As we have been reading through the Sermon on the Mount, the recurring theme that Jesus addresses with His followers is His priority being placed on our interaction with God and with our “neighbor”. He has called us to a life of admitting our own spiritual brokenness and reliance upon our Creator for solution to that problem. The text in Matthew 7:1-6 follows that same thread. At the same time, is there a place for judgment in the way of Jesus? What is the difference between passive indifference and passionately calling people to follow Jesus? Our society uses “tolerance” as a buzz-word that creates a stir. This teaching seems to speak to tolerance, while at the same time allowing for calling people to something beyond ourselves.
This text is immediately followed with Matthew 7:7-12, which deals with our interaction with God and His response to us. It is commonly used to support the fact that God will give us whatever we ask for in prayer. Do you feel that this is what is being said? At what point is God “compelled” to give you what you ask? Is there a way to earn this place in God’s Kingdom? If this is not what is being taught by Jesus, what is? Why does it seem that so many prayers go unanswered? Is it me? Is it God?
My prayer is that this week God will teach each of us about our interaction with Him and with those around us.
July 19th, 2006 at 2:29 pm
Hey Pathways friends, we will soon be home for six short weeks. Our class in Florida ends tomorrow (Friday) and then we will have a week of helping the 38 summer interns debrief and reenter US culture. We arrive home just before midnight on the 29th.
I think we have to be very careful how we use the word “tolerance.” I think that when we are talking about people, “tolerance” is an unacceptable word. God did not call us to “tolerate” people, he called us to fully love and fully accept people. I am not talking about agreeig with people’s actions. I am talking about demonstrating love as Jesus did to the sick, lame, poor, women, children, blind, adulterous, cheaters (Zacheaus), and me.
July 24th, 2006 at 11:54 am
Let me just say that I’m glad Christ doesn’t just “tolerate” me. Doesn’t that word seem indifferent? As if he just puts up with us. Doesn’t our forgiveness hinge on his love? It’s because of this love that he also shows us our weakness, our brokenness. If we are to love others, we need to learn what it means that God loves us. He doesn’t tolerate us. He loves us, he gave his Son’s life for us, and he keeps persuing a relationship with us. Do you think we would affect more change around us if we could love like this, rather than merely tolerate one another?
July 24th, 2006 at 5:35 pm
Hey Peter - I saw your post and just wanted to reply Happy Birthday. I hope you will get a chuckle out of this. I was sitting outside at Starbucks this afternoon and I kept hearing over the PA at Central Market - “Happy Birthday Peter”. I could hear it perfect over at Starbucks. Dude - how you did not get your birthday of is beyond me. Also, I hope erin found enough black balloons : )