I’m only going to write about this one more time and then, I promise, I’ll leave it alone. The media has been enthralled by the religious compound in Texas where they are finding hundreds of cases of sexual abuse of children. Some of the reports have made every attempt to clarify that this is not a part of the LDS Church (Morman). I also believe any one listening or watching these reports wouldn’t assume this “church” is representative of Christianity in America. But anytime these types of events happen, they do distort the image of God.
As a Christ-follower, I’m not supportive of every minister or religious program I see on television. My idea of faith is not wrapped up in following the ideas of a minister. Rather it is based on trying to understand and follow the teachings of Christ. And he summarized his teachings fairly clearly in Matthew 7:
Don’t pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults – unless, of course, you want the same treatment. That critical spirit has a way of boomeranging. It’s easy to see a smudge on your neieghbor’s face and be oblivious to the ugly sneer on your own. It’s this whole traveling road-show mentality all over again, playing a holier-than-thou part instead of just living your part.
Don’t be flip with the sacred. Banter and siliness give no honor to God. Don’t reduce holy mysteries to slogans. In trying to be relevant, you’re only being cute and inviting sacrilege.
Here is a simple, rule-of-thumb guide for behavior: Ask yourslef what you want people to do for you, then grabe the initiative and do it for them. Add up God’s Law and Prophets and this is what you get.
Don’t look for shortcuts to God. The market is flooded with surefire, easygoing formulas for a successful life that can be practiced in your spare time. Don’t fall for that stuff, even though crowd of people do. The way to life – to God – is vigorous and requires total attention. Be wary of false preachers who smile a lot, dripping with practiced sincerity. Chances are they are out to rip you off some way or other. Don’t be impresswed with charisma, look for character. Who preachers ARE is the main thing, not what they say. A genuine leader will never exploit your emotions or your pocketbook.
These words I speak to you are not incidental additions to your life, homeowner improvements to your standard of living. They are foundational words, words to build a life on.
The chapter continues by saying how well received these words were by the people who heard them, not just because they were great words but because it was apparent that Jesus was living everything he was saying. Quite a contrast to the religious leaders of his day…and ours.
As a Christ-follower, I believe I have to earn the opportunity to share my faith not by the words that I speak but by the way I treat others and live my life. Jesus confirmed that when he told a sick guy whom he healed not to go and talk about it all over town. He simply told the guy, Quiety present your healed body to others with the appropriate expressions of thanks to God. Your cleansed and grateful life – not your words – will bear witness to what I have done.
Actions speak louder than words.