One of my clergy colleagues posted this message to their social media account recently –
And Jesus said to the theologians, “And whom do you say that I am?”
They replied, “You are the eschatological manifestation of the ground of our being, the ontological foundation of the context of our very selfhood revealed.” And Jesus replied, “What?”
Don’t make things so complicated folks.
Many of us read the theologians response and probably said the same thing that Jesus did – “What?” Yet, the irony is, this happens every day in churches all across America. Believe it or not, church lingo does exist and it is rarely understood by those outside the walls of the local church (and, more often than not, it’s not even understood by those inside the walls, either!). Yet, for some reason, we go on saying things that make it sound like we know what we are talking about, that make us sound like we are good Christians.
What if being a Christian is so much more? What if it’s more about the walk than the talk? The Epistle of James declares, “But be doers of the word, not merely hearers who deceive themselves” (1:22, NRSV). Being a true Christian requires that we take action in the world in which we live. After all, we are to follow Christ’s example, right? Sure, he talked about a lot of things, but if we really pay attention, he did a whole lot more walking with people than he ever did talking.
I guess that’s why the hymn “They’ll Know We are Christians by our Love” stands out so much to me. “We will walk with each other…we will work with each other…”* Nowhere does it say, “we will talk with each other,” does it? Sure, we have to have communication. Sure, we need to guide and encourage one another. But, the reality is, we have to do something, too!
Our Friday Bible study group is currently looking at Jesus’ Sermon on the Plain as recorded in the Gospel of Luke. There we find one of the most profound things I think Jesus ever said, “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do what I tell you?” (Luke 6:46, NRSV). A stunning question, if we really think about it, and one we must be prepared to answer in the most simplest of terms, not complex church talk. Until next time!
Pastor Steve
* They’ll Know We Are Christians by Our Love” words by and music by Peter Scholtes, Song #26997. Used by Permission. CCLI License #1823503. TFWS#2223.