One of the most consistently frustrating
things about Christians is that we seem far more keen on making sure
everyone around us is properly beat over the head with the truth, often
with bile and anger, than in living out the life exemplified by Christ,
with mercy and love. Look at the beatitudes. Truth is important, but
it comes to people who have ears to hear. Our job is less to demand
that they see the truth, than to LIVE the truth. The great saints down
through history saw this as job one - becoming like Christ inside, so
that their lives radiated his love and wisdom.
James was very clear that wisdom is
linked to love and holiness: "Who is wise and understanding among
you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility
that comes from wisdom.. . . "
The entire book of Jamesis a rebuke to
those who think KNOWING the truth is more important than DOING the
truth. And the second course of the meal is Phillipians, where
radiating the love which only comes from devotion to Christ is
preeminent, not how well we have become little truth Nazis. Then, the
third course is I John, where the topic is brought to a supreme and
sublime offering unequaled in any book ever written, in my opinion.
When we stand in front of the dread
judgment seat, the test is not how well we shoved every abstruse point
of theology down the throats of the ignorant, but how we lived the
great truths we already know, and taught the others with mercy and
peace, so as to edify the listener, not stir up emnity.
Well said, Greg. I look forward to hearing more from you.
