For a long time, going back to when I was a Christian, I have always thought Gal 5:22, 23 were pivotal verses.
To begin with, these verses give us an 'operational definition', a way of discerning people who are 'holy', or on the 'right track'. When I was a Christian I mixed in Christian circles and saw people who I recognised were living these verses. I admired and respected them greatly I still do.
However, since becoming a 'non-Christian', my circles have expanded and I've met people involved in many faiths and none who also exhibit what seem to me to be these very same characteristics.
When I see a Buddhist engaging in 'metta', or lovingkindness meditation, I see him or her engaged in much the same practice as petitionary prayer and at the same time developing and expanding compassion and lovingkindness to all beings.
I cannot distinguish between their compassion and kindness and a Christian's.
Even as a non-Christian, I still strive to practise these fruits, and I engage in 'spiritual' practices that develop them.
I wonder if Matthew 8:5-13 has some clues in this?
And also Luke 9:49, 50
And to be fair Matthew 12:30
I am very fortunate. I've met quite a few 'saints'. Some of them are Christians.
Thoughts?
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
However, since becoming a 'non-Christian', my circles have expanded and I've met people involved in many faiths and none who also exhibit what seem to me to be these very same characteristics.
When I see a Buddhist engaging in 'metta', or lovingkindness meditation, I see him or her engaged in much the same practice as petitionary prayer and at the same time developing and expanding compassion and lovingkindness to all beings.
I cannot distinguish between their compassion and kindness and a Christian's.
Even as a non-Christian, I still strive to practise these fruits, and I engage in 'spiritual' practices that develop them.
I wonder if Matthew 8:5-13 has some clues in this?
5 When Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him, asking for help. 6 “Lord,” he said, “my servant lies at home paralyzed, suffering terribly.”
7 Jesus said to him, “Shall I come and heal him?”
8 The centurion replied, “Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. 9 For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”
10 When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, “Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith. 11 I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. 12 But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
13 Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go! Let it be done just as you believed it would.” And his servant was healed at that moment.
7 Jesus said to him, “Shall I come and heal him?”
8 The centurion replied, “Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. 9 For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”
10 When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, “Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith. 11 I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. 12 But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
13 Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go! Let it be done just as you believed it would.” And his servant was healed at that moment.
49John answered and said, "Master, we saw someone casting out demons in Your name; and we tried to prevent him because he does not follow along with us." 50But Jesus said to him, "Do not hinder him; for he who is not against you is for you."
"Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.
Thoughts?
Comment