Hold to the Standard

Hold to the standard of sound teaching that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. Guard the good deposit entrusted to you, with the help of the Holy Spirit living in us. ~ 2 Timothy 1:13-14

Christianity is a big tent. Under it are people of all stripes and sorts and ideas and sizes and colors.

And beliefs. In Christianity there are all sorts of beliefs. These days in the news you probably notice that more than at other times.

But not all beliefs are sound. Not all beliefs are grounded "in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus."

So how do we know? How do we know what sound teaching is? How do we know what to affirm and what to hold with suspicion? How do we begin to know if the teaching is of the Holy Spirit...or not?

We begin with the words of Jesus.

The Jesus who said, "Love your neighbor. Love your enemy. Blessed at the peacemakers. Blessed are those who mourn. Blessed are the poor in spirit."

The Jesus who said he came to set the prisoner free.

And we move then to the actions of Jesus: the Jesus who healed those on the margins; who showed empathy and compassion to those the world forgot.

How do we know teaching is sound?

When love and compassion are at the center, we can have a pretty good idea.

Loving, compassionate God, help me to share your love and to trust the teachings of Jesus because they are centered in that love. Amen