Odd, don't you think, that such a title surely causes a bunch of medical morphins to surge within our bodies for we don't know the why just yet; but we can already anticipate the threat?
To hear us on our conservative days, Jesus did church exactly the way we do it. Mind our own business. Never rock the boat. Stay within the acceptable religious framework. Get along with all.
ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR EVER-LOVIN' MINDS?
That's precisely what Jesus was not about.
Do you think the religious leaders spent their ministries setting Jesus-traps because he was so scripturally correct? Do you think he backed off when he realized he was being labeled liberal? Notice him draped upon the cruel cross and we have our answer.
Why did Jesus perpetually raise religious eyebrows?
Simple. He didn't mind his own business; he minded his Father's. He did rock the boat. He refused to live restricted by the brotherhood chatter of his day. And then, he clearly didn't get along with some of the pulpit-guys who had told their flocks what they could and could not believe.
So....they strung him up!
It is this Jesus who calls us to walk the narrow road. That road isn't our narrow doctrines. It is him. He is the Way; he said so. The narrow is to do faith and sacrifice and compassion his way; not the judgmental shall all religious eyebrows rise?
I've done my fair share of abrasive Bible thumping. I got caught in loving my passionate phraseology more than God and people. I believe it is true that if we will return in trying to obey the first and second commands (love God and others) within the narrow context of Jesus' walk, not only will eyebrows raise; but threats of great displeasure will come from the churches.
Odd, don't you think?
3 comments:
I'm sure not a legalist but I'm not one to move from Scripture being applied properly. That was the problem with the Pharisees. They swallowed a camel while straining a gnat! Too many have done this in the churches of Christ also. But it concernms me somewhat that you encourage a liberal mind-set rather than the middle of the road that Jesus went after. It seems we must see the broad things as you paint or we are legalists. Troubling to say the least. Just my perspective but not intending to bash you.
Anonymous Friend,
Thank you for your comment. I surely don't feel bashed.
I know the middle-of-the-road concept has been placed before us for as long as I've been in the church; but surely we don't mean that. And, that's my point with this post. We are called to expect rejection while m-o-t-r would dodge it.
I'm not wishing for rejection or difficulty, understand; yet such is the nature of the kingdom. Yet, m-o-t-r is not a scripture but man's philosopy...would you think?
Where is the scripture, as you reflected, that one should walk in the middle-of-the-road?
By that I mean would any church leaders advise their people...make your prayer life mediocre? ....your giving; keep it middle-of-the-road...let your obedience be average...attendance as well....raise your kids mediocre...and tell them to approach their studies at school from the same formula?
I don't mean to be closed to your thoughts on this; but I just believe that community after community and congregation after congregation are suffering because believers who claim to have the Truth do so with a guarded measure of playing it safe so that we don't appear whole-hearted.
Jesus was extreme, radical, and given....all in paramount love.
Does this help you understand where I'm coming from?
Anonymous Friend,
Thank you for your comment. I surely don't feel bashed.
I know the middle-of-the-road concept has been placed before us for as long as I've been in the church; but surely we don't mean that. And, that's my point with this post. We are called to expect rejection while m-o-t-r would dodge it.
I'm not wishing for rejection or difficulty, understand; yet such is the nature of the kingdom. Yet, m-o-t-r is not a scripture but man's philosopy...would you think?
Where is the scripture, as you reflected, that one should walk in the middle-of-the-road?
By that I mean would any church leaders advise their people...make your prayer life mediocre? ....your giving; keep it middle-of-the-road...let your obedience be average...attendance as well....raise your kids mediocre...and tell them to approach their studies at school from the same formula?
I don't mean to be closed to your thoughts on this; but I just believe that community after community and congregation after congregation are suffering because believers who claim to have the Truth do so with a guarded measure of playing it safe so that we don't appear whole-hearted.
Jesus was extreme, radical, and given....all in paramount love.
Does this help you understand where I'm coming from?
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