Weekly Wanderings ... Being "Different"

As a pastor, I often feel like I  ride a fine line between being "better" than lay people and being equal to them. By "better," I mean that I often hold myself to a higher expectation of behavior, particularly when it comes to my faith and spiritual life. And frankly, many lay people put us pastors up on pedestals and then get frustrated when we fail ... and fall off. 

On the one hand, I do believe there is a biblical mandate for those of us in leadership positions to be held to a higher standard. On the other hand, I believe Paul teaches us that we are all the same in Christ. 

In any case, in recent years, I do feel a deep sense of call to hold myself, and others, accountable for our faith journeys. James writes, "What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don't show it by your actions?" And John writes, "Dear children, let's not merely say we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions." 

And Jesus says, "But to you who are willing to listen, I say, love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you. If someone slaps you on one cheek, offer the other cheek also. If someone demands your coat, offer your shirt also. Give to anyone who asks; and when things are taken away from you, don’t try to get them back. Do to others as you would like them to do to you. 

"If you love only those who love you, why should you get credit for that? Even sinners love those who love them! And if you do good only to those who do good to you, why should you get credit? Even sinners do that much! And if you lend money only to those who can repay you, why should you get credit? Even sinners will lend to other sinners for a full return. 

"Love your enemies! Do good to them. Lend to them without expecting to be repaid. Then your reward from heaven will be very great, and you will truly be acting as children of the Most High, for he is kind to those who are unthankful and wicked. You must be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate."

 We who are Jesus' followers are called to be different — to think differently, to do differently. We are called to show the world a new way of love, one that prays for our enemies, not rejoices in their defeat or death. 

I am not saying any of this is easy. I am not saying that it will happen overnight. Believe me, I fail miserably on this far more times than I'd like to admit to myself...or you. 

What I am saying, however, is that if we EVER expect the world to be different, then WE — you and I — need to make it happen. 

We need to praise more and complain less. We need to pray more and worry less. We need to love more and "hate" less. We need to show the world, by our actions, Who we believe in. 

Just nine days ago, we Jesus' followers celebrated His victory over death. In Jesus' resurrection, we receive the hope of eternal life. But we also take hope that in our life here on earth, we can find purpose and value; we can bring the Good News of Jesus to the world — not just in words, but in deeds too. 

As John says, "Our actions will show that we belong to the truth." And James says, "So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless.  Now someone may argue, 'Some people have faith; others have good deeds. But I say, 'How can you show me your faith if you don’t have good deeds? I will show you my faith by my good deeds.'” 

And Jesus says, "So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples. "

I know that being "different" is not always easy. I know people will criticize me, and you, when we fail to join in the celebrations on the news of the death of our enemies; when we offer prayers of peace instead of cheers; when we let go of political agendas and hold on to eternal lessons of love. 

Being "different" is exactly what we are called to be about. One of my favorite Scripture verses is Romans 12:2a. Let the words of Paul come to your mind tonight, and in the days to come, as you think about what it means to be a believer in God, a follower of Jesus Christ: "Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think."