Matthew 5:21-26
As sure as I recall memorizing and being drilled on the Baltimore Catechism and the Boy Scout Law I recall having to know the 10 Commandments and being able to regurgitate them at will. All this memorization and focus on adherence to laws may have helped the young canvas that I was but it did not help me think as an adult to exercise the critical thinking necessary to function in the real world. It did not give me the skills for self assessment, reflection and eventual spiritual maturity. All these did come but not at the hands of wrote memorization of rules and laws.
Another problem with memorization and cataloguing of rules and laws is that once you adhere to them, you can think you are doing everything you are supposed to do to be the person God wishes you to be. This is one of the reasons Jesus needed to come for our salvation. It seemed one of His favorite pastimes was to rail against the pharisees whose adherence to the law gave them the impression they were perfect and above everyone else.
This passage reflects something that I have a penchant for railing about myself. That is, Jesus only made it more of a challenge for us as believers. No longer is strict adherence to the law the basis for salvation or what makes you a good person. As I have said, Thou shalt not kill is much more nebulous now and can involve killing another's Spirit by demeaning, by gossip and a whole range of bad behaviour.
Rules can guide us but they cannot replace critical thinking and conscience. Everything we do must be tempered by love and the Two Great Commandments.
As sure as I recall memorizing and being drilled on the Baltimore Catechism and the Boy Scout Law I recall having to know the 10 Commandments and being able to regurgitate them at will. All this memorization and focus on adherence to laws may have helped the young canvas that I was but it did not help me think as an adult to exercise the critical thinking necessary to function in the real world. It did not give me the skills for self assessment, reflection and eventual spiritual maturity. All these did come but not at the hands of wrote memorization of rules and laws.
Another problem with memorization and cataloguing of rules and laws is that once you adhere to them, you can think you are doing everything you are supposed to do to be the person God wishes you to be. This is one of the reasons Jesus needed to come for our salvation. It seemed one of His favorite pastimes was to rail against the pharisees whose adherence to the law gave them the impression they were perfect and above everyone else.
This passage reflects something that I have a penchant for railing about myself. That is, Jesus only made it more of a challenge for us as believers. No longer is strict adherence to the law the basis for salvation or what makes you a good person. As I have said, Thou shalt not kill is much more nebulous now and can involve killing another's Spirit by demeaning, by gossip and a whole range of bad behaviour.
Rules can guide us but they cannot replace critical thinking and conscience. Everything we do must be tempered by love and the Two Great Commandments.
‘You have heard that it was said to those of ancient times, “You shall not murder”; and “whoever murders shall be liable to judgement.” But I say to you that if you are angry with a brother or sister, you will be liable to judgement; and if you insult a brother or sister, you will be liable to the council; and if you say, “You fool”, you will be liable to the hell of fire. So when you are offering your gift at the altar, if you remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother or sister, and then come and offer your gift. Come to terms quickly with your accuser while you are on the way to court with him, or your accuser may hand you over to the judge, and the judge to the guard, and you will be thrown into prison. Truly I tell you, you will never get out until you have paid the last penny.
No comments:
Post a Comment