Saturday, November 15, 2003

Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another.
(1 John 4.11 NRSV)

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In our US archives there is an account of two ladies from Tennessee who came before President Abraham Lincoln at the conclusion of the Civil War. They were asking for the release of their husbands held as prisoners of war at Johnson's Island. Lincoln put them off until Friday, when they came again. Again the President put them off until Saturday. At each of the interviews one of the ladies stressed to Lincoln that her husband was a religious man.

After the Saturday interview the President ordered the release of the prisoners. Then he turned to this lady and said, "You say your husband is a religious man. Tell him when you meet him, that I say I am not much of a judge of religion. In my opinion, however, the religion that sets men to rebel and fight against their government...(so that they can) eat their bread on the sweat of other men's faces, is not the sort of religion upon which people can get to heaven!"

I think Abe was a pretty good judge of religion. Any religion that tells me that I can hate or exploit or mistreat any person regardless of their race, nationality or religion is not the kind of religion upon which people can get into heaven. It's so easy to forget. Love for God, love for neighbor. They must forever be one.

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Dear God, may I love as you love me. Amen.

Ron Newhouse

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