By Mike Edwards
Church folks have been told forever, who then tell others, that Jesus’ life and death on the Cross was to spare us from going to Hell to appease God’s anger about our sins. This isn’t how Jesus interacted with others. Relationships with humans or God can’t be built on fear and anger rather than love and grace. Christians often try to save others from a fiery afterlife rather than discussing how God’s presence in our life can help become more the person we desire to become deep down. Godly living in this world leads to a meaningful life with less regrets.
Has God’s message (Gospel) been hijacked?
Jesus’ message couldn’t be about avoiding Hell. Common understandings of Hell aren’t necessarily biblical. See here. Jesus was asked by a religious expert how to have eternal life. Jesus spoke of how to start living here on earth not what awaited in the afterlife. He simply said to love God and your neighbor (Lk.10:25-37). I am convinced Jesus spoke of loving God not to get into heaven but to receive help in loving others as you love yourself. You don’t have to drop to your knees and say a prayer to get “in” with God. You only have to want God’s help. Jesus’ salvation was about living a meaningful life here on earth with God’s help.
How did Jesus interact with others in the Gospels?
Most Christians believe to understand Jesus is to understand God. I read through the Gospel of Mark to see what Jesus’ message was to others. Mark’s Gospel is considered the earliest written from which Matthew and Luke cited. In all the Gospels Jesus never advises to preach to the masses to save them from Hell in the afterlife. Jesus sought to help others avoid hell here on earth. Sin is destructive. It has natural consequences.
- When Jesus met his disciples, he only said “follow me.” (Mark 1: 16:17, 2:14) A set of beliefs wasn’t required. I don’t see any message to the disciples other than living a life worth living.
- Jesus said “Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.” (Mark 3:35) Being close to God or Jesus isn’t claiming certain beliefs or traditions; Jesus simply encouraged actions that lead to loving others as yourself. “Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.” (Mark 9:35)
- People were bringing children to Jesus and he said “anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” (Mark 10:15) The kingdom of God was not a future home but a current reality. Jesus has just said “some who are standing here will not taste death before they see that the kingdom of God has come with power.” (Mark 9:1)
- A rich person asked how to have eternal life. Jesus said sell everything and follow me. (Mark 10: 17-31) Surely Jesus’ point was to love people more than possessions. What does following Jesus mean? When asked what was the greatest commandments, Jesus only said to love God and your neighbors (Mark 12:30-31). What! Not drop to your knees and say a prayer!
- The above interactions are similar to when Jesus dealt with the women caught in adultery. (Jn. 7:53-8:11) Jesus only encouraged the woman to go and sin no more. Where was his evangelical spiel. He might never see her again! Apparently, Jesus came to encourage living a loving life toward others and yourself. That’s the way a loving God does.
God seeks to help avoid a life full of regrets
We are often told the main message of the Bible is Jesus coming to give you salvation to save you from Hell so you could enter Heaven. I am convinced Jesus spoke of loving God not to get into heaven but to receive help in loving others as you love yourself. There are no beliefs necessary. You only have to want God’s help in pursuing a life not full of regrets. Try it! It’s on God to come through for you if you choose to follow. Jesus when leaving this earth spoke of having God’s spirit within us. The Cross is about our violence, not God requiring violence to forgive us. Killing a man simply for claiming to be God reveals our ugly violent nature not God’s. Personally, following God has inspired and encouraged me to be the person I desire to be. I haven’t arrived but I’m on that journey.
What Really Is God’s Message To Us According To The Bible?
Mike Edwards has been writing for Done with Religion for some time and has been a great addition to the site. He couldn’t find enough people to discuss God openly so he started blogging years ago. Mike also has his own site where he writes that can be found at What God May Really Be Like He can be contacted by email at: medwar2@gmail.com
Done with Religion 