I believe having a relationship with God is just as varied and fulfilling as any relationship we have. It’s real and vibrant. The story of Jesus coming to earth is about a t that loves us so much and wants a relationship with us so much He gave up everything to have that relationship. But I think we spend so much time focused on “salvation” we miss the point. God loves ALL His children not just those who sit beside us in a pew. I was really enlightened when the Christian radio program I listen to said, “God loves Trump. God loves Nancy Pelosi, God loves Dr Anthony Fauci, etc” God loves those we disagree with.
Jesus celebrates the prodigal son and those that serve the weak and the poor. He was radical in His teachings. And He says it’s not our place to judge, it’s God’s. We have no right to designate who is saved and who is not. All are loved. All are welcome. All can turn to Him. It is not our actions that save us, but our actions show our relationship with God. When we love God and love our neighbors, we are living the life God wants us to live. When we stand in judgment, we are taking on a role that is not ours.
When you look at the stories of Jesus, it’s never the religious leaders he went to. He went to tax collectors and prostitutes, groups that are clearly seen as sinful by most people. And on the other side, priests and elders, groups that are looked up to as examples of piousness. Why is God saying the sinful are getting into heaven and it’s not guaranteed the pious will? We live in a society that wants people to live their lives a particular way. There are good people and not good people. But now “Christian” has become a bad word as “Christians” do not act very “Christ-like”. I think God grieves over our “better-than-you” attitude. God calls us to love but we are not very loving. And I’m not pointing out one group or saying I’m not like that. I’m just saying God is always calling us to more and always wanting us to err on the side of loving the unlovable instead of loving just those that are like us. Jesus’ standards are not our society’s.
The priests had it in their head what a messiah should look like and Jesus wasn’t it. I think we do the same thing sometimes. Jesus wasn’t interested in outward appearances or lofty titles. He didn’t espouse rules or requirements. He simply asked for belief. To believe in a God that loves us so much He died for us. When we look in the mirror, we need to ask ourselves, am I a priest? Or a prostitute?
(Parts taken from a sermon I preached 10/1/23.)
Photo by john crozier on Unsplash
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