I am currently reading through Velvet Elvis: Repainting the Christian Faith by Rob Bell and have stumbled upon quite a delight. If you have not read this book and have the time, well even if you don't have the time, make time, it's that good. Although I could write about so many aspects of this book, today I will stick to one short passage and the verses it brought to my mind while reading it.
“Then Jesus said to his host, ‘When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid.’” Luke 14:12
“He answered: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’ and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” Luke 10:27
If the gospel isn't good news to everybody, then it isn't good news for anybody. And this is because the most powerful things happen when the church surrenders its desire to convert people and convince them to join. It is when the church gives itself away in radical acts of service and compassion, expecting nothing in return, that the way of Jesus is most vividly put on display. To do this, the church must stop thinking about everybody primarily in categories of in or out, saved or not, believer or nonbeliever. Besides the fact that these terms are offensive to those who are in the “un” and the “non”, they work against Jesus' teachings about how we are to treat each other. Jesus commanded us to love our neighbor, and our neighbor can be anybody. We are all created in the image of God, and we are all sacred, valuable creations of God. Everybody matters.
I love this quote. I think the best bit is the part about the church giving itself away in radical acts of service and compassion, expecting NOTHING in return. How many churches do that? How many people do that? How many times do we serve others or give in kindness, and then are disappointed, hurt, or even angry when the service is not returned?
We are missing the point. Church membership is not the goal. Feeling good about helping others is not the goal. It is simply radical acts of service, because Jesus told us to love others, and Jesus showed us how.
He washed the disciples feet, he provided food for sinners and publicans, he embraced prostitutes, touched the sick and dying: those who all else were afraid to come near. Let's think about that, when was the last time you hugged a prostitute? Or held someone dying of AIDS?
Jesus' was a life of radical service, of not expecting anything in return, and of teaching us that ALL are created in God's image and EVERYONE is our neighbor.
~Kimberly Hall
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1 comment:
I completely agree. No wonder people are so confused about and upset toward the Church.. The Church sends mixed signals. "We're here to minister to you," but "We require this and this and this and this."
I think the philosophy described in the quoted passage would walk a fine line as far as what is considered acceptable in a Christian's life (it's easy for some to mistranslate "Everyone is created in God's image" to "These are my proclivities and since I'm created in God's image, this must be okay), which is why it's so imperative that leaders bathe their ministries in prayer every single day... prayer for discernment, wisdom, and humility to seek the Holy Spirit's guidance.
Very interesting post.
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