I've read the bible, and follow few statements from Jesus which summarize its content. To paraphrase the statements:
Treat other people in a manner you'd like them to treat you.
Before you point a finger at another's failures, take a look at the face in the mirror to point at that reflection's failures.
Don't bother judging another's actions because at some point The One Who Matters will judge yours.
If you treat someone with few worldly goods in a kind manner, you're actually treating The One Who Matters in a kind manner.
It's easier for a camel to get through a one-person-sized gate in a Jerusalem's defensive wall than it is for a person with lots of worldly goods to pass into a happy afterlife with The One Who Matters.
Now, these may not be termed Jesus' ideas from the politically-leaning Christian spokespeople -- sometimes referred to as the Religious Right -- because they don't parrot the words in a bible (see http://www.biblegateway.com/versions/).
But that's the point.
They don't speak for me, and, if they bothered to understand what Jesus said, shouldn't speak in behalf of others.
Religion is personal. One is saved by one's actions rather than how the rest of the people in his society perceive those actions (See the quote about pointing fingers above.).
They lay down a foundation against which public expression of religious is "approved" (See the quote about judging others above.). And that's not their Right, at least as Jesus saw it (See Luke Chapter 18 Verses 9-14 in your favorite bible version.).
Society has a right to regulate itself. But not when it comes to how we address The One Who Matters. (See Matthew Chapter 22 Verse 21 in your favorite bible version.).
Take care,
jim
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7 comments:
I get particularly upset when I see people who have to be outwardly obvious about their religion. To me, it is like they are trying to cover up something else by "showing off" their religion. (And this is really only in a business situation I'm referring to). You don't need to pray at lunch with business colleagues (you can say something in your head). You don't need to tell everyone about your religion or try to get them to convert. In a business setting, your religion should be reflected in how you interact with others and your morals that are subject to business activity. By being outwardly religious, it doesn't mean that it will make up for your actions.
It is not by "actions" that we are saved. "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-not by works, so that no one can boast."
(Ephesians 2:8)
Until we all realize how miniscule we truly are, and allow God to shepherd us, we will not find true peace.
I find Christina's comment slightly troubling. I am aware of the "uncomfortableness" with religion in a business atmosphere, but all they are doing is saying a prayer over their food. The problem I see in this country is we are more concerned about someone's religion, but cast a blind eye to the extreme left in the country who want to marry gays (why?) and remove the words Mother and Father/Husband and Wife out of California text books, because that might offend same sex couples...who are raising children??
Len:
Let's set the record straight regarding being saved by "grace":
Ephesians 2 says:
1 And you were dead in the trespasses and sins
2 in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience—
3 among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.
4 But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us,
5 when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ— by grace you have been saved—
6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,
7 so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,
9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
Here's a little sermon one could build around the above except of Paul's passage:
"And you were dead in the trespasses and sins" e.g. man was born in original sin (PS review the Adam and Eve story focusing on the snake and the apple).
"But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ — by grace you have been saved — and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus." e.g. Jesus gave his life to atone for Original Sin (review the gospels about His death and resurrection).
"For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,
not a result of works, so that no one may boast." e.g. It was Jesus' action which atoned for the Original Sin because there was nothing a mere man could do until he came (review the concept of the Messiah).
"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." e.g. Based on his sacrifice, we owe it to Christ to perform GOOD WORKS as he would.
It was Martin Luther who said that man is saved by Christ's action alone.
It was Christ who cited good works in the parable of the Sheep and the Goats (Matthew 25).
Suggest if you want to quote passages, you recite them in context rather than with selective editing to distort their intent.
I choose not to respond, so as to try and live a more Christian life....even though people like you make it increasingly difficult to do so.
My two cents:
Jim, I don't believe Leonard's interpretation was out of context. I think the interpretation is "it is not by works alone that we are saved, but by the Grace of God".
And, Christina, I also believe that our constitution allows us to practice our religion freely. Everyone has the right to practice in the way they feel is appropriate. I actually admire those that feel comfortable praying before their meals. I don't think to do it enough.
"Judge not and ye shall not be judged". I believe we all interpret the teachings of our religion(s) in our own ways and therefore should not be condemned. What a good Catholic is to one person may not be a good Catholic to another but it is the best they can do for we are human. I agree w/anonymous - I am impressed with someone who is open about prayer and feel somewhat ashamed for NOT praying so much in public. I think more people should profess their faith like the disciples we are supposed to be.
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