What does the religion of Jesus requires us to do? For many Christians
today, that is a bizarre and foreign question, because many have been taught
that we are under no real obligation other than to have faith – a faith that
this or that word or concept is “true” or this or that “really happened” or
that this collection of books contains (or is) “God’s Word(s).” That is it.
And
for many, that seems enough. After all, life is too hard as it is. We’re too
busy to care about anything other than a mere assent to these long-established
doctrines for one hour every week. And after all, Jesus taught us that religion
consists only of “Loving our neighbor,” right?
So we’re all set if we just
emote some love for those with whom we attend church at 11:00 on Sunday
morning. There. We’re done.
And besides, anyone who says we need to do “work”
is wrong and has to be rebuked, because to try to “earn” our salvation with
good works is just… wrong. Right?
The problem with all of this is that the Jesus who is being praised
so emotionally on Sunday mornings says something quite different.
Not just to
love our neighbor half-heartedly, but to love our neighbor (broadly defined as Everyone)
and to do so JUST AS WE LOVE OURSELVES. No less than that.
And even BEFORE
this, we are to love God with ALL of our heart, soul, mind and strength. All
day, every day. That’s WORK, friends. Good, pure and healthy work that brings
us closer to our God and to our neighbors.
But not only this, Jesus taught that God wishes us to love
and pray for our ENEMIES and that we are to forgive others when they offend us
– and if we don’t, we will NOT be forgiven by God when we mess up. And the only
time Jesus was specifically asked, “what do I need to do to be saved?” the answer
was that we must “endure to the end,” not that we must merely assent to believe
something ABOUT an aspect of Jesus’ birth, death or resurrection (in fact,
crying out “Master, Master/Lord, Lord” he says, is NOT enough) Jesus said we
MUST obey God’s moral commandments, serve others – especially the poor – and imitate
Jesus’ perfect life. Further, we will certainly be judged according to our Deeds, not our intentions or hollow professions.
To refuse to attempt any of this because we might fail (and
guess what, we will indeed fall short!) or to view Jesus’ words as “optional”
or simply obeying out of “gratitude,” if we feel like obeying them, is a gross
misreading of Jesus’ words – which, by the way, cannot be discounted and will
NEVER pass away. We are called to strive to be Servants of God and Jesus
Followers – to be perfect (just as God is perfect!) and also to humbly and
continually seek after God’s forgiveness, strength and guidance.
That’s the
Good Message of the ministry of Jesus. Let’s do that and see how it turns out!
Scriptural Notes:
“And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart
and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” Mark
12:30
“The second is this: 'You shall love your neighbor as
yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these." Mark 12:31
“But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who
persecute you” Matt. 5:44
“For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly
Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their
trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” Mark 6:14-15
And as he was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and
knelt before him and asked him, "Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit
eternal life?” And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good
except God alone. You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, Do not commit
adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your
father and mother.’”
And he said to him, “Teacher, all these I have kept from
my youth.” And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, "You
lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will
have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.’ Mark 10:17-21
“If you would enter life, keep the commandments." He said to him, "Which ones?" And
Jesus said, "You shall not murder, You shall not commit adultery, You shall
not steal, You shall not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother, and,
You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Matt. 19:17b-19
"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter
the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in
heaven. On that day many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in
your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your
name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you
workers of lawlessness.’ Matt 7:21-23
"And
you will be hated by all for my name's sake. But the one who endures to the end
will be saved." Mark 13:13 (also Matt. 10:22; Matt. 24:13)
“For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and
you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you
clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.'
Then the righteous will answer him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry
and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger
and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in
prison and visit you?' And the King will answer them, 'Truly, I say to you, as
you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.” Matt.
25:35-40
“Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass
away.” Matt 24:35
Jesus said to him, "Feed my sheep.” John 21:17
“For I have given you an example, that you also should do
just as I have done to you.” John 13:15
“And we indeed justly, for we are receiving the due reward
of our deeds” Luke 23:41
Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after
me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would
save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find
it.” Matt. 16:24-25
“Be perfect, as your Father in heaven is perfect.” Matt.
5:48
“So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is
dead.” James 2:17