Pastor’s Message

“Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the parent loves the child. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. For the love of God is this, that we obey his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome,....” 1 John 5:1-3

When, as a confirmation class, we get to the end of our study and discussion of the Ten Commandments, we do a little imagining. Try and imagine a world where parents and those in authority are honored and respected and in return they exercise their authority out of love for the common good of all; where no one murders, but strives to preserve and sustain life; where no one steals, but works so that all are able to keep their possessions; where people are faithful to each other in the most intimate of relationships; where no one lies or slanders or wants for themselves, the blessings that God has bestowed on others. Just imagine. It would be heaven, nearly.

I think we can all agree that the vision of a world of social interdependence and responsibility witnessed to by the Ten Commandments is worthy of our best efforts, not just for a little while but for all of our lives. Yet, I think we also have to understand the vital connection between this vision for world and society and our relationship to God. By living the first three commandments -- the ones that show us who God is and tell us about God’s desire to live in communion with us – we are led into deeper, more loving relationships with the people around us.

True and authentic love for the world and for our neighbor begins with love and trust in the God who has called and redeemed us (First Commandment). Our relationship with God grows and deepens through prayer, praise and thanksgiving (Second Commandment) and through hearing and doing God’s word (Third Commandment).

Learning to live out both parts of the Ten Commandments is our Lenten journey and indeed our Christian journey. Now, just imagine the world where all of God’s people live and abiding by faith and trust in God alone and live lives in communion and worship of the God who has saved us. Just imagine. It would be heaven, truly.