Why have we become focused on technicalities?
Looking for loopholes to push an agenda or ruin someone else's plans
seems to have become a new national pastime. It's especially prevalent
in politics, but everywhere you look, it would seem someone has made an
art of getting what they want by the use of petty and strict
interpretation of an often obscure rule or law. Many people seem to have
no qualms about making a point or getting their way at the expense of
others by twisting the rules.
Unfortunately, this line of reasoning has extended to Christianity.
My goodness, the ideas which have become focal points for those claiming
the name of Christ are mind-boggling. Waving away the commands of love
and compassion, large segments of the church world have become zeroed in
on a few issues which, in many cases, were never mentioned by Jesus in
his recorded teachings. Even worse, in other instances, we have become
quite good at doing the exact opposite of what Jesus taught.
The fruits of the Spirit -- love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,
goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control -- have rotted on the
vine of many branches of the Church, leaving a reeking mess of
finger-pointing, turmoil, greed, strife, fear and hate. As James says,
in reference to blessing and cursing coming out of the same mouth,
"these things ought not to be this way." (3:10)
Can we please just get a grip on the character and nature of Jesus
and stop letting our own agendas, biases and overblown religiosity get
in the way of his work? I have never believed God is nitpicky. If his
desire is that all should be saved and none should be lost, then it does
not seem, and I believe scripture bears this out, he is looking to
exclude people from his kingdom based on trivialities or technicalities.
I have said it before, will say it again and it will continue to be my
call for myself and for all believers: Adhere to the simple,
compassionate, peaceful Way of Jesus and change the world for the
better.
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