The great Danish and Christian philosopher Søren Kierkegaard has said and written many interesting things, but this week’s quote is as relevant now in 2008 as it was when Kierkegaard wrote it in his apartment overlooking Copenhagen in 1800 and something.
“Christianity didn’t come in order to develop the heroic virtues of the individual, but rather to remove self-centeredness and establish love”
True Christianity is not about me. It’s not about some kind of self-improvement program. It’s not about Christ blessing me so I do better what I do or have more of what I would like to have or suffer less of what I don’t like. That’s not Christianity. Jesus came and raised the bar even higher than the law of the Old Testament – “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, “Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment”. But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment” (Matthew 5:21-22) and “You have heard that it was said, “Do not commit adultery”. But I tell you that that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matthew 5:27-28 ) – what was his point with this? For us to be able to do what he told us? Nope, absolutely not. On the other hand, he showed his followers back then and his followers today that we are incapable of fulfilling the law. We need a Savior. We need Christ. We need somebody to do what we cannot do. And as in Kierkegaard’s quote that includes love. “Love your God and love your neighbor” Christ proclaimed. I don’t even know how to do that. But Christ does. God is love. And God will move me away from self-centeredness and the absurd idea that I have it all together and to the place where I cry out to God and ask him to live, lovee and forgive through me. And he will. And he does. And life – the way God always intended it – is being established, a life where I have all my deepest needs met in God and can experience his life and blessing flowing through me!
Torben
Broken I run to You 