Who may dwell on your holy hill?
Those who walk blamelessly, and do what is right,
and speak the truth from their heart;
who do not slander with their tongue,
and do no evil to their friends,
nor take up a reproach against their neighbors;
The opening of Psalm 15 strikes a common biblical theme, that Yahweh desires "righteousness" or right living from those who would claim relationship with this God. We Christians are sometimes prone to think that our belief or faith negates this need for righteousness. But although Jesus brings God's love and forgiveness to sinners, he also calls them to new life.
Jesus models that new life for his followers, and it is much more than "being moral" or "being good citizens." Jesus calls us to life with God at its center, a life animated by the love of neighbor, even when that neighbor is an enemy. This is much more than adherence to basic community standards. It is the radical reorientation of every facet of life.
Some wonderful theological discussions can be had around how God's love, grace, and forgiveness offered freely to all coexist with Jesus saying things such as, "Not everyone who calls me 'Lord, Lord' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven." Is it possible to fully experience God's love and grace without being transformed so as to live differently? Can one truly love God and not live in ways that seek to please God?
Regardless, the life of faith cannot be lived entirely in one's mind. It must be fleshed out in Christ-like action. And that suggests that the label "Christian" should not be used with too much ease. I frequently hear someone labeled a "good Christian fellow" when all that is meant is the person wasn't a scoundrel. And when we say that America is a "Christian nation," do we really mean that our country embodies the radical reorientation of all life that Jesus models?
When I grew up, part of the Christian, cultural veneer was saying the "Lord's Prayer" before sporting events. All the footballs teams I ever played on huddled up and said this prayer before taking the field. We prayed that God's kingdom would arrive, that God's will would be done on earth. But I never got much sense that anyone really thought this needed to happen, that things needed to change and God's will needed to be enacted.
O Lord, who may abide in your presence? Who may be a part of the new day you promise to bring? Mold me and make me fit for your Kingdom.
Click to learn more about the Daily Lectionary.
No comments:
Post a Comment