"If you want to have eternal life, give everything you have to the poor." This is one of Jesus' statements that people quickly reinterpret. Some point out that private property could not have been abolished since Jesus has rich followers (Martha, Mary, Lazarus), therefore Jesus could not have meant this literally. Some also point out that Jesus was just letting the rich young ruler know that he could not have eternal life without him.Those are valid points.

     However, could it be that in our reinterpretations, we may be guilty of assuaging our own souls or the souls of those who struggle with sin? Could we be inadvertently saying, "your lifestyte is OK, you don't have to worry about this passage (or other passages), and all you have do is believe in Jesus"? If those passages don't mean anything for those who believe, then what is the purpose of God sending his Spirit to indwell his people? Is it optional to walk in the Spirit? Or are there eternal ramifications for not walking in the Spirit? Does God's agenda only consist of making us right with him? Or is he concerned about transforming us and our communities? 

     As we approach the New Year, I would guess that some people's resolutions would be to follow the bible more. Although I commend the intent to follow God's word closely, the intent of God's word, through God's Spirit, is to convict people of sin. The word of God can do that only if we let the full force of its demands bring us into a point of fearing for our souls. 

      Jesus commended the tax collector who at the end of the day says "Forgive me for I am a sinner". The tax collector looks at himself and repents, putting himself at the hands of God. He is the one justified in God's sight. We condemn the pharisee for his self-righteousness, basically saying that he has followed God's commands, therefore he is righteous. However, aren't we guilty of righteousness through reinterpretation when we try to assuage our conciences, saying that our lack of generosity, for example, is OK? 

    This New Year, I challenge all of us to stop thinking of following the bible, but in developing a repentant heart, mindful that the bible does not just command proper actions but also proper emotions. If you focus on following the letter of the bible, you will reinterpret the commands of the bible to make it easier to follow, or just stop trying. A repentant heart will not just change our relationship with God, but also with other people. Instead of being defensive and feeling entitled to people's "respect", we would become thankful for the grace we receive every moment and approach others with humility.

    Only a repentant heart can look at the birth of Jesus as good news. The heart that tries to find loopholes by reinterpreting God's word so as not to disturb itself will not fully understand the full force of the good news that Jesus Christ is born. As the demands of God's standards threaten our souls, Jesus is the one who took the full force of that threat. If the soul does not feel the threat, then it would also not feel the relief that the gospel brings. A repentant soul is a blessed soul.