The Shema, or Deuteronomy 6:4-9, is one of the most important passages in Judaism. It’s about how you have to “love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul and all your might.” Jesus thought it was the “greatest commandment” as evidenced by his words in Mt. 22:37-38. While reading this I had a wild thought…
I was wondering about religious intolerance, thinking about those people who are so sure they’re absolutely right about God and everyone else is wrong. Those people who condemn everyone to Hell for disagreeing with their beliefs. Thinking that, since they’re going to Hell anyway, it’s ok to taunt, bully, exclude, batter, or kill people who disagree.
It occurred to me that a God who can give rise to the Universe could certainly kill off non-believers if it wanted to. Unless, of course, killing people over religious ideology is against the rules even for God. Then I thought that if it’s against the rules for the source of life itself, it’s probably against the rules for us too.
And that’s it for tonight…I just had to share that thought.
Dearest Shelley,
ReplyDeleteThank you for your writings. You inspire me to think more deeply about what I am reading and digesting.
Holly
Very fortunately for us, God is a God of mercy, compassion and patience beyond our understanding. Even His discipline and judgment are merciful and compassionate. He does mention about 6 times in the NT that we aren't supposed to be the ones judging, for our own good. We really must withstand all temptation to do God's job.
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