Universalism

Last night I had a conversation with a high school student (at local Laguna Beach Yogurt Shop) who has been attending the FALLOUT for a few months. I asked him how he liked it? What questions he had? And if he comes from any religious background? He expressed he enjoys it because no one is shoving their judgmental perspectives on him and we are open to asking a lot of hard questions. Right then and there I gave him a high five. He went on to say he was not very religious and that he had dabbled with Satanism, Judaism, and Catholicism. He also told me he had a difficult time understanding that there is only one way to God. He views Jesus as this bully who will be guarding the heavenly gates double checking to see if you are on the eternal list. Then, he sheepishly asks: Jeremy, do you really think Jesus is the only way?

I immediately took a big bite out of my Golden Spoon yogurt to stall as I collected my thoughts. I wanted to communicate in a way that would not make me seem as this religious elitist and egoistical fo-hawked youth pastor. In my head I am screaming: WHY? WHY? DO THESE LATE ADOLSCENTS HAVE A DIFFICULT TIME WITH CHRISTIAN UNIVERSALISM? I took my last bite and said something like this:

Jesus in John 14.6 states “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.”

This way Jesus is talking about is very narrow. Narrow is the way, and only a few find it (Matt7.13-14). Following Jesus is difficult and hard. Following in the way means that this life is not yours. In order to gain an abundant life, one must lose it. To say Jesus is arguing for a right religion in this verse would suggest you are not getting it. In my opinion that is a very surface and easy way to interpret the John 14.6 verse. There is so much more going, so many layers, so many metaphors when Jesus speaks. See, when everything gets answered, it is artificial. There is no room for mystery.

I see this verse as, Jesus communicating to His followers or potential followers that His way is the way to enter reality. Following the teachings of Jesus is the real deal. Maybe Buddha can instruct those to pursue habits of happiness. And those habits may work. But can Buddha teach us the real way to live in a very difficult and dimensional life besides getting in tune with your inner-self and feeling happy? Jesus lived a life that was perfect and completely in connection with God.

I believe that being kind is a better way to live.

I believe forgiving people is a better way to live.

I believe having compassion is a better way to live.

I believe always pursuing peace is a better way to live.

I believe being completely honest with who you are, is the better way to live.

These are the teachings of Jesus. Following Jesus is the BEST possible way for a person to live.

Every day you and I try to line ourselves to how things really are; not how they might be.

Jesus calls us to live in the way of losing your life in EVERY situation. If you think you can live in the way daily, then I would suggest you become a follower of Jesus. If not, I deeply advise you not to claim yourself as a Christian. If you label yourself as being Christ-like and not willing to live in the better way of life, you will do more damage and destroy an already declining image of Christianity.

Needless to say this student was taken off guard and said he needed to hear this because he had a deep misunderstanding of what is means to be a Christian and be a part of the Christianity movement. He will definitely be back next week as we explore the topic of: Is Christianity Really Worth Believing?

Teaching Topic For Jr High or Sr High

Your Life Is Not That Bad

Illustration// Life Without Limbs

Biblical Text//Luke 6.5-11

Central Point// The Bigger things stay, while the small things come and go.

Summary//

The Pharisees are too worried about keeping to the Sabbath, than restoring someone’s hand. Jesus moves past the rules and regulations to emphasis the bigger things in life. Jesus believes that healing takes priority than keeping the Sabbath.

The Small things in our life are……gossip, drama, petty fights with friends and parents, homework, you not feeling good or feeling bored, you whining about a bad grade on your biology test, you upset that your caramel frap from Starbucks did not have enough whip cream, and that your brother ate all of the Captain Crunch this morning.

The Big things in our life are……God, friends and family, your house, the fact you have clothes and food every day. AND, the fact you have all of your limbs.

The problem is that we put the small things over the big things.

We live our life according to the small things, not to the big things. We think if we have no problems in the small things area, we are good to go. Basically if you had no problems in your small things area, your life would be awesome. Only if you got unlimited allowance and Wii time your life would be perfect.

If I was able to fix all your problems, your life probably would not get any better.

The older you get, the small things get harder and harder. We need to learn how to handle the drama, the petty fights while living in view of what really matters.

You think your life now is tough, wait until you have bills, school, car and house payment, and other people to feed and take care of.

To be honest, our lives are really not that bad—we just need to focus on the bigger perspective. In the heat of the moment, we need to zoom out. We need to focus on the bigger things of life.

Once you get the bigger picture, the small things do not matter at the end of the day. At the end of the day the relationships that are close to us really do matter.