We find ourselves in troubling times, with our own blindness to God’s presence and desires. Violence, on the part of some on both ends of the political spectrum, as we have witnessed in our society, is becoming an increasingly acceptable way to deal with disagreement. Even more disturbing, I feel, is the use of faith to justify violence and the mistreatment of people. The ancient prophets were interested in bringing about justice for all God’s people, which we now understand in a much broader sense than in the ancient past.
How we approach questions of society, culture, and religion; how we form our opinions and attitudes toward life and society is important.
It seems to me that a lot of people use religion to justify their outlook on people and culture and politics. They have come to believe certain things, and then look to their faith and to Scripture to justify their convictions. I think this is putting the cart before the horse.
Our starting point, I believe, should be our faith. What is the gospel message? How would Jesus react in a certain situation? What would he advise? What would he condemn? What would he ask his disciples to do? And then, how should I live in the world so that my viewpoints and my involvement, my morality and my politics, my outlook on the world—all grow from an appreciation of the gospel message and a commitment to live in the spirit of Christ? That’s the direction in which we need to move, if we hope to achieve a more just and loving world and a more hope-filled future.
“So be imitators of God, as beloved children, and live in love, as Christ loved us and handed himself over for us as a sacrificial offering to God.” (Ephesians 5:1-2)
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