10-21-23

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
October 21, 2023
Today, a number of folks from Cypress Creek Christian Church will be at the Woodlands Pride event. I walk into this event thinking about the scripture for tomorrow’s sermon, John 3:16. There we find the familiar words, “For God so loved the world…” In that gathering today, we will try to make clear the belief that God’s love is unconditional, unlimited and relentless. That’s what we try to do, wherever we are. So many people that we will meet today will have heard that they or someone they love is an abomination, sick, or dangerous. Of course, I am currently a sinful person as I am wearing a shirt made of two different materials, which, according to Leviticus 19:19 and Deuteronomy 22:11, is an affront to God. It doesn’t matter who you are or what you claim about the Bible, all of us are joining every person throughout the history of faith in trying to determine what is sacred, life-giving, joy-producing, and justice-making. And even the words toward the end of John 3:16 have been interpreted in so many ways, sometimes in ways that exclude many. The word “believe,” as I have shared before, was understood by many in the early church to be less of an intellectual exercise and more an act of the heart, often interpreted as belove or behold. How I enjoy the eternal life, not simply after my death, is to love God and follow that love to its faithful conclusion, which is to love my neighbor. In my opinion, we have caused so much damage and hurt in this world in an attempt to use the Bible as a tool of power and control without any sort of acknowledgement of the Living Word, who is Jesus, the Resurrected One—the One who continues to invade every moment through the Spirit. And outside of those who used the systems of oppression in the name of God, Jesus didn’t condemn anyone. He just loved them! And I’m doing my best to do the same.

For all the places where we are blessed to walk alongside another, O God, we ask for your assistance as we attempt to make real your love, kindness, and holy affirmation. Amen.