Rev. Reed Lee Pedersen's
I led a mission trip a few years back to help repair houses for elderly and handicapped people near Lorain, OH. On the first night I asked the simple question, “Why did you come here?” Some of the answers varied, but the main answer that came out was something like this: “I came to help people, because it is the right thing to do.”
I find this to be a nice answer. It is the right thing to do. These were good kids and good adults that wanted to help people in need. I came on the mission trip to help people too, but there was something missing in all of the answers. I did not hear name of God or Jesus in any of the answers. (Please note if you are part of the group I led, you are not alone in your answers.) There was nothing to separate this mission trip from any work trip. As Christians we are called to live in response to the gospel. Jesus Christ gave his life for us. Jesus Christ was raised from the dead to show his power over it. This was done for us. We do not have to do anything to deserve it. Instead, out of response of this free grace we are called to follow God’s commands to the best of our abilities and ask for forgiveness when we fall short of it. We are sent to share the love of Jesus Christ through words and actions. As Christians I think it is important that we remember we are called and sent by God to serve others. Helping others is most certainly a good thing to do, but if this is our primary reason for helping others then our actions become secularized. They do not carry the weight of faith and the weight of Christ’s love for the world. An atheist can certainly believe in the common good. They can help others because it is the right thing to do. I find it great that people can help others strictly for the good of humanity. In fact, the majority of the reasons atheist scholars hate religion is because of the hatred and violence committed throughout world history and today in the name of God. If you take a serious look at what the Christian church has done in the name of God you cannot really blame them. Too many times shortsighted Christians have spread hate and judgment which neither serves God or the common good. I want to make a call that we refocus on God’s love shone in Jesus’ death and resurrection. I want to refocus on Christ’s command, “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another.” (John 13:34) It is out of this that we go out helping others. It is most certainly for the common good that we serve and help others, but primarily it is because we are full of the love of Christ which is meant to be shared! Grace and peace to you as you find opportunities to share this love with the world. Points to Ponder:
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AuthorPastor Reed is a first call pastor at Augustana Lutheran Church in Andover, Illinois. Archives
July 2019
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