Keeping Jesus’ Word

“Faith not works!” Many Christians love this statement. By and large what people mean by this, is that we don’t save ourselves. We don’t earn our way into heaven. We cannot make ourselves worthy. Salvation is a gift from God. This is all true.

Sometimes, the meaning shifts and the phrase is used to discourage Christians from doing “works”. Actions are dismissed as unimportant in the big picture of salvation. “Faith not works” is used to encourage a sort of passivity or disengagement because what we do ultimately doesn’t matter. I’ve heard more than one Christians say what we do doesn’t matter because “it’s all going to burn”. They believe God is going to destroy the world and thus anything and everything we do. Therefore what we do, doesn’t matter. What matters is waiting with a correct set of beliefs for God to act.

Jesus, however, spends a lot of time explaining that what we do, does matter. Not just then in the first century, but also now. These days, the time after Jesus’ death, resurrection, and ascension, we still have work to do. Work that matters. Work that is grounded in the actions and words of Jesus, the living Word.

Jesus answered him. “Those who love me will keep my word, and my Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. Whoever does not love me does not keep my words, and the word that you hear is not mine but is from the Father who sent me.

I have said these things to you while I am still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything and remind you of all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid. You have heard me say to you, ‘I am going away, and I am coming to you.” If you loved me, you would rejoice that I am going to the Father, because the Father is greater than I. And now I have told you this before it occurs, so that when it does occur, you may believe. John 14:23-29 NRSVUE

These verses are part of Jesus’ Farewell discourse that occurs on the Thursday before his arrest and death. Judas has left the room. He is on his way to betray Jesus. For the next five chapters¹ in John’s gospel, Jesus keeps returning to the same themes, again and again and again. He wants to be sure his disciples understand, they need to stay together and stay faithful in light of what will happen in the next few days. So he keeps talking, keeps teaching:

Love. “Those who love me will keep my word.”

Peace. “My peace I give to you.”

Trust “Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.”

Presence “”We will come to them and make our home with them.”

He also tells them there will be opposition to their actions as faithful disciples. The life they are called to live will not be easy.

Notice what Jesus does not say. He doesn’t tell his disciples to exact revenge. He does not tell them to take over the government. He does not tell them to impose their understanding of God’s will on the world. He does not say that living Jesus’ way of love will be easy. Or without challenges. Or without troubles.

Our world today has its share of troubles. There are plenty of voices telling us to be afraid.

To be afraid of people we don’t know. People who look different. Who speak differently. Who believe differently.

To be afraid of different ideas. Or different ways of doing things.

To be afraid of change, because changes in society might affect the ways we do things. Might challenge us. We might have to give something up.

To be worried about being too different. Of not conforming. Of being a threat to the status quo. To be afraid of the judgement of our family, friends, and society.

To be afraid to speak out and speak up.

Yet in spite of all this, Jesus calls us to follow him.

Jesus tells us to not be afraid. To not let our hearts be troubled.

Jesus tells us that He and the Father will be with us. Jesus tells us that the Holy Spirit will teach us. Jesus tells us to keep his word. Jesus tells us to remember all that he taught.

So we, together, wherever we are, do the next right thing, just as Jesus taught us. We love our neighbors. We love our enemies. We seek to share the peace of Christ, which means working for the well being of everyone.

At my church we end every service with these words. We say them, out loud, together.

Go into the world in peace. Have courage. Hold on to all that is good. Return no one evil for evil. Do justice. Walk with those who are fainthearted. Help those who suffer. Honor all people. Love and serve God, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit.

These are inspiring words. Noble words. Challenging words. And they are, if I take them seriously, terrifying words. I cannot do this. If I’m honest, some days I just don’t want to do this. It is easier to stay home and not be involved. I don’t want to honor all people. I’d rather dishonor some of them on social media. I can look at people’s suffering and think, well, you had that coming. Thoughts and prayers. It is too hard to work for justice. It is too hard to be present with those who suffer or are fainthearted. It all takes time, effort, and commitment. It is stressful. Often, I would just rather not be bothered.

Honestly I could stay home, and keep quiet. I could mind my own business and live my life without much stress, no matter who is in the White House. But every day, I read my Bible, and pray and try to listen to the Spirit. Then I take a deep breath, more like a big sigh if I’m honest, and think, “Alright Jesus, help me do better today. Help me do the next right thing, today. Help me have courage. Help me work for justice. Help me walk with the fainthearted. Help me honor all people. If you could send some folks for me to do this with. I would be grateful. Because, like the first disciples, I can’t do this by myself.”

This is our question. This is our challenge. Will we, together, keep Jesus words? Will we love the stranger and the enemy? Will we share and work for the peace of Christ? Will we?

1. John 14:1-17:26 is sometimes called the “Farewell Discourse”. ↩︎