Does the study of Jesus’ sayings run parallel to Psych 101? Was the central figure of Christianity trying, sometimes unsuccessfully, to teach his followers get their own minds in order before attempting to spread the “good news” to others and tell them how to live? And, if that were the case, how much of that message survives among modern-day Christians?
Let’s sample just a few of his best-known pronouncements, starting with what he said were the two greatest commandments of all:
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your mind, and with all your strength. And you shall love your neighbor as yourself. There are no other commandments greater than these.”
Let’s break this down. The first great commandment is essentially telling you to use your heart AND your mind, and to take action on your convictions. In other words, get engaged rather than remain passive, and don’t just follow blindly what other people tell you. Unfortunately, far too many modern-day Christians fail on this commandment, sitting on their sofa and unquestionably absorbing whatever the rich and photogenic televangelist of the day says.
And many of those who do attempt to follow the first great commandment faithfully in all three of those aspects still fall short because they ignore or misinterpret the second great commandment:
Love your neighbor as yourself. Most fail to realize that, first, they must learn to love themselves. The vast majority of us humans harbor some degree of hidden insecurity or self-hatred. We try to hide our own weaknesses by over-compensating in other areas, often becoming belligerent or too focused on obtaining riches or power. Rather than build ourselves up, we belittle others to make ourselves look better by comparison. If someone tries to “love his neighbor” while at the same time projecting his own insecurities onto that neighbor, the result ain’t often pretty. Unintended consequences can spoil even the best intentions. But if that person first learns to accept his own imperfections and love himself anyway, then it is much easier for him to love his neighbor in the manner the commandment intends.
This is closely related to other of Jesus’ statements. “Do not judge, and you will not be judged… Why do you see the speck in your brother’s eye and never notice the log in your own?” Once again, stop complaining about other people’s faults and concentrate on improving yourself.
Unfortunately, a very large number of my fellow Christians have made it their mission to go about pointing out the evils and flaws in other people’s characters, but utterly flunk on honest self-assessment. Even Jesus is quoted in the Gospels calling such people hypocrites, and they give the faith a bad name.
When we think of Christians today, we often picture the stereotype of the Bible-thumping street preacher (or, more likely, the TV televangelist) calling bystanders a brood of vipers, to borrow John the Baptist’s phrase. But try to feel sympathy for such Christians, who still have, ahem, room to grow in their faith. Lots of room. They will get better eventually.
In the meantime, learn to love yourself with all your faults. Improve but don’t beat yourself up, and especially don’t beat up people who have the same shortcomings as yourself. That is the second great commandment.
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