A Better Way
As I understand it, Jesus and the early Christians changed their world. How? They did not hold big demonstrations. They did not attempt to take over the government and have the Roman government pass laws that reflected their beliefs. They did not go out and loudly condemn the people that they felt were doing wrong.
They realized that as Followers of Jesus, they had become part of The Kingdom of God. That meant they followed a different set of standards. Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount outlined the life standards of the Kingdom. Jesus would make a statement “You have heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not murder. If you commit murder, you are subject to judgment.’ But I say, if you are even angry with someone, you are subject to judgment! If you call someone an idiot, you are in danger of being brought before the court. And if you curse someone, you are in danger of the fires of hell.”
Matthew 5:21-22 NLT
Jesus proclaimed, “Here is what the law told you. I am telling you the way of the Kingdom, my Kingdom.” Jesus was saying, let me show you a better way. My way. Not only are you not to murder and kill but the better way is to treat everyone with respect. The way of life Jesus outlined in the Sermon on the Mount was totally counter-cultural. Jesus believed in love overcoming hate, humility, generosity, forgiveness, becoming as a child to be mature, empathy-treating others as we wish to be treated, that dying to self was the key to living, and that change came from the inside. This brought about an upside-down world and a better way of life. Jesus promoted the opposite of their culture’s way of life. Living out the Kingdom way often brought persecution and even death, but it changed the world.
Most people know the wrong they do. Many hate that they do those things and are filled with shame. Ask any drug addict or alcoholic. Ask yourself about the things in your life that you are ashamed of. People need to know there is a better way to live and that there is a power that can help them live a better life. They need hope, not condemnation.
Maybe we need to stop focusing on THEIR sin and demonstrate a better life. The life of ministry. The life of service. The life of love. Life in the Kingdom. That life can only be lived through the Holy Spirit. Jesus living in us.