The Nature of Things

So today's sermon at church came from Matthew 7:15-20. Batman (in Batman Begins) paraphrased this passage nicely when he said it's not who I am underneath, but what I do that defines me. Jesus used fruit, speaking to an agricultural audience. Same idea. What you do is a reflection of who you are.

So this is how these things go in my brain - something starts me down a path, such as thinking about our innate nature. And a few things happen that strengthen the idea. Then out of nowhere, it's front and center. I want to say that this train of thought started with some remarks by a radio DJ. And today was God re-emphasizing its importance.

God wants our obedience. Not so that we'll do what He says. But because the things that He asks us to do are good. When an artist paints, they put a bit of themselves into the painting. The paints, the canvas, none of that has any meaning or value. The person behind it, the painter who opened a bit of their heart, that gives a painting value.

Back to the fruit analogy. Jesus talked about good trees producing good fruit - you know, crunchy apples, juicy peaches. The kind of stuff you eat, enjoy, and it gives you energy to go do something else in return. The kind of fruit that has more of an impact than the space it occupies.

Why? Because that's its nature. When Jesus talks about our relationship with God, He always refers to our character, not our actions - "love me", "I and the Father are one", "if you love me, then you will obey", "believe". There was nothing magical or mystical about the animal sacrifices. God was teaching us about our relationship with Him. A broken relationship. They had to keep doing the sacrifices because they kept sinning.

The law only shows us what we can't do. God looks at what we can do. He sees you as the person He created you to be. A reflection of His glory. Majestic. Powerful. Good. And everything He has done, all of the trials in life, all of the crazy history of the church, was all about transforming you into the person He knows You to be. To change your nature.

Jesus wasn't telling the people to follow the rules. He was telling them that the rules aren't thing that matters. Who you are, the person you become, matters. And this is why Jesus Himself says that He came to save sinners. He knows perfectly well that I won't stop sinning just because. But He does know that one day, when it's all said and done, when He finally gathers everyone God placed in His care, the work will be done. And what God has started will finish.

When God can once again walk among us. And we reflect His nature. Then, and only then, can we live the life He has always seen for us. When our nature becomes like His nature. And who we are, what we do, will be who He is. That's my hope.