In the pristine garden of Eden, God placed humanity, not as conquerors or exploiters, but as stewards, entrusted with the responsibility to work it and take care of it (Gen 2:15). This mandate, issued at the dawn of creation, reminds us that our relationship with the Earth is not one of exploitation but of partnership. We are called to cultivate and nurture, to protect and preserve the delicate balance of life that God has woven into the fabric of the planet.
Our families are the closest neighbors we have, and the interactions we share within our homes form the foundation of our ability to extend love, justice, and restoration into the wider world. Loving your family members can sometimes be uniquely challenging. The very intimacy that makes family so special can also make us more prone to wounding one another.
If my self-worth hinges on getting good grades, being a “good” person, or excelling in every task, what happens when I fall short? When I make a mistake, fail at a task, or simply don’t feel “special” on a given day? This performance-driven mindset is a recipe for self-condemnation.
Perceiving the kingdom of God is a combination of the Holy Spirit revealing its mysteries and an individual’s willingness to see and hear with spiritual eyes and ears. Our spirit and our minds are interconnected.
In its original meaning, righteousness meant a right relationship with the covenant of God that led to loving others as oneself and doing good in order to lead others into the same right relationship with God.
We are created “in the image of God,” reflecting divine qualities like creativity, reason, and moral capacity. This “image” isn’t about physical resemblance but about our inherent value and the responsibility to care for creation. We are given dominion over the earth, not for exploitation, but for wise stewardship and compassionate care.
In both personal and business relationships, the goal should be to find partners who share a similar vision and values. This alignment ensures that partners are moving towards the same destination. Jesus emphasized the importance of unity and common purpose in His teachings.
We may not consciously buy into the narratives presented in the media, but the emotions they evoke linger, leaving us feeling anxious, angry, or even hopeless. These emotions, even if triggered by a brief news story or social media post, can linger long after we’ve closed our laptops or put down our phones. They can seep into our subconscious, coloring our thoughts and influencing our behavior.
Focusing solely on outward actions misses the true nature of sin. We can meticulously follow rules and regulations, but if our hearts remain unchanged, we’re merely masking the problem, not addressing its root cause. This is why Jesus condemned the Pharisees for their hypocrisy. They were obsessed with external purity while neglecting the inner state of their hearts.
The purpose of emphasizing a broader understanding of sin is not to condemn or overwhelm us with guilt. It’s to remind us we all need God’s grace and a humble heart. Sin is like a disease that affects our hearts and minds, distorting our perceptions and hindering our ability to love others as God loves us.