Multi-dimensional God
Ephesians 4:2 "Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love."
We are commanded to show different characteristics and different traits at different times in the Bible. There are the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) we are to bear, and the characteristics of love (1 Corinthians 13:4-8) that we are to take on. But I think we have a tendency to latch onto certain verses or certain traits and act as if they are the only ones.
Most would naturally picture Jesus as meek and mild, gently teaching His followers and turning the other cheek to His enemies. But what about the scene in the temple courts where an enraged Jesus goes on a rampage against those who are desecrating His Father's house? What do you do with that side of Jesus if you only believe He was a peacemaker and His primary goal in life was to be nice? Do you just quickly get through that part of the Bible and act like you didn't read it, because it makes you uncomfortable to think of Jesus that way?
Jesus was not one-dimensional, and neither is the Father. Jesus showed patience and compassion when someone needed it, and He showed a fierce strength when other situations called for it. To be clear, His expressions of anger and aggression never crossed the line of sin, which is so important for us to see. Anger and aggression are not sin, by definition. If expressed appropriately in situations that call for it, and ultimately in love, anger and aggression (or any other traits that we don't associate with the stereotypical image of Jesus) can be exactly what is called for and what is needed.
I am not advocating some sort of physical or verbal abuse. Again, when we cross the line into sin territory, we are in the wrong. But in a situation where our families are in danger (physical or spiritual), is aggression not an appropriate response? Would Jesus advise against it? Not the real Jesus.
Jesus, just like God the Father, found Himself in different situations with different people and different issues. He responded in multiple ways depending on what was needed in order to advance His ultimate message of love. He didn't fall back to the same, one-dimensional response (turn the other creek, for example) in every situation.
The Bible shows us from cover to cover the multi-dimensional nature of God. We bear the image of that multi-dimensional God. Don't put Him (or ourselves) in a box as to "how a Christian should act" and expect it to fit for every situation. Don't just read part of the Bible- read all of it.
We are commanded to show different characteristics and different traits at different times in the Bible. There are the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) we are to bear, and the characteristics of love (1 Corinthians 13:4-8) that we are to take on. But I think we have a tendency to latch onto certain verses or certain traits and act as if they are the only ones.
Most would naturally picture Jesus as meek and mild, gently teaching His followers and turning the other cheek to His enemies. But what about the scene in the temple courts where an enraged Jesus goes on a rampage against those who are desecrating His Father's house? What do you do with that side of Jesus if you only believe He was a peacemaker and His primary goal in life was to be nice? Do you just quickly get through that part of the Bible and act like you didn't read it, because it makes you uncomfortable to think of Jesus that way?
Jesus was not one-dimensional, and neither is the Father. Jesus showed patience and compassion when someone needed it, and He showed a fierce strength when other situations called for it. To be clear, His expressions of anger and aggression never crossed the line of sin, which is so important for us to see. Anger and aggression are not sin, by definition. If expressed appropriately in situations that call for it, and ultimately in love, anger and aggression (or any other traits that we don't associate with the stereotypical image of Jesus) can be exactly what is called for and what is needed.
I am not advocating some sort of physical or verbal abuse. Again, when we cross the line into sin territory, we are in the wrong. But in a situation where our families are in danger (physical or spiritual), is aggression not an appropriate response? Would Jesus advise against it? Not the real Jesus.
Jesus, just like God the Father, found Himself in different situations with different people and different issues. He responded in multiple ways depending on what was needed in order to advance His ultimate message of love. He didn't fall back to the same, one-dimensional response (turn the other creek, for example) in every situation.
The Bible shows us from cover to cover the multi-dimensional nature of God. We bear the image of that multi-dimensional God. Don't put Him (or ourselves) in a box as to "how a Christian should act" and expect it to fit for every situation. Don't just read part of the Bible- read all of it.
posted by Robert Jory Allen at
3:15 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home