to purity and holiness, but to faithfulness to the living of that Agape Love in this part of God's Kingdom, here and now.
The TRUTH is that Jesus redeemed us and calls us not to focus on our personal salvation, but rather to offer our lives in the living of Agape Love to others, children of God, here and now.
The TRUTH is that tithing and praise do not save us. Our purity and holiness do not save us. Our adherence to the Law does not save us. God's Grace in Jesus saves us.
The TRUTH is that we are called to live Agape Love not in order to be saved, but BECAUSE we are saved and love God in Christ Jesus and want to live identified with Jesus and His teachings.
The TRUTH is that living in any other way is not sustainable in our lives together. When the values we exhibit are Greed, lust for Power and desire for Status (empire values), it causes divisions, inequities, strife, despair, poverty, war and a lack of Shalom (well-being, completeness, wholeness). When we live according to Jesus' teachings, commands and examples of Agape Love, Shalom is the result for all.
The TRUTH is that we are either people of Agape Love and Grace or we are not. "By their fruits you will know them."
The TRUTH is that Jesus did not promise wealth, but ENOUGH for all in the living of Agape Love. Jesus did not promise that our lives would be pain or struggle free, but that our struggles would be struggle toward the well-being of all. Jesus did not promise us position and power, status and control over others but control over ourselves and in humility the well-being that all around us need.
The TRUTH is that Jesus called us to deny our selves, pick up the Cross and follow Him - go where He went, live like He lived, give like He gave, affect lives in positive ways like He did - as we have witness in the Gospels.
The TRUTH is that there are folk who will strive to follow Jesus in how they live, there are folk who will overtly reject all things of what Jesus taught, commanded and modeled and there are people who will claim the name of Jesus but live empire values in order to promote themselves above others.'
The TRUTH is that we did not decide to believe. God gave us faith as a gift. The Holy Spirit of God leads, guides and drives me to Christ Jesus, relentlessly pointing to Christ Jesus in my life. The truth is that we either live in that faith or we actively reject it. The truth is that we either decide to follow Jesus or to walk away sad like the rich young man who wanted to be with God but could not give up the benefits of living empire values in the world.
The TRUTH is that God loves all and offers Agape Love and Grace to all. But the TRUTH is that there are sheep and goats. God takes sides. God sides with the most vulnerable, the stranger, the poor, the sick, the (mostly wrongly) imprisoned and those most humble. The teachings in parables, the commands of Jesus, the examples of loving that Jesus gave us lift these up in the Kingdom as examples of God's loved ones.
The TRUTH is that there is only one Judge - Jesus, the Christ. His judgment, according to the Judge, will be based on the criteria centered on Agape Love that Jesus taught, commanded and modeled for us as we have that in the Gospels (Matthew 25:31-46).
So, given the TRUTH - what side are YOU on? What actions do YOU take in the world around you to commit to the well-being of the most vulnerable who God loves, or to exploit, hurt or destroy their lives? How do you use your words? How do you use your money? How do you use your time? How do you use your abilities? Is it to benefit those around you in Agape Love or to only benefit yourself in greed, lust for power and desire for status?
Given the TRUTH, are you a follower of Jesus or are you not?
Given the TRUTH of your answer. What will you now do in your life?
Will you follow Jesus in the living of Agape Love in this part of God's Kingdom, here and now, toward the Shalom of all people -
or will you live the empire values of Greed, lust for Power and desire for Status that hurts others for your own gain?
Jesus said that His Word would divide people, even within families.
We have seen the divisions widen greatly in the past two years.
The question is - What side are you on?
Pastor Jamie
The TRUTH is that Jesus calls us not to purity and holiness, but to faithfulness to the living of that Agape Love in this part of God's Kingdom, here and now.
The TRUTH is that Jesus redeemed us and calls us not to focus on our personal salvation, but rather to offer our lives in the living of Agape Love to others, children of God, here and now.
The TRUTH is that tithing and praise do not save us. Our purity and holiness do not save us. Our adherence to the Law does not save us. God's Grace in Jesus saves us.
The TRUTH is that we are called to live Agape Love not in order to be saved, but BECAUSE we are saved and love God in Christ Jesus and want to live identified with Jesus and His teachings.
The TRUTH is that living in any other way is not sustainable in our lives together. When the values we exhibit are Greed, lust for Power and desire for Status (empire values), it causes divisions, inequities, strife, despair, poverty, war and a lack of Shalom (well-being, completeness, wholeness). When we live according to Jesus' teachings, commands and examples of Agape Love, Shalom is the result for all.
The TRUTH is that we are either people of Agape Love and Grace or we are not. "By their fruits you will know them."
The TRUTH is that Jesus did not promise wealth, but ENOUGH for all in the living of Agape Love. Jesus did not promise that our lives would be pain or struggle free, but that our struggles would be struggle toward the well-being of all. Jesus did not promise us position and power, status and control over others but control over ourselves and in humility the well-being that all around us need.
The TRUTH is that Jesus called us to deny our selves, pick up the Cross and follow Him - go where He went, live like He lived, give like He gave, affect lives in positive ways like He did - as we have witness in the Gospels.
The TRUTH is that there are folk who will strive to follow Jesus in how they live, there are folk who will overtly reject all things of what Jesus taught, commanded and modeled and there are people who will claim the name of Jesus but live empire values in order to promote themselves above others.'
The TRUTH is that we did not decide to believe. God gave us faith as a gift. The Holy Spirit of God leads, guides and drives me to Christ Jesus, relentlessly pointing to Christ Jesus in my life. The truth is that we either live in that faith or we actively reject it. The truth is that we either decide to follow Jesus or to walk away sad like the rich young man who wanted to be with God but could not give up the benefits of living empire values in the world.
The TRUTH is that God loves all and offers Agape Love and Grace to all. But the TRUTH is that there are sheep and goats. God takes sides. God sides with the most vulnerable, the stranger, the poor, the sick, the (mostly wrongly) imprisoned and those most humble. The teachings in parables, the commands of Jesus, the examples of loving that Jesus gave us lift these up in the Kingdom as examples of God's loved ones.
The TRUTH is that there is only one Judge - Jesus, the Christ. His judgment, according to the Judge, will be based on the criteria centered on Agape Love that Jesus taught, commanded and modeled for us as we have that in the Gospels (Matthew 25:31-46).
So, given the TRUTH - what side are YOU on? What actions do YOU take in the world around you to commit to the well-being of the most vulnerable who God loves, or to exploit, hurt or destroy their lives? How do you use your words? How do you use your money? How do you use your time? How do you use your abilities? Is it to benefit those around you in Agape Love or to only benefit yourself in greed, lust for power and desire for status?
Given the TRUTH, are you a follower of Jesus or are you not?
Given the TRUTH of your answer. What will you now do in your life?
Will you follow Jesus in the living of Agape Love in this part of God's Kingdom, here and now, toward the Shalom of all people -
or will you live the empire values of Greed, lust for Power and desire for Status that hurts others for your own gain?
Jesus said that His Word would divide people, even within families.
We have seen the divisions widen greatly in the past two years.
The question is - What side are you on?
Pastor Jamie
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