Last night I re-watched A Beautiful Mind, one of the films in my "Top 5 Films" list. John Nash is a student at Yale who reforms the dynamics of economic theory proposed by Adam Smith. His underlying principle is that one making a choice must not make a decision for his own benefit but rather make a decision for his own benefit and the benefit of the community. Jesus' sacrifice on the cross initially benefited/benefits the community but not himself. He suffers terribly for the sake of the community. Am I to suffer for the sake of my community or am I to make decisions in line with the Kingdom of God that benefit myself with the hope that a kingdom-approach will ultimately benefit the community (presuming that the community needs realigned with the Kingdom of God)?
Matthew 5:38-48, NASB
"You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' But I say to you, do not resist an evil person; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also. If anyone want to sue you and take your shirt, let him have your coat also. Whoever forces you to go one mile, go with him two. Give to him who asks of you, and do not turn away from him who wants to borrow from you. You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? If you greet only you brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect."
5 comments:
A. That is an amazing movie. Probably #2 on my top 45 movie list.
B. It's sweet how Jesus always defies conventional knowledge.
3. I would probably go with choice number two. Maybe that would reach more people? Suffering is definitely the way of the cross; yet would un-churched people be more attracted to a lifestyle of suffering and pain, or of a "normal" lifestyle that makes decisions reflective of the kingdom of God? Tough question.
Hmm.
Did God die only for the sake of the other (the community) or was His own heart and character involved?
I think you should choose the second option, but choosing that option often means that you have to suffer for the sake of the community.
I am impressed with Justin's response. In all situations we must consider the impact our actions will have on the kingdom, both its existence and its growth.
I recall my years BC (before Christ) when I was not drawn to Christ and Christian living because of my perceptions of the Christian lifestyle--going to the church building everytime the door was open and becoming weird. then, I met "normal people" who were Christians.
Christian suffering and sacrafice could even be misread or not understood in its proper context. Perhaps we need to nurture the world to Christ and have transformations occur more slowly; taking them from milk to meat.
Radical changes--- sometimes.
No changes--sometimes.
Moderation?
Perhaps self sacrafice includes tollerating others selfishness/misguidedness/weirdness/worldlines/political activism/Christmas celebrations/ involvement, etc to provide an opportunity to share his kingdom with them.
Sacrafice is relevent to the spiritual maturity of the individual. Again, we must be careful of how the sacrafice is percieved by others; does it grow or hinder the kingdom.
TK, Sarah and I visited Princeton once and then watched that movie again after the visit. Really cool experience. I'll have to borrow it some time to watch it again. Hope that you have a great new year. Any predictions?
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