Friday, March 16, 2012

Authentic Community

Funny how we are about truth! We tend to choose what we want to accept as truth - even when it comes from the very same document or source. This is not only true in politics or media - it is also true in the church. Out or our traditions and prejudices we select what we want to believe and accept. Then we judge others according to our standards.

I met a fellow at lunch today. It soon became clear that he was from a church that considered itself a cut above any others in the community. Not that he would admit it, but it became clear in the dialogue. I could not help but think, "is this what Jesus had in mind?" When He came as the Word made flesh, did he intend for us to form our little exclusive groups to "guard the truth" so that we  would make sure we were not erring in any way? To the point where we had such division in the church community? And I don't mean the "big stuff."

What about what Jesus taught in Mark 17?

28One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”
29“The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. 30Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ 31The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”

Never mind John 17?

Oh that we would learn to walk together, learn from each other, encourage each other - you know - the kind of stuff the Bible talks about...

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