Biblical ‘Structure’
Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20
Happy New Year! As someone who thrives on structure, I've always organized my life similarly. In my kitchen, for instance, I know exactly where everything is, from measuring cups to bowls. This need for order extends to my faith, which I've traditionally built on a structured understanding of God as the ultimate authority.
However, reading Matthew 28:18-20 has challenged my structured approach. While it is reasonable to believe that our lives should be structured to please God, I have realized that my rigid beliefs sometimes affected how I treated others, especially those who weren't like me or other Christians. This rigidity also influenced my writing, where I focused on literal interpretations of scripture without considering the heart of God or empathy.
My marriage, which thrives despite its lack of structure, differs greatly with my journey of faith. For the past 4-5 years, I have wrestled with whether I've truly followed God's word by loving others as Jesus would. Jesus' teachings are sovereign, and while they should align with structured beliefs, I've struggled when His love contradicted my rigid system.
So, for the last 4-5 years, the fight has raged within. Did I not follow God’s word by loving others as Jesus would?
Jesus’ teachings are sovereign in all circumstances. The prior question seems like they should fit together like peanut butter and jelly (for the younger generation, you do not know what you’re missing). I find myself conflicted when people disassociate from others, claiming it aligns with God's word. A common example is from Leviticus, which states, “Anyone who injures another person must be dealt with according to the injury inflicted— a fracture for a fracture, an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. Whatever anyone does to injure another person must be paid back in kind.” (Leviticus 24:19-20) However, in Matthew 5:38-39, Jesus teaches, “You have heard the law that says the punishment must match the injury: ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth. But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also.”
This is normally where I would say something very easy-going like the point here is not to pick a side. However, choosing Jesus is the point. These verses make it clear that we are to follow Jesus Christ's words. He clarifies earlier in Matthew, “Don’t misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose.” (Matthew 5:17) He is nit suggesting we ignore what was written; rather, He emphasizes living by and teaching these principles. It's not about judging or labeling others but recognizing that Jesus covers our shortcomings and encourages us to strive to be more like Him.
When faced with a choice between Old Testament teachings and Jesus’ teachings, we should always prioritize the latter. This does not mean we shouldn't pause to reflect and seek understanding, but it does mean we should grow from these experiences to adopt a Christ-like approach. For me, this means my beliefs need to be flexible, allowing growth in Christ rather than remaining rigid. It involves asking questions when conflicted and trusting Jesus to guide my heart to align with His teachings. This is my New Year's pledge: to be more open to what Christ places on my heart and to dismantle structures that do not align with His teachings. What structure are you being constrained by in your walk of faith? How will you act when conflicted by the law of God vs. the love of God? My prayer is that we resolve to follow Jesus more closely when confronted with structural beliefs that do not match His. Amen.