Higher Standards

Those of us who follow the lectionary have spent the month of February looking at that collection of Jesus’ teachings known as the “Sermon on the Mount.” Last week we were told that it’s not enough for us to resist killing; we need to purge anger from our lives. It is not enough to not commit adultery; we need to be free from the controlling power of lust. It is not enough to tell the truth; our integrity must be such that our word needs no validating.

These are high standards, but then Jesus raised the bar. “You have heard it said … but I say: turn the other cheek, give your cloak, go the second mile.” We’ve heard these verses so often they have lost their impact.

We nod our heads at these pious words, at least until life presents us with an opportunity to practice them. As C. S. Lewis said, “Everyone thinks forgiveness is a lovely idea until they have something to forgive.” Everyone agrees with Jesus that we must learn to love our enemy, until we have an enemy to love.

When someone makes our life difficult we think it’s enough to avoid hating them, but that isn’t Jesus’ standard. Jesus calls us to affection, good will, mercy, and even love.

I invite you to really listen to what Jesus is saying about how we are to live. Listen to this passage from the paraphrase The Message and see if God is Still Speaking to your life:

Here’s another old saying: ‘An eye for eye, tooth for tooth.’ Is that going to get us anywhere? Here’s what I propose: ‘Don’t hit back at all.’ If someone strikes you, stand there and take it. If someone drags you to court and sues for the shirt, give them your coat too. No more tit-for-tat. Live generously.

You are familiar with the old law, ‘Love your friend,’ and its unwritten companion, ‘Hate your enemy.’ I’m challenging that. I’m telling you to love your enemies. Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst. When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energy of prayer. Then you are working out of your God-created selves.

This is what God does. God gives sun to warm and rain to nourish—and gives it to everyone: the good and bad, the nice and nasty. If all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that. If you greet those who greet you, do you expect a medal? What I’m saying is, Grow up. You are Citizens of the Realm of God. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, just the way God lives toward you.

I don’t know about you, but being holy or perfect sounds easier than that. What troubles me about these truths is that these are things I should do but frankly just don’t want to.

Being a Christian is nice, being a disciple is tough.

by Michael Piazza
Center for Progressive Renewal