viewoutsidethepew

Institutional Christianity has certain rules and beliefs. One teaching held by the church says that God is all-powerful. I disagree.

Why?

To start with, “God is love” (1 John 4:8, 16). Anyone who has all power over another is abusive. There can be no other way. Anyone who controls the life of another does not love the person, but the power they command over.

Consider that, while God holds each person accountable and responsible, everyone can choose how they live, believe and relate.

So, God loves us enough to accept we have choices to make. No doubt God will try to influence choices so that they benefit the world, but in the end we choose. Whatever rewards or consequences flow from any choice remain ours, both in this life and the next.

Look at the human situation. A pastor who wants to have authority does not love the people, but wants power over. A spouse who claims “headship” mocks Jesus, Who came to serve. Love expresses itself in respect, not control. A denomination that claims it is “the only true church” also says it does not love, for it seeks power and domination.

So God is not “all-powerful”, but “all-loving”. God uses divine strength and wisdom and so on for our eternal benefit, not personal power, domination, fiefdom or cult.

Jesus got down on hands and knees to wash the feet of the disciples, a cultural role which ranked among the lowest functions. Anyone who seeks anything other than this same life of service, respect and compassion does not love the kind of love that God expresses to humanity, as shown through Jesus Christ who chose to die that we might live.

If you won’t die for the people you claim to love, you are a hypocrite, because Jesus said, “Love each other as I have loved you. This is what I’m commanding you to do. The greatest love you can show is to give your life for your friends. You are my friends if you obey my commandments” (John 15:12-14 God’s Word).

And who is the friend of God? “Whoever isn’t against us is for us” (Mark 9:40//Luke 9:50 God’s Word). Not who agrees with me. Not who will submit to my authority. Not whoever holds the right doctrine.

So I side with the all-loving God, who loves me even when I make a bad choice. And when God guides or disciplines the Bible says that comes from love, not temper, tiredness, exasperation or power.

Love…