I am a follower of Jesus.Please leave a comment, visit my website, and/or send me an email at rich@richdixon.net.
I shouldn’t need to say that–my actions and words ought to convey such a foundational aspect of my identity. But I fear that’s often not what really happens.
You’ll notice that I didn’t identify myself as a “Christian.” The broader culture associates that term with such a broad range of attributes that it’s become nearly a meaningless description. Christian connotes political rhetoric, judgment, condemnation, and exclusion. Christians are known more for what they oppose (and for being angry about it) than for what they support.
When Jesus was asked about the most important attribute of His teaching He replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind … And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22)
Another time, Jesus tells us that it’s not enough to love the lovable. We’re actually supposed to love our enemies. (Matthew 5)
If I claim to follow Jesus, however imperfectly, then my direction is clear. I must strive to demonstrate love–agape–in every aspect of my life. And I must love everyone, even those for whom I don’t “feel love.”
It’s a simple teaching to understand, but a very difficult one to actually follow. That’s just one of the many blessings I’ve received through the story of Relentless Grace. Each time I recall or tell the story I’m reminded of people who extended friendship at a time when I wasn’t very friendly in return. Whenever I wonder why I ought to love someone who treats me unkindly, I think about the impact of self-sacrificing agape in my own experience and how those acts of kindness still ripple through my life.
Christianity is too often perceived as complex and contentious, a human-created mess of rules and judgments framed in anger and condemnation. In that sense, I don’t wish to identify myself as “Christian.”
But I do wish to follow Jesus. I’ll never accomplish that desire perfectly, but that’s another message of Relentless Grace. I’m not loved because of my accomplishments. I’m loved, by grace, because God chooses to see me through Jesus and chooses to love me despite my faults.
Following Jesus means striving to extend toward others the love that’s been extended toward me. Everything else is detail.
“Now these three remain: faith, hope, and love. But the greatest of these is love.” (1 Corinthians 13:13)
Question: What’s your reaction to the idea of loving someone who treats you badly?