What are we called to do?

[RainCaster]

First off, the ideas presented here are entirely my own. This is not fully formed, and I'm looking for ideas/prayer/support from others by posting this. My spiritual background began as a child in a Lutheran church. I married a United Methodist and felt very at home in that very liberal church. In our moves over the years we have been Free Methodist, Baptist, United Methodist and now Presbyterian. We have agreed more with some of those churches than others. Now you know something of my background. Greetings to you all.

This is based on Matthew 25:31-46. A gentle reminder for those who can't look it up right now- "Lord when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink?"

I've been looking at the Project 2025 document and all the conservative plans in it. It's easy for us to shake our heads and say that "they deserve what's coming" when our neighbors (conservative or not) get hammered by the various aspects of that movement. I feel called to be different. Given Jesus's teaching in this text, I feel that I am called to do positive acts that counter what the GOP wants to take away.

One example relates to the destruction of Social Security. When my church gets the notice that we no longer have to pay into the FICA fund, we will receive a savings for a part of our payroll. Should we celebrate & "thank God"? I think we should instead increase our matching funds into every employee's 401K plan to make up for the fact that their SS has now been stolen.

Another example relates to the destruction of the Department Of Education. I suspect this will hit every school district around the country. I know it will hit mine. Our church proclaims that we are here to reach the children of our community. To me, that means that we must become involved in politics- at least enough to proclaim firm support for the obvious emergency school levy.

So what are your feelings on the coming changes? Where do these changes intersect with your faith? What ideas do you have about how we are to reach out to our neighbors during these times? Medicare, Medicaid, veterans healthcare, food stamps, etc are all going to face a retribution from the far right, even though it will hit them hardest. What can we do to counter such things, and how hard do I have to bite my tongue as I think "I told you so"?

[delisen]

1. Jesus gave us 2 commandments. nt

[Karadeniz]

2. I think one of the most difficult of jesus instructions is to love your enemy.

About the best I can usually do is to not hate them! However, Jesus was right: be perfect as your father is. Understanding the causes of unchristian behavior in others helps a lot, opening up the possibility of replacing hate with pity. It's a start!

I blame over. 1500 years of false teaching by the only available church for the difficulty people have in striving to achieve Jesus's instructions. Poor Martin Luther! He regarded our duty as so beyond his reach that he combed through scripture until he found a loophole: grace! No faith with works! Participation trophies for everyone!

Fortunately Jesus, to insure his secret knowledge of the soul and how it functions within the God System wouldn't be perverted by the unscrupulous, hid his knowledge within the oarables. I'm probably not the only person in. 2000 years to decode them, but their content isn't part of theology today.

Without giving things away, perfection is indeed necessary for salvation, but you have as long as you need beyond this lifetime to get there! For now, pick one or two character traits you feel could use improvement.

[The Great Open Dance]

3. Love

We are called to be agape, God's universal, unconditional love, in a loveless world. It is very difficult, especially now, but hope is mandatory. Be agape, work for agape, serve agape, and hope for the sunrise, which waits just over the horizon. Godspeed you.