(Community Matters) My long time friend Rev Jim Rigby hits a homerun with this editorial in the AAS.
Excerpts:
• Don’t make a show of prayer.
“And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray in public places to be seen by others … But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your heavenly parent, who is unseen.” (Matthew 6:5-6)
• God doesn’t withhold rain because we’ve done something wrong.
“God causes the sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” (Matthew 5:45)
• God doesn’t have favorites.
Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism.” (Acts 10:34)
• Worship by those who neglect the poor is offensive to God.
“I hate, I despise your religious festivals; your assemblies are a stench to me … Away with the noise of your songs! I will not listen to the music of your harps. But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream!” (Amos 5:21-24)
• The heart of Christian ethics is being a good neighbor.When Jesus told the story of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:30-37), it was to teach humility to a rich young zealot who thought he was approaching moral perfection. It is a lesson that many Christians have yet to learn.
Community Matters 