In my previous article, I tried to make a case for what constitutes authentic orthodox Christianity—faith expressed in many ways by many denominations yet sharing in one common belief, present in one holy, catholic, and apostolic Church. As important as that is, it is not sufficient. Faith affirmed in our religious services must be lived out in daily life, and nothing reveals more truthfully what we believe than the words we use in everyday conversation.
Most of the words we speak each day serve a utilitarian purpose. We use them to communicate the ordinary necessities of life—at home, at school, at work, and in our communities. There is nothing particularly sacred about most of it, yet the way in which we use those words—the tone we embed in them—bears sacred weight. They reveal much about our beliefs, attitudes, and behavior.
Following in the way of Jesus Christ, if that phrase is to mean anything, is more difficult than we often think, especially when it comes to the words we use. Words have enormous influence on what we believe and what we do. As the Apostle James observed:
“Anyone who makes no mistakes in speaking is perfect, able to keep the whole body in check with a bridle. If we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we guide their whole bodies. Or look at ships: though they are so large that it takes strong winds to drive them, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great exploits.
How great a forest is set ablaze by a small fire! And the tongue is a fire… With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse those made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this ought not to be so.”
(James 3:2–10)
None of us get it right all the time, but we are commanded to keep working on it. Yet some who claim the name of Christ don’t even try. They use words intended to humiliate and degrade, inciting hatred of others with little regard for the violence that follows. It is more than embarrassing—it is an offense against God and everything Jesus lived and died for. It betrays the very heart of the Christian faith and makes a mockery of denominations and congregations striving to live into the way of life God prescribed in Christ Jesus.
“I tell you, on the day of judgment you will have to give an account for every careless word you utter; for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”
(Matthew 12:36–37)
Television, streaming services, and social media are awash with provocateurs stoking fear that the United States is no longer a “Christian nation.” It never was. It has been a nation in which nominal Christianity was the dominant religion—a shallow one at that—often serving more as emotional balm for anxious souls than as a call to follow the path of Jesus. Too often it has blamed every hardship on some vulnerable population said to be the enemy of all that is good and proper. Few of us have escaped that trap, yet most, I hope, try to repent and make amends. Still, too many revel in religious scapegoating, claiming to be “biblical” even as they desecrate the teachings of Jesus and the apostles.
“Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only what is useful for building up, as there is need, so your words may give grace to those who hear. Put away all bitterness, wrath, anger, wrangling, and slander, together with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you.”
(Ephesians 4:29–32)
There is a universal stumbling block we must overcome in following Christ in our daily lives: the cultural formation that shapes us from childhood. Every generation inherits norms, attitudes, and behaviors that give society stability, but too often these norms are given the authority of Holy Scripture, supported by verses taken out of context as proof texts. They have been used to justify prejudices and injustices that oppress others and deny them the privileges we claim for ourselves.
Each Christian must test whether our assumptions about what is sinful or objectionable to God align with the commandments to love—and with the apostles’ teaching about living in the way of Jesus.
“Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good… Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them… Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all… If your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink… Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
(Romans 12:9–21)
Action movies rarely deviate from plots of revenge that promise justice. It can be uncomfortably satisfying to see the “bad guys” get what they deserve—perhaps because it satisfies our own grudges. Our current president promised to be a person of retribution and has made good on that promise, seeking revenge on those who held him accountable or disagreed with him. Taken together, popular entertainment and political rhetoric are normalizing personal revenge as acceptable social behavior. As James wrote, “My brothers and sisters, this ought not to be so.”
Vengeance belongs to God alone. It is, curiously, a vengeance whose purpose is to save, not to condemn. How that works out is God’s business, not ours. Our duty is to seek justice fairly and humbly, knowing that it will always be imperfect. History is full of both the best and worst examples of human justice; we are obligated to abolish the worst and pursue the best.
“By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control… Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.”
(Galatians 5:22–24)
To “crucify the flesh” does not mean abolishing passion or desire but keeping them under control. Passion becomes destructive when it turns obsessive and begins to control us; desire becomes sinful when it displaces what is necessary, right, and good. To crucify our passions and desires is to bring them into harmony with the way of Christ’s love.
“The wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace for those who make peace.”
(James 3:17–18)
Authentic orthodox Christianity is manifested in persons and communities committed to living the way of Christ’s love as best they can, given their human limitations and frequent stumbles. They are marked by humility—by the willingness to confront their failures, renew their efforts, and rely on God’s help. Self-righteousness has no place among them.
What makes them authentic is their disciplined intention to measure themselves by God’s commandments to love—and to be honest about what that measurement reveals. Their authenticity is certified not by perfection, but by perseverance: perseverance in showing love to others, even when criticized, persecuted, or despised.