All You Need is Love
A few days ago, I was pleased to discover another of my friends from Furman has an account with Blogger. He is someone I am good friends with, and he led the creative arts/drama for BCM last year. For as long as I have known him, he's always impressed me with how indepth and articulate he is about his beliefs as well as his faith. Unlike many people I know, he doesn't stop thinking about what God is telling him with just one reading or one analysis of Scripture or any form of writing. He likes to dig in deep, probe every possible layer, and debate on multiple points. He's never satisfied with rote recitations of Scripture with one be-all, end-all interpretation from them, and he challenges both himself and others to really study them with open minds to all sorts of lessons that God can give us through them. There are many things about what he calls "extreme religion" that trouble him a great deal. Here's some of his thoughts:
I am sickened by the ignorance of extreme religion. I am sickened by people who consistently claim to love Jesus, or God, but clearly hate the people God would have loved, and does love - gays, lesbians, abortionists, feminists, liberalists, fundamentalists or any other -ists that have beliefs that may be something other than socially or religiously toward the extreme.
I am disturbed by beliefs that women (and men) be bound to strict rights and responsibilities based on ancient writings taken out of their context, and further placed forcefully into our own.I am made deeply concerned by Christians who are willing to squelch any form of questioning that may not involve clear answers, as if all answers can be found in some form of scripture, even on subjects that scripture never mentions at all. I am amazed at the open, intentional hypocrisy of Christians who thus think that they know God well enough to believe in a boundary-laden, concrete systematic theology.
I am mystified by people who allow Luther, Calvin, Augustine, Aquinas, James Dobson or Focus on the Family, the Southern Baptist Convention or any other person or entity speak for them and form their close-minded thoughts concerning religion and the world. If that is all that they can bring to the table, then I say go back to the Reformation, go back to the Third Century, and go back to Nashville. Those thoughts only hinder the world; they hinder it from the progressivism that ushers in equality, and justice, and oneness and peace that Jesus talks about.
Hard, powerful stuff. This is another thing I really like about my friend. He's not afraid to mince words, or to cut right to the heart of a topic. If there's a problem out there or something that he knows is wrong, he'll come right out and address it. Would that I could always have that boldness!
I have to say that I absolutely agree with every one of his points. Jesus loves people. He doesn't play favorites or set standards or boundaries around his love. He doesn't say he loves this group more than he loves another one, or that he lets a certain people off their sin easy while condemning another. None of that is true. None of it can be found anywhere in the Bible. His love is absolute, perfect, and unconditional. We, ALL of us, have the chance to know it, and to be saved by it. The only thing that stands in the way of that love is our sin. It's not about what we've done or what we have or what kind of group we are; none of that has any value in the eyes of our Lord. It's about the fact that we are sinners who have fallen short of His glory, and His only desire is for us to accept Him, let Him take away our sins, the thing that separates us from His love, and enter into a personal relationship with Christ.
When we choose to ignore people, to look down with condescending eyes on someone who we feel somehow isn't worthy of our time, not even to smile or say 'hello' or 'how are you doing,' we aren't showing God's love to others. We aren't following Jesus' example. Jesus did this sort of thing all the time. He spoke with the different tribes and nationalities. He ate and communed with "sinners." He gathered 12 ordinary men, losers by the world's standards, and made them his disciples! I just love this. It's not about our standards, our status, or our codes. It's about the love of Christ displayed unconditionally to all people. There isn't a person on the face of this Earth who doesn't have the chance to know that love; there really isn't. Shouldn't that inspire us to reach out to them, and to be the living examples of Christ's transforming power that God wants us to be?
That's what I want, and I'm only sorry to admit I've messed up on that so many times. Whether I've let my own problems get in the way and not allowed God to take care of them that I've missed opportunities to get out and meet people, or just "not cared" on a given day, I'm nowhere near perfect on that. I can only say that God is a loving, forgiving God whom I can always cry out to for forgiveness of my own ignorance, and who is always right there to take my burdens away and to cleanse my heart. I can't put into words the feeling I have knowing that God forgives sin, and forgets it. It really is as far away as the east from the west. Knowing I don't have to live in bondage to it anymore is the most liberating feeling I can think of. Shouldn't that inspire us to show that love to other people we meet, regardless of background or beliefs that differ from ours? None of that can set limits on the love of Christ. His love is unconditional and he wants us to share that free gift to others, bringing them to Him.
*sigh* I want to thank my friend for posting this. He's an awesome believer who has a boldness and courage that I wish I could have more often than I usually do. Lord, I pray that you will fill me with that boldness as only Your Holy Spirit can. Please convict my heart and show me Your will in ministry to others. I love You, Father God.
Beach vacation continues to be lots of relaxing fun. Last night was quieter than usual, as my parents went out for a well-deserved night on the town. They had dinner in Myrtle Beach and then went to a dance club where they got to do some shagging. :) That left me and the siblings at the hotel, so we ordered a pepperoni & cheese pizza and watched movies for most of the evening and night. Mom and Dad didn't get back until soon after midnight.
I woke up at about 5:00 this morning and did my usual walk/jog to the Cherry Grove pier that I do every time we come down here on vacation. I have to say, this year more than any, the walk was much easier than I can remember it being. I'm grateful for Health class and my exercise regimen at Furman; it's made my legs so much stronger than the years in which I was left panting and aching from the hour-long stretch to the pier and back.
Tonight has me excited. My family will be doing something we've never done here at the beach before: bowling! It's looking like tonight will be our last night down here (unless a room unexpectedly opens up at the last second) so we plan to make the most of it. Hope all is well with those of you taking the time to read this! Later!
Song of the Day: Matthew West - "More"
Verse of the Day: "God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love, and of self-discipline." - 2 Timothy 1:7
I am sickened by the ignorance of extreme religion. I am sickened by people who consistently claim to love Jesus, or God, but clearly hate the people God would have loved, and does love - gays, lesbians, abortionists, feminists, liberalists, fundamentalists or any other -ists that have beliefs that may be something other than socially or religiously toward the extreme.
I am disturbed by beliefs that women (and men) be bound to strict rights and responsibilities based on ancient writings taken out of their context, and further placed forcefully into our own.I am made deeply concerned by Christians who are willing to squelch any form of questioning that may not involve clear answers, as if all answers can be found in some form of scripture, even on subjects that scripture never mentions at all. I am amazed at the open, intentional hypocrisy of Christians who thus think that they know God well enough to believe in a boundary-laden, concrete systematic theology.
I am mystified by people who allow Luther, Calvin, Augustine, Aquinas, James Dobson or Focus on the Family, the Southern Baptist Convention or any other person or entity speak for them and form their close-minded thoughts concerning religion and the world. If that is all that they can bring to the table, then I say go back to the Reformation, go back to the Third Century, and go back to Nashville. Those thoughts only hinder the world; they hinder it from the progressivism that ushers in equality, and justice, and oneness and peace that Jesus talks about.
Hard, powerful stuff. This is another thing I really like about my friend. He's not afraid to mince words, or to cut right to the heart of a topic. If there's a problem out there or something that he knows is wrong, he'll come right out and address it. Would that I could always have that boldness!
I have to say that I absolutely agree with every one of his points. Jesus loves people. He doesn't play favorites or set standards or boundaries around his love. He doesn't say he loves this group more than he loves another one, or that he lets a certain people off their sin easy while condemning another. None of that is true. None of it can be found anywhere in the Bible. His love is absolute, perfect, and unconditional. We, ALL of us, have the chance to know it, and to be saved by it. The only thing that stands in the way of that love is our sin. It's not about what we've done or what we have or what kind of group we are; none of that has any value in the eyes of our Lord. It's about the fact that we are sinners who have fallen short of His glory, and His only desire is for us to accept Him, let Him take away our sins, the thing that separates us from His love, and enter into a personal relationship with Christ.
When we choose to ignore people, to look down with condescending eyes on someone who we feel somehow isn't worthy of our time, not even to smile or say 'hello' or 'how are you doing,' we aren't showing God's love to others. We aren't following Jesus' example. Jesus did this sort of thing all the time. He spoke with the different tribes and nationalities. He ate and communed with "sinners." He gathered 12 ordinary men, losers by the world's standards, and made them his disciples! I just love this. It's not about our standards, our status, or our codes. It's about the love of Christ displayed unconditionally to all people. There isn't a person on the face of this Earth who doesn't have the chance to know that love; there really isn't. Shouldn't that inspire us to reach out to them, and to be the living examples of Christ's transforming power that God wants us to be?
That's what I want, and I'm only sorry to admit I've messed up on that so many times. Whether I've let my own problems get in the way and not allowed God to take care of them that I've missed opportunities to get out and meet people, or just "not cared" on a given day, I'm nowhere near perfect on that. I can only say that God is a loving, forgiving God whom I can always cry out to for forgiveness of my own ignorance, and who is always right there to take my burdens away and to cleanse my heart. I can't put into words the feeling I have knowing that God forgives sin, and forgets it. It really is as far away as the east from the west. Knowing I don't have to live in bondage to it anymore is the most liberating feeling I can think of. Shouldn't that inspire us to show that love to other people we meet, regardless of background or beliefs that differ from ours? None of that can set limits on the love of Christ. His love is unconditional and he wants us to share that free gift to others, bringing them to Him.
*sigh* I want to thank my friend for posting this. He's an awesome believer who has a boldness and courage that I wish I could have more often than I usually do. Lord, I pray that you will fill me with that boldness as only Your Holy Spirit can. Please convict my heart and show me Your will in ministry to others. I love You, Father God.
Beach vacation continues to be lots of relaxing fun. Last night was quieter than usual, as my parents went out for a well-deserved night on the town. They had dinner in Myrtle Beach and then went to a dance club where they got to do some shagging. :) That left me and the siblings at the hotel, so we ordered a pepperoni & cheese pizza and watched movies for most of the evening and night. Mom and Dad didn't get back until soon after midnight.
I woke up at about 5:00 this morning and did my usual walk/jog to the Cherry Grove pier that I do every time we come down here on vacation. I have to say, this year more than any, the walk was much easier than I can remember it being. I'm grateful for Health class and my exercise regimen at Furman; it's made my legs so much stronger than the years in which I was left panting and aching from the hour-long stretch to the pier and back.
Tonight has me excited. My family will be doing something we've never done here at the beach before: bowling! It's looking like tonight will be our last night down here (unless a room unexpectedly opens up at the last second) so we plan to make the most of it. Hope all is well with those of you taking the time to read this! Later!
Song of the Day: Matthew West - "More"
Verse of the Day: "God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love, and of self-discipline." - 2 Timothy 1:7
posted by david @ 11:06 AM
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