“I see that you are very religious.” St. Paul

There’s not much that I miss about being a pastor. I miss some of the people some of the time. I miss being at the major events in people’s lives, whether it be a crisis or some cause for celebration. And I miss the preaching. I don’t know that I’ll ever get the chance to preach a sermon in a Christian Church again, but if I did it would probably be similar to the one that Paul preaches on Mars Hill in Athens recorded in the book of Acts. Here’s what I would say:

“Good Christians, I see that you’re very religious. You come to church most Sundays. You give a tithe, or at least a little something, when the plate is passed. If there’s new carpet needed in the church or some sort of building project you’ll give a lot—especially if your gift is made known and recognized by others. You serve on boards and committees. You teach Sunday School and help out with a plethora of programs. You do your best to avoid the “big sins” that you see other people who aren’t religious committing (even though deep down and in secret you do—or wish you could do the same). You work hard at being a good person in the hope that at least others will take notice even if God doesn’t! Congratulations. You are Athenians dressed in the Lamb’s clothing.”

Listen again carefully to what St. Paul is saying here, and instead of applying it to past pagans or present day “problem” people, i.e. liberal democrats, gays and non church-goers, apply it to yourselves! (Read Acts 17, vs. 23-31). God doesn’t live in temples made with hands. He doesn’t want, need or demand your offerings—be it of self or money. He doesn’t “look down” on you for failing to meet His expectations. He doesn’t tell unbelievers that they need to join your church, or believe or live like you do in order to be “saved”. He doesn’t give a prescription to pastors or priests about what programs will build their congregation or their ego. In short Paul doesn’t mention any of the things that “good” pastors and “good” Christian people tend to popularize and prioritize. In fact, Paul says that God doesn’t really give a thought about any of that! He’s echoing Isaiah who said something similar—about all of our good intentions and actions being filthy rags. Jesus says that being right with God is not about doing or giving, or trying to be something that we’re not and never CAN be. Nor is it about being “good religious people” at all. It’s just about being! “In him we live and move and have our being. We are his children.” Being. In God. Through Christ.

God gives us life through Christ who gave His life so that we could have life. That’s it. Nothing more is needed or required of “us” or “them”. In fact, there is no such category! Paul says in Galatians, “There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female.” We could justifiably expand on this; “There is neither Christian nor Non-Christian; Good person nor Bad person; Member nor Non-member; We are ALL one in Christ Jesus.”

So stop. Stop trying so hard. Stop giving so much. Stop focusing on your own imagined goodness while simultaneously and self-righteously condemning the “badness” of others. Stop putting so much time and money and energy into temples made with hands and pay more attention to the places where God is really found—in yourself and in others and in the world. Don’t believe me? That’s where Jesus spent most of His time, not in the church! Stop being so superficial and self-righteous and smug, and in humility practice what you have heard preached—love and grace that is in motion through acts of mercy and compassion and kindness. And for God’s sake stop trying to be so religious, so holy, so committed, so obedient so . . . everything that you think God expects you to be in order for Him to accept you. And just be. In Christ.

That’s enough. In fact that’s more than enough.