David Bahn – Reflections

John Ortberg makes an interesting observation about misguided Christians. He says that in an attempt to be different some Christians only end up being weird. His point is that being a true follower of Jesus is different, but that difference has little to do with a unique manner of dress, an affected manner of speech, or a particular religious expression.

Matthew 15:10-20

And he called the people to him and said to them,  “Hear and understand: ¹¹ it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person.” ¹²Then the disciples came and said to him, “Do you know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?” ¹³He answered,  “Every plant that my heavenly Father has not planted will be rooted up. ¹⁴Let them alone; they are blind guides. And if the blind lead the blind, both will fall into a pit.” ¹⁵But Peter said to him, “Explain the parable to us.” ¹⁶And he said,  “Are you also still without understanding? ¹⁷Do you not see that whatever goes into the mouth passes into the stomach and is expelled? ¹⁸But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person. ¹⁹For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander. ²⁰ These are what defile a person. But to eat with unwashed hands does not defile anyone.”

It’s easier to focus on external markers of religious practice than the substance of faith. Such was the case of the Pharisees of Jesus’ day. They had the externals down to a T. Travel no more than 1500 paces from your home or carry no more than 5 sticks of wood on the Sabbath. Put decorative fringes and tassels on your robes as markers of religious devotion. Wash your hands and cups, pots, and even couches – not for purposes of hygiene, but to have them ceremonially purified.

But they had it all wrong. Mere outward compliance to even the most compelling religious expressions is never a substitute for from-the-heart faithfulness to God. There is a subtle but vitally important difference here. God’s work in our hearts and his declaration of righteousness for the sake of Jesus is the essential component of faith. But true faith is always expressed in some manner. And while we don’t do better by rejecting all religious expression, we must be marked by love for God and neighbor above all else. Our concern must always and ultimately be for the state of the heart, no matter how different, weird, religious, or common our actions may be.

We will be less concerned about pointing out someone’s religious shortcomings than loving and serving him in Christ’s name if we are to take our faith seriously.