Sacramental Living

Can authentic Christian faith be positive and/or practical?

Is the Way of Jesus a system of ideas that provide for positive and practical lives?

Or is the Way of Jesus rather a set of practices to be lived out in community?  Even practices that will cause us in the community a good deal of suffering, discomfort, sacrifice, and so forth?

I am amazed at the number of (growing … numerically) churches that espouse a practical and positive result of being part of their faith communities.  Uplifting messages are trumpeted.  Applying the (seemingly simple) Scriptures in practical ways in life is the golden chalice.

Jesus gives a stark contrast to this when he maps out the way for his disciples:  “Take up your cross everyday and walk with me.”

Some of the places Jesus goes make me uncomfortable.  Taking up a cross sounds terrifying.  Walking with Jesus just might get us killed.

SO TELL ME SOMETHING:
Which seems more authentic to you: practical or taking up a cross?

——

Brian Niece
www.brianniece.com
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