The Word of God...
What is the “Word of God”? I can remember pastors and preachers over the decades holding up the Bible and giving it this title by saying, “The Word of God says...” When did this title come about? Is it something we have acquiesced into our knowledge base or does it have foundation somewhere in the Bible itself...?
We simply cannot use it as a moral compass standard lest we condone slavery, rape, inequality in the sexes, murder, pillaging...
So how can we embrace some of it as the “Word of God” but not all? Where do we draw the line? Somehow by giving the Bible the title of “The Word of God” we embrace and propagate cultural initiatives for example, there are some sects where women cannot cut their hair or wear make-up because of references about Jezebel painting her eyes and hair is a “woman’s glory.” Some sects do not permit women to teach and others that insist on food consumption guidelines, dress and social behaviors.
We regulate being a “Christian” as someone that has accepted Jesus into their heart as their personal Lord and Savior, a practice that insures a heavenly reward. But there is no scripture that requires this modern evangelic practice...
We must believe... We must be baptized... Jesus is the way...
Yes, Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life and no one comes to the Father but by me...” What is this way and where is the Father? Jesus said the Father is within and that HE does not dwell in buildings made with hands...
Within us.
What is this “WAY?”
Should we look more to the example and pattern that Jesus set and follow IT rather than to practice a non biblical reciting of the sinner’s prayer?
Come! Let us reason together...
This way is what got Jesus in so much trouble with the ruling religious order of the day because this pattern threatened its existence. Much like today, when traditional Christian Fundamentalism is challenged cries of HERESY! FALSE PROPHET! ANTI-CHRIST! DECEIVER! are heard... Isn’t it ironic that Jesus never warned of such things? Go search for yourself.
What is this WAY that Jesus identified as THE way to the Father???
Jesus broke the hierarchical rules. He said we did not have to follow the “LAW.” He ate and socialized with those from outside the societal norms. He said, “DO NOT JUDGE. He taught us to break from tradition. He taught us that the Kingdom was WITHIN. He said if they say that the Christ is in the field and to come greet him, DO NOT BELIEVE THEM. Certainly this applies to any perceived “second coming!” This is because the appearing of Christ is within YOU.
It is not external. The Christ is being formed within you.
So do you know of someone breaking tradition among you? Do you know of someone having mercy on the woman caught in adultery? (Incidentally, this woman is an archetype of all religious systems require that you join them - it is that which we metaphorically “fornicate” when we join ourselves to other “lovers.”)
Jesus spoke mysteries and called them such. For us to take even this example literally, we miss the point of his message.
Be fearless. Look at these mysterious messages with fresh eyes not weakened from lenses that interpret for you. Meet him there, in the “upper room.”