Have you had people approach you with suggestions that they claimed were good for you, but you suspected the presentation was because it was good for them? Sales pitches are easy to recognize. But some things are good for both. Do you connect people together, forming a bond between those who also have a bond with you? A good friendship benefits all who are involved. I commend unity between brothers. How does this come about? It doesn’t happen without a connection, and someone has to make the bond. Blessed are those who bring about the unity of brothers. This can be you.

Have you heard the expression that you shouldn’t sweat the small stuff, and it is all small stuff? This is a glib and trite expression of a spiritual truth. It is not all small stuff. Having said that, I did tell those who would follow me they should not worry about tomorrow, or what to wear or eat or drink, because the body was more than raiment, and their Father in heaven knew they had need of these things and would provide them. Even with my simple illustrations I was always pointing my audience to the transcendent Kingdom of God.

Do you divide activities between those that are sinful and those that are not? How do you make the distinction? Is this something that can be reduced to a list? Perhaps that is too strict and too simple at the same time. Is this what you refer to as legalism? Perhaps a better approach would be to evaluate activities by criteria. Does some activity make you more caring and considerate of others, more active and engaged in your own pursuits, and more aware of the Kingdom of God within and around you? You should do more of this. Does it have the opposite effect? You should do less.

Do you think of family as central to the practice of your faith? How large is your family? What did I have to say about family? When I was informed that my family was at hand, I said that my family were those who did the will of God. This is hardly an affirmation of blood relations. Throughout history family ties have been a strong distinction for acceptance, and by implication, rejection of those who are without. This is the original basis of tribalism that has served to create divisions among people.