“Christian freedom is about service. The freedom so often espoused in our culture is about self. Christian freedom is found in God, my neighbor, and myself (in that order). Modern freedom is oriented around the unholy trinity: me, myself, and I.”- Rich Villodas
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no greater commandment than these.”- Mark 12:30-31 (NIV)
Rich Villodas concludes Chapter 1 of The Narrow Path with the third sign of walking on the broad path.
3. Individualism. Finally, Rich notes, many people adopt the maxim to just be yourself. However, Pastor Villodas counsels, many times ‘doing you’ simply reflects one’s choice to walk the path of spiritual individualism. Above all, the author cautions, this problem might be the most deceptive. Because it convinces us that we love God, even while we neglect our neighbor.
Hence, Rich underscores:
“Our theology, no matter how good, becomes irrelevant and idolatrous when it’s not used in service of loving god and neighbor.”
So, when the Pharisees tried to engage Jesus in a verbal trap, they asked Him about the greatest commandment in the Law. To which Jesus replied with this grammatically incorrect but spiritually perceptive statement. There is no commandment greater than these. Because, in Jesus’ mind, one cannot separate loving God and loving others.
Thus, Rich stresses, the two commandments mirror one another. How you love God = how you love your neighbor. How you love your neighbor = how you love God.
In conclusion, Rich exhorts:
“To the world, this path seems rigid, impractical, and uncomfortable (to be sure, it will be at times), but like a sea diver adjusting to the heavy pressure of an underwater existence, Jesus will show us a world of wonders we never thought possible! . . . If you choose to follow Jesus down this path, he will meet you in unexpected ways.”
Today’s question: What Bible verses help you subdue the unholy trinity of me, myself, and I? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “Accepted and approved by God”