pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Tag Archives: evaluation


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Heart Conditions

Reading: Matthew 5:21-22 and 27-30

Matthew 5:30 – “It’s better that you lose part of your body than that your whole body go into hell.”

As we continue to wrestle with the question of heaven or hell we turn today to some of Jesus’ words concerning what can lead a person into hell. Our two short sections on murder and adultery begin a series of teachings where Jesus also addresses divorce, oaths, retaliation, and love. In all of these teachings, Jesus calls us beyond the minimum of the letter of the Law. He’s really digging down into the condition of our hearts.

One of the Ten Commandments says, “Do not murder.” Yes, Jesus says, but he adds a warning about anger. This first emotion leads to harsh words which can lead to… Jesus could’ve warned about envy or arrogance or… Anger is not the only sin that could lead to murder.

Another of the Ten Commandments says, “Don’t commit adultery.” Again, Jesus goes to the root, warning about even looking lustfully at someone else. And, again, lust is not the only emotion that can begin the journey towards adultery. Illustrating that sin is often a progression, Jesus tells us to cut out our eye if it causes us to lust. And if a hand next continues the lustful action – “cut it off.” Sin is serious. It begins with temptation. It leads to separation from God – often temporarily but potentially eternally. Therefore, Jesus summarizes, “It’s better that you lose part of your body than that your whole body go into hell.” Clearly we must begin with an honest evaluation of the condition of our heart.

Prayer: Lord God, you see all things, know all things. Bring this truth to the fore when our humanity begins to wander towards less than you call us to be. May the voice and the nudge of your Holy Spirit work powerfully in our hearts and minds, aligning us with your charge to love you and neighbor more than self. Guide us to walk faithfully this day and every day. Amen.


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Enough?

Reading: Luke 10: 25-28

In our culture there is a large emphasis placed upon ‘success’.  This emphasis leads us to judge others and to compare ourselves and our status or position to others.  We begin doing this the first time someone compares us to someone else.  It may be a bike race, the height chart on the wall, or any other form of evaluation.  Not to say competition or success are bad things, but early on we are taught to compare ourselves to others.  And naturally, we want to be the best.

Of course there can only be a small handful of ‘best’ people.  There is only one at the top of each list.  And for almost all of us, none are at the top of any of these lists.  In turn our success becomes relative.  We work hard for the next promotion, the bigger house, the nicest yard, the next gadget.  Life too easily can become all about our stuff and how it compares to those in our little worlds.  But all of this is temporary and in the end bring no satisfaction because there is always a ‘next’ thing to buy or to accomplish to keep ahead.

By contrast our faith leads us to consider other before self and to find our contentment in our relationship with our Creator.  Once we understand and know God’s great love for us, we are led to share this love with others.  It is a great gift that compels us to share it with all we meet.  We treasure this gift of live above all else and we want others to experience it as well 

But sometimes the drive for success and the call to love God and neighbor collide.  We ask the question the lawyer asked: am I doing enough?  The harsh reality is that when we ask that question, the answer is almost always ‘no’.  When loving God and neighbor permeate our life, we seldom look within to find ‘success’.  We are simply led to offer all we can to all we can whenever we can.  When we miss an opportunity to do so, we note it and commit to not missing the opportunity the next time.  It is not a competition but a life of service to God and neighbor.  May we live our faith in such a way that we never have to ask that question.  May love always be our guide.