I think that it has always been easy to be a Christian in America, but I also think it has always been hard to be a follower of Jesus in America as well. It isn’t that there’s no overlap; both should be part of faith communities, and both should try to live according to His teachings. Both should talk about their faith and try to help others understand what they believe, and both should try to figure out what God wants. The difference, to me, is that a lot of God-Fearing Christians follow on the surface, while followers of Jesus believe to the depths of their souls. Like the Pharisees Jesus spoke of who were shiny and polished on the outside but poisonous on the inside, a lot of people claim to be followers of Jesus when what they really are about is being God-Fearing Christians. They live with praise on their lips and hate in their hearts.
A God-Fearing Christian is someone who follows the rules without empathy, even when those rules have nothing to do with actual lived faith. A follower of Jesus pays close attention to the spirit, as well as the letter, of the law. God-Fearing Christians try to force their way of life on others; followers of Jesus try to live generously, meeting people’s needs. God-Fearing Christians talk about Jesus while they hurt the people who need God the most. Followers of Jesus try to treat all people equally, regardless of their faith or orientation or race or anything else. God-Fearing Christians live as if God was on their backs, judging every little thing they do; followers of Jesus try to make the world a better place while embracing the messiness of life with joy. Neither one gets it right every time, and neither one gets it wrong every time. The difference, I think, is that God-Fearing Christians do it out of compulsion while followers of Jesus do it out of compassion.
I am not saying that anyone in either group makes it to heaven or hell – that is God’s area of expertise, not mine. What I am saying is that trying to follow Jesus seems like it is a lot more joyful and life-affirming than living every moment with fear in our hearts and anger in our minds. Trying to follow Jesus allows His simple command to love one another to lead, rather than rigid restrictions that are mostly man-made. Living a life of faith that is applauded by others feeds the ego; living a life of faith that fills someone’s needs is all about God. I find that joy is better than fear – it makes life so much more rewarding.
Prayer – Holy God, create in us a heart filled with joy and generosity, not judgment and anger. Amen.
Today’s art is “Family Tree of Happiness” by Olha Darchuk.