the word

Behold all mortal sinners, for I speak from the one true book, the word of God as relayed through various freelance writers and edited by generations of scholars on behalf of the ruling classes. I bring to you the first bible passage that has ever actually touched me. I have no idea why, on further reads it seems all too much like a fatalistic view of the world and one which preserves the status quo. So this is a passage I should in fact resent, yet the first time I read it struck something deep within me. I am now doing my best to cover up whatever that was for fear it should ever come to the surface and begin to cloud my judgement once more. So, without further ado, here is some chap called Roman and his twelfth passage.

Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man's gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.

I think what is most appealing is its sense of unity and belonging. My favourite line in fact is the second sentence, although I see it almost as a call to explore all religious doctrines whilst still preserving an open mind. I doubt that is what was intended. That is the beauty of the Bible I suppose, everyone sees something different. One man will build water wells in Africa while another will persecute homosexuals, each equally correct in their interpretation.