Jesusist* - Continued Part 2

When Jesus came to earth did he think he would change the world or was he just killing time until we killed him?  How one thinks about and answers this question is critical.

Not long ago the opportunity to talk at a four-year Bible College presented itself.  There were a couple hundred students plus faculty and staff all gathered in the main auditorium.  To begin the time together I asked if this was a Christian College? The reply was a strong affirmative from all across the room.  Then I asked what is a Christian? The answer was almost in unison from the entire group.  A follower of Jesus was the answer.  With such a strong and conclusive response, I proceeded to ask the first five of the six questions posed in part one of this writing. Answers were called out to each of the questions. At the end of this inquiry an identical result occurred each time. Not one, including faculty and staff, had been able to give Jesus’ answers to the questions.  They had lots of answers but none of them were Jesus’ answers. Shouldn’t this bring great concern to a group of people claiming to follow him?  

The first question (According to Jesus how do we know our sins are forgiven?) is one Jesus answered nine different times in seven different settings.  His answer was always the same. If we forgive we will be forgiven.  Conversely, if we don’t forgive we will not be forgiven.  This means that anyone can know immediately if they are forgiven or not forgiven.  No religious, historical, or theological information, training or practice is required.  A simple (not always easy) measure for each person (now 7.7 billion) to assess their own status regarding forgiveness.  Tragically, this answer is not the answer or practice of Christianity. 

We are told that approximately one third of the world identifies as Christian.  That’s somewhere north of two billion people; people who claim to follow Jesus.  If two billion people started forgiving all others the way they’ve been forgiven would our world change?  How long would it take? Perhaps 36 hours because all the phone lines would jam. Think of this.  No further activity, organization, sending, building, training, fund raising, praying or preaching required … and the world changes! 

The second question (According to Jesus how does one avoid God’s judgment?) is another question Jesus answered consistently and specifically.  Do not judge others and God will not judge you.  Do not be hard on others and God will not be hard on you.  Once again this is not the answer Christianity offers its adherents and it is not its practice.  Yet, if two billion plus people all stopped judging others would our world change? How long would it take?  OMG … it just changed a second time without any further activities. The civil war in South Sudan is over. The Middle East is at peace.  The Congress of the United States is functioning again.  And the list of beautiful changes would go on and on.  

So, what should we do?  What does Jesus tell those who are following to do?  To remove the beam from your own eye. Am I forgiving all others?  Am I refusing to judge others?  This is the only beginning for anyone who will actually follow him.  And "follow me" is the only invitation, calling Jesus has ever issued to a human being.  

*not the Urban Dictionary Term