This past Sunday's sermon was about generosity but what stuck with me was how much people are driven by guilt and pride in both religious and non-religious contexts. If you want to persuade someone to do something, either appeal to their conscience or flatter their ego. We learn how to manipulate each other by tapping into our guilt or pride.
Thus, the Church has also fallen into such humanistic methods of persuasion in spite of Jesus dying a humiliating death so that whomever might believe may be guiltless. Jesus embodies a life without pride and a relationship with God that is guiltless. Jesus is ANTI-GUILT and ANTI-PRIDE. Yet, we go to church with much guilt and pride. Moreover, we are persuaded to action by guilt and pride. And so I see an image of people serving (everywhere in the world) with a heavy load and burden on their back.
So my prayer is HOLY SPIRIT, OPEN OUR EYES. LET US SEE THE BATTLE TAKING PLACE IN OUR SPIRITUAL HEARTS AND MINDS. LET US RECEIVE THE SPIRIT OF CHRIST AND LIVE LIKE HIM, WITHOUT GUILT OR PRIDE. LET US EXPERIENCE FREEDOM IN CHRIST! OUR PERSUASION TO ACT IS HIS LIFE AND HIS INDWELLING IN US. AMEN!
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I think you're right, Leanne. In addition to what you've said, those who try to live without guilt or pride are sometimes viewed as "quirky" or unusual people! The system reinforces itself in many ways.
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amen kangsta!
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