Fire (No Brimstone) - Jesus comes calling anyone and everyone, especially those whom others leave out, kick out, reject, ignore, overlook, judge, and condemn. To each Jesus says, "Follow me." Jesus doesn’t say believe the right list of doctrines. Jesus doesn’t ask for intellectual assent to the right dogma. Jesus says, “I’m walking this way. Come along!” Along the way, Jesus shows people compassion and invites us to do the same. God is creating a world full of forgiveness in cultures that demand adherence to the tribal party line. God wants mercy more than sacrifice. This is such a reframe of traditional religion and spirituality. Religion has demanded purity and wags its finger at us for our imperfection. Jesus-centered faith isn’t worried about unholiness, sin, or impurity - it’s all just smoke from the fire. Religion condemns with hell-fire and brimstone. Jesus offers us a fire and fuel of Spirit, no brimstone added! Scripture: Matthew 9:9-13
