Q & R — But why, though?

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A friend posed a question on social media asking what’s the reason and purpose we follow the commandments and tenets of our faith. I replied:

“To love all, serve all, forgive all, and create no sorrow.”

To which I was asked, “But why?”

And here’s my reply:

The short answer? Because the love of Christ compels me.

The long answer? Because I believe that God is Love (1 John 4.8).[1] That the God of all creation was embodied (somehow, mystically) in the person of Jesus of Nazareth (Colossians 1.15; NLT).[2] That through Jesus’ life and death, God reconciled the world to Godself (2 Corinthians 5.19; Colossians 1.19-20) and started the rescue of all creation. That through him, God continues to work through people and has given humanity the job of extending that life, love, and rescue to all others — humans and non-humans alike (1 Corinthians 3.9; 2 Corinthians 6.1). That God’s “ultimate future” is “someday” all of creation will become one with God’s Realm of Love, Peace, and Justice (Revelation 21.1-5). That those who follow Jesus of Nazareth are called, through the power of the Holy Spirit, to be about doing good works of loving kindness, justice, and forgiveness to help bring that future into the present (1 Corinthians 15.58; 3.10-15). And to do that, we have to “love others just as [Jesus] has loved [us]” (John 13.34; 15.12) because “love is what fulfills the Law” (Romans 13.10; Galatians 5.14).

This, my friends, is what compels me to look at the world differently. In the face of all people I see sisters and brothers made in God’s image (Genesis 1.26-27). And when I look at creation, I see God’s glory for all things have the Light of God within them (John 1.4-5; Psalm 19.1; Romans 1.20).

I extend the original question to you, dear friend — what compels you to follow your faith and how does that impact your actions toward others and creation?



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In the Love of the Three in One,

Br. Jack+, LC

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[1] Unless otherwise stated, all scripture quotations and references are taken from The Common English Bible. Copyright © 2011 by Common English Bible.

[2] Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation, Inc. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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