Living Christianity 6/27/48
Scripture: Luke 22: 14-30
Text: Luke 22: 27c; “I am among you as he that serveth.....”
Just before World War II, Dr. George Mecklenberg of Minneapolis was visiting in Russia. He fell into conversation with the guide who was showing him around, and discussed the influence of Jesus. “Jesus?” said the Russian guide, “O he was a harmless fellow. But, except for a few hypocrites, nobody pretends to obey him. But our leaders now, Lenin and Stalin, more than 200 million people obey them.”
My instant reaction to the reported statement of that Russian guide is that it is appallingly prejudiced. Of course 200 million people obey Stalin - mostly because they have to, or die. In pointing to the splinter - or it may be the toothpick - in the eye of Christian folk, he ignores the log in the Communists’ eye. That, from my point of vantage, is obvious enough. And I shall have more to say about it from time to time, for we must understand it well. But before I do speak further about it, I would invite you to consider the splinter, or toothpick, in the eye of the Christian. When we are doing the looking, it may be that there is a considerable beam in our eye!
Most Christians are convinced that our religion is superior to any other that the world has ever known. I am so convinced myself. This is true particularly in the matter of ideals. The Christian ideals of truth and integrity, of peace and good will, of brotherhood, of justice and fairness, of forgiveness and love are universal in scope and represent ethical perfection for individuals and for all society.
These ideals are not merely theoretical principles, but have actually been lived by men and women whom this world delights to honor - Francis of Assisi, Augustine, Teresa, George Fox, David Livingston, William Booth, Albert Schweitzer, and many others. Especially were these ideals which we call “Christian” lived by Jesus himself. The people who knew him, walked and talked with him, saw his face and heard him speak, were his personal friends - these people found his life so splendid that they had nothing with which to compare it. They said, “God is like that” -- “God became a man and lived among us” [John 1: 14] -- “The God who is Eternal Spirit, Creative Energy, Love, Truth and Justice -- He became flesh and lived among us, and we beheld His glory.”
Jesus himself said: “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” [Matthew 11: 28]. “He that hath seen me hath seen the Father.” [John 14: 9]. “God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believeth on him should not perish but have everlasting life.” [John 3: 16]. “Whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, do ye even so to them.” [Matthew 7: 12].
When a sinful woman was brought before Jesus by a crowd intent only on her punishment, Jesus cared only for her salvation. So he spoke words of forgiveness and power to live rightly. “Neither do I condemn thee; go and sin no more.”
[John 8: 3-11].
On the night before he was to die, he washed his disciples’ feet, giving them and all of us ever since a much needed lesson in humility. “I am among you as he that serveth.” [Luke 22: 27].
In dying, he was able to pray out of his suffering, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” [Luke 23: 34]. Surely no religion anywhere has been or can ever be, more ethical and humanitarian than that!
Well then, let us be aware that the worth of our religion can not be measured by its ideals alone, but by the evidence of its power to transform the lives of its adherents, to change conduct, to inspire willing obedience to God.
In the world around, is Christianity doing that? It think it is in the lives of some. But does it do so in my life? In your life? Does it transform the society of which we are a determinative part? The world’s people including, and especially, communists - will surely judge its value by what they see of it in us. Are men - are we - following the example of the Galilean who lived not by retaliation but “as he that serveth?”
God does not make people good against their will. He does not force goodness upon us. We may obey God, or defy him. We may love God, or curse him to his face. He will not succeed with us, unless we permit him to have his success.
But bear this clearly in mind; if God is not given his way with us - by our willingness and faithfulness; if we insist on our own selfish way without reference to the right, then the selfishness of those who know not God, and who will to have their way with utter ruthlessness, will seize the power wherewith to make their will effective.
This is a crucial time for service, selflessness, sacrifice, and hard work in utter devotion to God in the spirit of Christ. We must make Christian democracy work or it will be overwhelmed. There is salvation for us only in the spirit and the fruit of Christ’s gospel.
An earnest and effective Christian of our time has prayed in these words: “Send me anywhere, only go with me. Place any burden upon me, only sustain me. Break any tie except that which binds me to thyself and they service.”
So that we may be ourselves filled with the same Christian spirit, we will once more enter into simple, direct communion with God and our fellow Christians in this service of love and remembrance around Christ’s table.
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Delivered in Wisconsin Rapids, June 27, 1948 (communion Sunday).