Jesus's Actions Speak Louder Than Our Words

Talk is cheap! Actions speak louder than words! I’m sure you’ve heard both of these scraps of wisdom. Here’s my favorite, learned from my father: “He talks a good game.” A star in the locker room, a flop on the court.

If I’m repeating myself, I apologize, but over the years I’ve become less and less interested in theology and more interested in results. I could say the same about political philosophies. I’m hoping on this election day we see the beginning of a new pragmatism and a silencing of ideologues preaching political “theologies” which have been proven not to work. We all know what we want this country to look like. Why don’t we just do it?

I wrote in an earlier column of how representatives of the Methodist Church ranted against homosexuals at their 2008 General Conference in Fort Worth while a predominately gay and lesbian Methodist congregation in Chicago ignored the brickbats and continued living the Gospel message in service to their community. I could picture God in heaven looking down on the Fort Worth gathering and muttering, “they talk a good game.”

It doesn’t matter who we say God is, God is not confused. While I believe God is still speaking, I don’t think God’s intentions for good have changed since creation. It’s really quite simple and only gets complicated because we make it so as a sleight of hand to advance our own selfish interests.

Let’s be honest; if you read scripture with a biased heart you can find an isolated proof passage to support your prejudices -- as slave owners once did. Read with an open mind and the true beauty of God’s glory will shine through. I was raised Lutheran and was educated in their schools and colleges, then later became a United Methodist, serving for many years in UMC churches. I now worship in a United Church of Christ congregation because their inclusive spirit appeals to me. When others try to probe the theological nuances of these different denominations and how I can jump between them, I say “it’s the same Jesus.” And it is. He’s easily recognizable: teaching a spiritual path, healing and loving all who come seeking the true heart of God. The very same Jesus.

When we read the Gospels it’s easy to see who this Jesus is and who he isn’t. Certainly, he’s less complex or conflicted than most of us. Historically, we’ve struggled to describe his dual nature and his place in the Trinity, but the Jesus of the Gospels is a pretty clear-cut character. He is a man of compassion, uniquely connected with God’s creative and holy spirit. He is a man of courage who doesn’t back down from the establishment’s threats of danger or suffering. He is a man with open arms, welcoming all to come and place their burdens on him. No one is rejected by him, although some disqualify themselves. He is in the business of opening doors, not closing them. The only people who seem to irritate him are those who are always looking to exclude others from God’s kingdom -- like the Pharisees.

Because Jesus is the Great Includer, I’m often surprised to find Christians still dictating who can be forgiven and who cannot, or teaching a theology that designates who can and can’t be saved. Jesus himself says that kind of decision is up to God, not us. Jesus himself had a crystal clear vision of how the world would change if it could be reborn in God’s image. He acted to make it so. Philosophy and theology? He said keep it simple: Love God with all your heart and your neighbor as yourself. Enough said. We -- especially we Christians who would seek to carry our faith into the political realm -- will be well served if we do the same.