Eileen's Blog - Part 3: Living it Out

How does this all work out in everyday life? Let’s get practical! 

We decide to follow Jesus in our attitudes both towards ourselves, and others. This means paying attention to what he says. The first thing we probably notice is that what he is teaching is almost exactly the opposite to how we, and others, act and react. After the first surprise, or shock, we may look at ourselves and feel inadequate and  perhaps discouraged. However, it is clear that Jesus thinks it is possible that the people he is addressing, including ourselves, are capable of something different if we address this problem.  

In Matthew 5 he uses the formula “ you have heard it said....but I say” to contradict the ideas we have taken on board in our culture and upbringing and to present the contrast between what he says and kingdom living. For instance: 

Love for enemies: "You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbour and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you" (Matthew 5:43-44). 

The disciples heard teaching like this and were  nevertheless prepared to embrace it. It was attractive to them, because it was so radical. They had tried everything else and saw the answers in Jesus’ words. They faced up to the challenges as we read  in John 6 v 66-68.  When Jesus’ teaching got so hard to swallow, many left him, and he told his other disciples they could leave too, but the disciples, led by Simon Peter, responded "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life". They were hooked. They believed.  

Jesus represented a radical change in thinking. Neither he nor the loyal disciples doubted they could think in new ways and discard the old ways. It is part of embracing faith to believe that too, as we step into a different way of thinking and a different way of living. It simply works like this: when we notice we have missed that way we self-adjust, committing to develop new habits.  

The ancient Greek word “ metanoia”,  is translated  misleadingly in most Bibles as “repent”, as in these verses in in Mark 1 14-15 : Jesus went into Galilee, proclaiming .......“The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” 

In our language and way of thinking,  this is associated with ideas of feeling guilty, shamed, inadequate and expressions of sorrow with promised to “do better”. This was never the intention of the writers in the New Testament. In their day it meant simply  “change your mind set”, or think differently. This kind of change or alteration takes time so we are necessarily and consistently merciful on ourselves as much as  we are on others. This is the basis of the lifestyle of the kingdom of God. 

Learning something new takes time to practice, to adjust. The word “disciple” in the New Testament really means “apprentice”, that is, someone who watches the master craftsman and increasing becomes adept at doing what he or she does. Some of the fruits of the Spirit described in Galatians 5 are, after all patience, endurance  and mercy.  As growers are aware, fruit takes time to cultivate, so we give ourselves  time and space to grow in this way. 

We know in life everything will not always go right for us: there are many challenges  and Jesus warned his disciples about inevitable persecution (in Matthew 5 v10/ John 16 v33 for  instance) hardship and the need, as St Paul said, for overcoming evil with good. Following Jesus, being a Christian or “little Christ” is to copy him in these things.   

But there is particular aspect of Christian life that is often missed in all this, best expressed in this  way: live life as if you are loved, because you are. The gospel makes that very clear. We become attached to him because we know he has confidence in us, we are trusted and cared for, we are loved.