The Social Principles of JesusRauschenbusch, Walter
Religion
The Social Principles of Jesus
Rauschenbusch, Walter
Christian ethics; Christian sociology; Jesus Christ -- Teachings
Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the
kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father who is
in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, did we not
prophesy by thy name, and by thy name cast out demons, and by thy
name do many mighty works? And then will I profess unto them, I
never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Every one therefore that heareth these words of mine, and doeth
them, shall be likened unto a wise man, who built his house upon
the rock: and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the
winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was
founded upon the rock. And every one that heareth these words of
mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, who
built his house upon the sand: and the rain descended, and the
floods came, and the winds blew, and smote upon that house; and it
fell: and great was the fall thereof.—Matt. 7:21-27.
Jesus evidently felt deeply the emptiness and futility of much of the
religious talk. He was interested only in those emotions and professions
which could get themselves translated into character and action. Words
have always been the bane of religion as well as its vehicle. Religious
emotion has enormous motive force, but it is the easiest thing in the
world for it to sizzle away in high professions and wordy prayers. In that
case it is a substitute and counterfeit, and a damage to the Reign of God
among men.
How about our own religious talk?
Would it be better, then, to give up preaching and public prayer?
_What has the utterance of religion done for us?_
Fourth Day: This Camel Passed Through
And he entered and was passing through Jericho. And behold, a man
called by name Zacchæus; and he was a chief publican, and he was
rich. And he sought to see Jesus who he was; and could not for the
crowd, because he was little of stature. And he ran on before, and
climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass
that way. And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and said
unto him, Zacchæus, make haste, and come down; for to-day I must
abide at thy house. And he made haste, and came down, and received
him joyfully. And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, He
is gone in to lodge with a man that is a sinner. And Zacchæus
stood, and said unto the Lord, Behold, Lord, the half of my goods
I give to the poor; and if I have wrongfully exacted aught of any
man, I restore fourfold. And Jesus said unto him, To-day is
salvation come to this house, forasmuch as he also is a son of
Abraham. For the Son of man came to seek and to save that which
was lost.—Luke 19:1-10.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account