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I've seen different sects go after each other’s throats over
differences in dogma, even small differences in service preferences. I've
witnessed heated debates over trivial interpretations of scripture, one word
verses another, while the original meaning remains intact in both translations.
One church believes they are right and everyone else is wrong, and some are
willing to go beyond verbal abuse to physical violence, even to the point of
killing. All in the name of Christianity. One woman confessed to me that just seeing a cross caused
her to weep with fear. How far from Jesus’ example we have fallen? He must be
weeping right along with this poor woman.
Mark 9: 37-39: John
answered him, saying: Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, who
followeth not us, and we forbade him. But, Jesus said: Do not forbid him. For
there is no man that doth a miracle in my name, and can soon speak ill of me.
For he that is not against you, is for you.
We Christians tend to ignore that bit of advice. We may not
always verbalize our thoughts, or take physical action against others, but we
seethe on the inside with our own righteousness. And we are so wrong.
Matthew 21: 43: Therefore,
I say to you, the kingdom of God will be taken from you and given to a people
that will produce its fruit.
Jesus gave us two great Commandments and we obey neither,
especially the one to love our neighbor as ourselves. This means those we
disagree with and not just some theoretical enemy we will never have contact
with. This isn't a request. It’s a commandment and it is required in order to
enter into His kingdom.
However, we aren't a lost cause. Paul instigated horrific
acts against the early Church, was forgiven and called by God to be one of the
greatest of the Apostles. However, first there was a conversion, a repentance,
and a true change of heart. Paul admonished, pleaded, did whatever it took to
convert others – but he did not hate or wish others to suffer. We may disagree
with another’s lifestyle or beliefs, but we are not supposed to hate. Period.
How do we change? How do we stand for our faith without
being hateful and violent? For most of us, violence is not an issue physically,
but verbally and mentally? That’s another matter. We can start by choosing our
words with love rather than righteousness during theological discussions. None
of us have all the answers. None of us are authorities on theology. Neither is
required to act out of love and respect.
It takes practice and forethought to change behavior. It
takes strength to answer softly instead of raging, but we must try, and in
doing so, change the image of Christianity from a sect of hate to one of love ―
as it was originally intended.
Oh, I can hear some now. We can’t tolerate evil. We must
expunge it. It must not become acceptable. Evil is never acceptable, but it is
not our task to eradicate evil with evil. It is our task to change ourselves
and lead others to do the same, as Jesus did, with love, compassion and
forgiveness. It isn't easy.
We do, however, have many good examples to follow. There are Christians exhibiting this kind of
faith in their words and actions. They are the very ones we overly righteous
consider weak and compromising. They aren’t. They exhibit much stronger faith
than ours. Their faith is rooted in action. The only issue is there isn't
enough of them. We need to join their ranks, and in doing so, we can by sheer
numbers, change the world.
As the song says, “Let there be peace on earth, and let it
begin with me.”
Well said, and I love the statement, "it is not our task to eradicate evil with evil." In fact, division among Christians was one of the topics in the sermon at my church this week. As you point out, Paul exhorts us to "speak the truth in love" and reminds us that of faith, hope and love, "the greatest of these is love." We do indeed have so much potential to change the world.
ReplyDeleteExactly Judith. May we set about changing the world...
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