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I observe the difference between religion and faith as what you DO as opposed to what you BELIEVE.
In that book, Jesus , himself, said “the letter of the law (religion) kills, but the spirit of the law (faith) gives life.” Yet it says “not one jot nor tittle shall pass away.” It says to me that faith should involve everything I do, and I should remember what the rules might be, but it also leaves room for me to be a human man.
My personal hero out of that book, next to God, would be the fictional character that Jesus spoke of as the “Priest and Publican” parable.
I identify with the publican.
A guy who works for the “enemy government” because it’s the only job he can get, and his people, family and Everyone hates and detests him because he does. He’s under mandate to take care of his family, (find the “worse than a thief” reference) yet he has no help, and even the priest puts him down.
He stands , (and I would think, in the circumstances) his fists are clenched, his teeth are gritted, and he’s here to speak not to the priest, but directly to the One in charge.
The priest is claiming rights due to position and finishing easy tasks.
The Publican works his butt off, and he’s hated for it. He’s feeling like a failure with no way out (sound familiar to all the add people?) and yet he busts it trying. He has his pride that he feels entitled to, because he DOES try, and so, he cannot look down. He feels he falls far to short of the goal (sound familiar again?), so he cannot look up in pride, but beats himself in frustration and anger, and he’s not just asking for that forgiveness, he’s demanding it as tha wages for his effort. I would think he’s a little pissed off. Yet he knows he’s dealing with the Boss here, and as the created , he addresses his creator with respect for what He’s capable of. Yet, the seething…
And because of his humility, and his willingness to speak to the boss and keep trying, not his efforts, it says that he is vindicated. Not because of his religion, but because of his faith alone. And the priest is over in the corner bragging about himself, and is not mentioned in that vindication.
I have felt like that. And I know that anger and frustration. And that’s why that unnamed guy is my hero. He did it right.
- This reply was modified 6 years, 6 months ago by harry1.