In the beginning of this new relationship the followers were called Christians as a demeaning slur, because they practiced the teachings of Jesus, teachings like forgiveness, graciousness, kindness, gentleness, caring, loving, turning the other cheek; teachings that the world of their time considered ridiculous and wasteful. Nobody considered others more important than themselves, no one put the sick, elderly, infirm, or poor on equal status with the rich and powerful; this was foolishness. Only the strong survived and if they didn’t look out for themselves first, then they only had themselves to blame for their troubles.
But look what happened; in no time at all the number of followers exploded and their influence became such a threat that, much like the Pharaohs with the Hebrews, the Roman Emperors began to murder and subjugate the followers in their efforts to control the influence and potential power the followers might realize.
Yet the followers survived and their numbers continued to grow. Having failed to contain this growing source of power and influence the world leaders did the only thing that could keep them in control; they joined the movement. They joined it, but not really. They said the right things, dressed the right ways, adopted the correct language, and studied the history and literature of the movement and its people, and then slowly took control. They changed the direction of the movement away from the teachings of Jesus and turned it back to the failed Law of Moses.
And this is where we find ourselves today; oh yes it is! Everywhere you look today you see angry Christians demanding their rights, pointing to a plaque with the Law of Moses proclaiming all of its Thou Shalts and Shalt Nots, hating sinners instead of only the sin, as Jesus did. How have we become so blind? How have we so missed the heart of God that we have returned to following the Law of Moses instead of the teachings of Jesus, the Christ who was sent to save the lost and redeem the world of sinners from their sin and the failed legalism that kept the Jews captive for so many centuries? Have we learned nothing from His record, so carefully preserved and handed down through the ages, about how absolutely futile it is for mankind to try to follow laws that might possibly lead to perfection, when he is so fundamentally imperfect?
Mankind has always demanded laws, because with laws come loopholes; with laws come interpretations and extensions, amendments, deletions, and adjustments; an endless progression of legislation and litigation that forever excuses the depravity that drives us to refuse the God who made us and who loves us and wants only our love in return, not our endless compliance to a bunch of laws.
If you NEED laws to live by, how about these:
- If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone
- In humility consider others better than yourselves
- Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure children of God
Relevancy?
I would love to have the freedoms that were guaranteed to us by the Constitution of the United States of America. I would love to live in a country where states did not feel the need to protect their citizens by enacting religious freedom laws; but have you not yet realized that that America, the one of the so called founding fathers, is no more. That America has been being dismantled piece by piece, year after year, by the complacency and debauchery of the comfortable, pampered people, Christian and not, living within its borders.
One final thought; a question, not a judgment, sure to raise the ire of all who, though they consider themselves above the filth of bigotry and judgmentalism, are truly the most bigoted and judgmental. Has any nation in the entire history of man ever survived the acceptance of homosexuality as a normal lifestyle?