THE REAL TEST OF RELIGION
The king will answer, "I tell you this: anything you did for one of my brothers here, however humble, you did for me." Matt. 25:40, N.E.B.
My students have learned through the years that I do not give academic credit for religious cliches. Even the most conscientious students can easily fall into the pattern of thinking that spiritual success is found in putting together the right string of religious phrases. So when I hear them talking about being "cleansed by the blood," or "broken at the foot of the cross," or even "justified by the propitiation made as an atonement for our transgressions," I ask a question: "Can you describe that same experience without using any religious words?"
Many people have become skilled religionists, experts at "God-talk" and pious phrases. For many of them, religion is a thing talked about in a realm apart from that which is lived and experienced. They see the world divided into two distinct parts: the real and the religious. Since neither God nor heaven have been observed, conversation about them seldom needs to be verified in the common, actual world.
But Jesus knows that heaven is a very real world, as it is all His creation, and that its future residents will be real people who have learned to take heaven's principles into their daily relationships. So when He described the test of genuine religion, to be applied to those anticipating entrance into heaven, He did not measure how many nice things they could say about God or their smooth doctrinal statements. He spoke instead of the way in which people relate to the common, unspectacular, not-too-impressive people around us.
Have the principles of the kingdom become such a real part of us that we will express them to those who will give us no honor for doing so? Will our own family members (whom we have long since ceased trying to impress) be treated with the same respect and deference as the wealthy corporation executive who could do us a favor? Can we spot a stranger in a crowded market and consciously regard him as a valuable person, in spite of his evident status in life?
The unguarded, impulsive responses, scattered through a busy day of ordinary pressures, really are the most valid measure of the shape of our souls. They are the unconscious reflection of the Object of our affection.
The king will answer, "I tell you this: anything you did for one of my brothers here, however humble, you did for me." Matt. 25:40, N.E.B.
My students have learned through the years that I do not give academic credit for religious cliches. Even the most conscientious students can easily fall into the pattern of thinking that spiritual success is found in putting together the right string of religious phrases. So when I hear them talking about being "cleansed by the blood," or "broken at the foot of the cross," or even "justified by the propitiation made as an atonement for our transgressions," I ask a question: "Can you describe that same experience without using any religious words?"
Many people have become skilled religionists, experts at "God-talk" and pious phrases. For many of them, religion is a thing talked about in a realm apart from that which is lived and experienced. They see the world divided into two distinct parts: the real and the religious. Since neither God nor heaven have been observed, conversation about them seldom needs to be verified in the common, actual world.
But Jesus knows that heaven is a very real world, as it is all His creation, and that its future residents will be real people who have learned to take heaven's principles into their daily relationships. So when He described the test of genuine religion, to be applied to those anticipating entrance into heaven, He did not measure how many nice things they could say about God or their smooth doctrinal statements. He spoke instead of the way in which people relate to the common, unspectacular, not-too-impressive people around us.
Have the principles of the kingdom become such a real part of us that we will express them to those who will give us no honor for doing so? Will our own family members (whom we have long since ceased trying to impress) be treated with the same respect and deference as the wealthy corporation executive who could do us a favor? Can we spot a stranger in a crowded market and consciously regard him as a valuable person, in spite of his evident status in life?
The unguarded, impulsive responses, scattered through a busy day of ordinary pressures, really are the most valid measure of the shape of our souls. They are the unconscious reflection of the Object of our affection.
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