a radically different life

"By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another" (John 13:35)

This blog will be my thoughts and feelings regarding the Christian life. What is "the Christian life"? In essence, I am referring to what it means to be a Christian in the world today. So, "what does it mean to be a Christian - in the world today?" Here are a few initial thoughts:

Being a Christian is a lifestyle that is radically different from how we see people living in the world - today. What a radically different life, to be a Christian! Jesus said to his disciples, "A new command I give you: love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another" (John 13:34).

In our own fallen nature, it seems to be easier - much easier - to not love one another. And how could we? "God is Love" (cf. 1 John 4:16); we need God's Love - we need Him - to Love others through us.

In our own fallen nature, it is easy to become uncharitable towards our neighbors: towards those that annoy us, towards those who have done us wrong - those persons with whom we are upset, perhaps even very angry with. It can then become easier to make fun of them, to gossip about them, to ruin their reputation. Without God's help, this is all very easy indeed.

Yet the life Christians are called to is radically different! Indeed, the Master says to us: "But I tell you: love your enemies, and pray for those that persecute you" (Matthew 5:44). So, we apparently can't ever become content with doing harm to those whom we feel have harmed us, even with mere words. For there is no such thing as "mere words"; "For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned" (Matthew 12:37).

Oh Lord, please forgive me for the times I have been uncharitable towards my neighbors; towards my co-workers, towards persons I come in contact with, towards... anyone - and everyone. Lord, please transform the hurt and grudges and "ill will" I have harbored in my heart towards certain individuals. I can't love without your Love within me. Please fill me with your Love, so I can love others (cf. John 13:35).

"Jesus called the crowd to him and said, 'Listen and understand. What goes into a man's mouth does not make him unclean, but what comes out of his mouth, that is what makes him unclean. The things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man unclean. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immortality, theft, false testimony, slander. These are what make a man unclean" (Matthew 15:10;18-20).