In America's culture today, it is easy to see how we may think everything should revolve around us. Social media, selfies, and mega influencers light up our screens 24/7 with airbrushed faces and a boatload of expressed whims, dislikes, and likes. Across all media platforms, many are focused on “me, myself, and I.”
We fixate upon individual rights—to the point that rugged individualism has morphed into entitlement, nationalism and a version of tribalism that associates prosperity with spirituality and godliness. After all, aren’t we the entitled sons and daughters of God? Isn’t the United States uniquely favored by heaven? Aren’t we the “shinning city on a hill” that the rest of the world envies and wants to be like?
In an age where material wealth is often equated with spiritual favor, it's easy to believe that the more we have, the more God loves us. The kingdom of me is an easy destination to arrive at.
Instead of blessing the poor in spirit, those who mourn, and the meek, what if Jesus had said:
“Blessed are the proud in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
“Blessed are those who laugh at and make fun of others, for they will be comforted.”
“Blessed are the arrogant, for they will inherit the earth.”
“Blessed are those who are full of themselves and feel no need for righteousness, for they will be filled.”
“Blessed are the merciless, for they will be shown mercy.”
“Blessed are the corrupt, for they will see God.”
“Blessed are the warmongers, for they will be called sons of God.”
“Blessed are those who persecute the righteous, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
“Blessed are you when you insult, persecute, and falsely accuse others for my sake.”
“Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way I persecuted and vilified others before you.”
From the way many Christians talk and act today, it seems like they believe the above perversion of the Sermon on the Mount. But, what Jesus said about the poor in spirit, the meek, the peacemakers, and humble of heart, still stands. The Kingdom of God is that crazy off-the-wall place Jesus said it is.
Author and speaker, Ellen White, writes about the far-reaching aspect of God’s Kingdom and his mission to redeem fallen humanity. “Christ tears away the wall of partition, the self-love, the dividing prejudice of nationality, and teaches a love for all the human family. He lifts men from the narrow circle that their selfishness prescribes; He abolishes all territorial lines and artificial distinctions of society. He makes no difference between neighbors and strangers, friends and enemies. He teaches us to look upon every needy soul as our neighbor and the world as our field.” (Mount of Blessing, by E.G. White, p. 42).
Universal Kinship
Christianity has no room for nationalism, sectarianism, or racism. When Jesus said that his followers will treat others as they wish to be treated, he didn’t say, “It would be nice if my followers behaved this way.” No, he said, they will. Jesus followers are known by their love.
“Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples” (John 13:35, NLT).
When we embrace Jesus and his teachings, we reject our default inborn preference to put ourselves, our nation, and our interests above everyone else’s. This is a choice, not a feeling, that Paul speaks about in Philippians 2:3-8:
“Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.”
“Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross.”
If instead of being known by our love, we are known for our hate and bigotry, guess what? We are not Christian. We are pseudo Christian, which means we are an imposter or fake. If this is our reality, it isn't too late to rewrite our story's ending and change the narrative.
(Read the Sermon anew in Matthew 5:3-12 and let it marinate in your mind and heart).
Rich DuBose writes from Northern California. Photography by Pixabay.
Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from the New Living Translation (NLT), copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.