In the 1960's and 70's the best known scripture verse among teenagers and young adults was John 3:16, "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life." NRSV. In the last 15 years i have found the favorite verse, or at least the most often quoted verse of the teens and young adults I work with to be Matthew 7:1, "Do not judge, so that you may not be judged." NRSV.
I am not surprised that this transition has occurred, and I blame the Pharisees that are still alive and well among us for the change. i believe the deep desire of the heart, and the great good news of the Gospel are contained in John 3:16&17. Unfortunately, we have wrapped so much legalism around the free gift of grace that people are repelled and are forced to turn to Jesus words here in Matthew 7 for relief.
I wonder if we lived the message of grace and love if the need for judgement would disappear. Interesting also that Jesus does not say here not to judge, but he calls us to turn the eye of discernment first on ourselves. Only after that "homework" is done am I ready to help my brothers and sisters with theirs.
The sermon on the mount closes with a call to examine our fruit and our foundation of faith. We judge trees by their fruit, and our lives need to be examined for the same signs.
Jesus closes this sermon with the following words, "Everyone then who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not act on them will be like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell--and great was its fall!" Matthew 7:24-27 NRSV. So it seems to me that if we would live Kingdom lives and have Kingdom churches we need to examine our hearts, the fruit our ministries are bearing, and the foundations upon which we have built. Take a close look, ask Jesus to help you see, and adjust your life accordingly. Lord, help me to live in this Kingdom!
About Me
- Pastor Bill
- I am a committed follower of Jesus Christ, a happy husband, father and grandfather!
2 comments:
Interesting that you comment on all of these things that people see and hope in their faith. It's easy to grasp the nice salvation that got us all to faith, but it is tough to follow all of the "rules" and what not that come along with them. Maybe that's why we lose so many new believers in the faith. I think I'll keep my house on the Rock, try to stay strong in faith - because the devil is pulling so hard...harder than ever in this world it seems. Though the storms may come and go, the peace of God you will know...
We usually feel safe in our homes right? Think about the peace God provides, no matter what the storm.
God bless,
Marsh
I think you're right on Uncle Bill - hypocrisy is what people hate most. Some recent big study about why people don't like the church had that as I think the number one reason: the church is seen as full of hypocrites. I think we can't avoid being somewhat hypocritical. But Jesus obviously also loathed hypocrisy...
I always struggle with the narrow gate imagery verses making all people disciples. Can we all be disciples? Jesus says only a few can stay on the narrow road. Discipleship is hard stuff. I guess I struggle with that related to church growth, a focus on numbers, etc.
Jesus says it is only the one who "does the will of" God who enters the Kingdom of Heaven. How does that work with our 'faith alone' theology?
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