As I delve into social media more, I am reminded that we humans might have bigger, better, faster, more advanced toys, but we still – too often – behave like hooligans. We might have bigger weapons, but most of us haven’t seemed to have advanced our ethics beyond the level of Neanderthals waving clubs around. As a child, I remember the words of people I knew who did not participate in faith communities – the complaints of hypocrisy were as plentiful then as they are now. One church member’s husband, a kind, nature loving gentleman who went for long hikes while his wife attended church, used to say that he got more God and less lying while communing with nature. He wasn’t wrong, and he wasn’t alone.
One of the things Jesus hated most was religious hypocrites. He and John the Baptist called them out from the beginning to the end of their kingdom-announcing missions. At some point, though, the movement became more about you said you believed than what you did with those beliefs. This has allowed a lot of hypocritical behavior over the centuries, and it isn’t getting any better. And by the way, the Apostle Paul wasn’t just about being saved by grace and faith – he believed in doing as well. The old adage is still true: the best sermon is a good example. We are known for who we are by what we do – or don’t do – not just what we say we believe.
If your faith is more about saying you believe rather than loving people, you may have your priorities mixed up. The one commandment Jesus left us with is that we must love one another. Not optional – mandatory. Most of His stories were about how people helped others in times of need. Sure, He cared about good behavior and saying the right things, but they only matter if our actions care for others. This is why, I think, so many people have abandoned organized religion -too many words and too little good being done. Too many lies about being faithful and not enough care being given. Too many platitudes and not enough feeding and housing and accepting of others. You want to show the world what you believe? Stop talking and start doing good works. That is what defines us. Then we can truly sing, “They will know we are Christians by our …”
Prayer – Holy God, it takes work for us to continue to follow You and do what You ask. Encourage our hearts and minds and bodies to be Your people in the world. Amen.
Today’s art is called “Gaia” by Daniel Loveday.