October 22, 2023
Recently I have listened to more than one conversation regarding ‘why we believe in Jesus.’
The conversations oddly don’t center around the truth of the resurrection nor the truth that Jesus is the Son of God.
Rather these conversations concern the behavior that will keep us out of hell.
The conversations explored the teachings that if we don’t behave a certain way we are going straight to hell. The individuals spoke of being scared into heaven as a means of avoiding hell.
Interesting, but a very unfortunate response to God’s loving actions through Christ for us.
Following God’s teachings out of fear sort of negates the whole of love of God for us and our love for God dynamic.
Sure, scripture says fear of God is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10), but that is not about quaking in our boots fear.
Scriptural fear is awe, reverence, understanding that God is so much more than we are – so much more than we could ever hope to be – Creator of all that is seen and unseen as the Nicene Creed speaks of God. The true wisdom which is beyond all human understanding (Isaiah 55:8-9). Once we ‘get that’ we begin to have the holy wisdom borne of God.
If the only reason we behave as we think ‘good little Christians should’ is because of ‘what’s in it for us’ – a get out of hell free card – then the whole thing becomes transactional. Sort of like, my child will only take out the trash if they get paid for doing do….but once there is no reward for compliant behavior all bets are off….
Is that what Christ and His life, death and resurrection are all about?
I don’t think so – Christ is not transactional – obedience to Christ isn’t a means of staying out of hell. Following Christ – obeying Christ – is intended to be an act of gratitude.
Gratitude?
Absolutely!
“While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” the United Methodist Communion litany of confession and forgiveness proclaims. The UMC proclamation is basically a restating of Christ’s words on the cross: “Forgive them, they don’t know what they’re doing.”
Christ loves us before we love Him.
Christ died for us before we even knew of His sacrifice or did a single thing to ‘make Him proud.’
Christ rose from the dead not in secret but openly appeared in resurrected glory for 40 days so that His followers, then and now, might know that His Word is true!
So….
I believe that the reason we follow Christ’s teachings is not so that we can stay out of hell rather because of our gratitude for what Christ has already done for us.
Already done for us.
Once we choose to receive the knowledge and sacrificial love of Christ and His promise of new life, we become those who choose to live a life of gratitude – a life lived in and for Christ.
We are no longer scared of ‘going to hell,’ we become instruments of God in Christ bringing heaven to earth.
We aren’t called to scare people out of hell – Christ didn’t.
We are called to love them into heaven – Christ shows us how.
Wonder what would happen if we let go of the scare tactics, the judgments, the human devised rules and lived in gratitude, invitational love, and followed the only rules that mattered?
Love God above all
Love everyone else without exception.
Wonder what would happen if our lives became daily expressions of gratitude for Christ and His love for us rather than obligatory fear-filled actions of the hell adverse?
I wonder…..
‘Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven!’ Use us, Lord, as grateful instruments in Your hand!
And to God be the glory! AMEN
Preacher Woman 