The Test of Christianity… Should Probably Include Christ.
I’ve seen this floating around. And I get it. I know what they mean. But salt clarifies and this is pretty murky.
“The test of Christianity is not loving Jesus, it’s loving… Judas?”
This is not theology.
If you want to say, “love your enemies.” then say “love your enemies…” or “forgiveness is hard but good.”
But don’t convolute a litmus test for what is Christianity with sentiment or kindness. A fruit of the Spirit, or from the Vine, is NOT THE VINE.
Here’s how I know this is foolish. Can a lost person love Judas? Yes. While not having faith in Jesus? Sure. Are they a Christian? Nope. Lots of people love sinners, that doesn’t necessarily equate to loving the Savior. OR LOVING THE SAVIOR WELL… like with obedience and stuff.
Judas can be fairly easy to love, actually. Judas doesn’t demand I die to self or take up my cross daily. Judas doesn’t challenge me to holiness or obedience. Judas doesn’t demand I love anyone. Not himself and certainly not Jesus. Why would we dare elevate Judas? Are we going to start loving like Judas as well? Jesus would caution against it.
This statement is just poor word choice for the sake of brevity or simplicity. No big deal, right? But it’s poor word choice that brings about folly… dressed up like forgiveness… then trying to substitute forgiveness of others for a test of salvation or faith. Hmmm… simplified to the point of error? Raise your hand if you remember another time that happened. I’ll give you a hint. Garden. Serpent. Nudists? Satan was close on how he restated God’s words, no? Just not precise? Accuracy matters, doesn’t it my fellow foliage wearers?
Just because something seems kind doesn’t make it CREED. Words matter. There’s no Sola Amor or Sola Judas.
And if you want my saltiest, frankest take… this is making someone other than Christ the primary object of our affection and calling it good. Is it not? And not just calling it good, calling it better. Isn’t that just like the world?? “Over here, Believer! The better thing is the one that’s easier and requires less. Trust me!” #TheHellItIs #WellIsntThatSpecial #CouldItBeSatan
The more I think about this the more irritated I get. Exchanging words that change meanings? Be very careful, my salty friends. Inconsistent is consistently wrong. What if it said, “The test of Christianity is not loving Jesus, it is loving yourself.” Y’all, we would agree and love this statement even more. It would seem even more wise and gracious in this “Culture of Self” that we live in. “I just need to learn to love myself… to forgive myself… it’s me that’s been on the cross this whole time… ” Chew on that a minute. We say that like it’s a bad thing, an injustice and we deserve to come down. Psshh. We also assume we’ve mastered loving Jesus and are ready to move on to loving kith, kin, and frenemy. Ha!
I truly love bad things all the time. Like carbs. Easy peasy, pass the rolls pleasy. Love Jesus and devote myself to Him? Of course! Unless Christmas is on a Sunday.
Nope. Love God. Love others. That’s the order. Period. That’s the test of Christianity.
And while we are here mincing words and meat at the feet of the cross… No. We are not all Judas. Capable of being? Yes. Same? No.
#wordshavemeaning #yayclarity #yaydictionarydorks
Oh my…I’ll leave this here for anyone else who happens upon this page. May your heart and mind both remain open to ever deepening meanings and not dependent on the “once and for all” of Christ’s countless righteous interpreters.
There are very few people that I trust. I can count them on one of my hands. Only five fingers on each hand. The reality for me is that Christ shows us how to deal with the enemy. Especially when we want to do the Father’s will and not our own.
Jesus called Judas his friend in Matthew 26:47-56:
And while he yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people. Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast. And forthwith he came to Jesus, and said, Hail, master; and kissed him. And Jesus said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laid hands on Jesus and took him.
Jesus allowed Judas to kiss him in Mark 14:
And immediately, while he yet spake, cometh Judas, one of the twelve, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and the scribes and the elders. And he that betrayed him had given them a token, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he; take him, and lead him away safely.
And as soon as he was come, he goeth straightway to him, and saith, Master, master; and kissed him. And they laid their hands on him, and took him.
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I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and ye took me not: but the scriptures must be fulfilled. And they all forsook him, and fled.
Jesus allowed the scriptures to be fulfilled in John 18:
Judas then, having received a band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons. Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye? They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am he. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them. As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground. Then asked he them again, Whom seek ye? And they said, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus answered, I have told you that I am he: if therefore ye seek me, let these go their way. That the saying might be fulfilled, which he spake, Of them which thou gavest me have I lost none.
Jesus saw the betrayal come and allowed the kiss from Judas in Luke 22:
And while he yet spake, behold a multitude, and he that was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them, and drew near unto Jesus to kiss him. But Jesus said unto him, Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss.
So you see we Christians are to allow God’s plans to play out. Regardless of how they seem to others. Sweet or bitter. God determines the fruit of the Vine.