On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” – Luke 10:25

Today’s Scripture Reading (September 16, 2014): Luke 10

In Islamic thought, salvation is tied to the Five Pillars of Islamic practice. The five pillars are 1) a confession that Allah is the only God and that Muhammad is his prophet, 2) the practice of consistently performing the five daily prayers, 3) Fasting throughout the month of Ramadan (the ninth month of the 354-355 day Islamic Lunar Calendar), 4) developing a practice of giving to the poor, and 5) making a pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in your life – providing that you can afford it. With these practices a follower of Allah can hope (Allah always casts the deciding vote on whether a soul will end up in heaven or hell) that when death comes, as it always does, then the soul will eagerly anticipate meeting God – and eternal life is gained.

But the practices often cause Christians to look down on our Islamic brothers and sisters because of what we see as being a misunderstanding that eternal life is a gift, and not something that can be earned. Yet at the same time we seem to develop our own pillars of actions designed to please God. Maybe it is following the Ten Commandments, or consistent church attendance, or even adopting the fourth Islamic Pillar of giving to the poor. But in the end all we have really done is developed our own Pillars of Christian Practice aimed at gaining favor from God.

This is really the question that this expert in the law has in mind. And the key is that this is an expert in the law. He has studied the rules and regulations of the Law of Moses and he knows the ins and outs of the regulations. What he needs Jesus to do is confirm, because he already knows, that there are practices that needs to be followed in order to please God – that there are Pillars of the Faith.

The expert is in favor with these pillars being the same laws that Jesus agreed were the basis for all of the Laws of Moses – love God and love your neighbour. These are the two pillars of the faith and the basis for all of the Law. But he still wants it defined just a little more. What actions are really necessary to please God?

But Jesus is not willing to play the game. There are no practices that can be performed. There are only practices that proceed from our character. And that is all that really matters to God. And when your character reflects the practices of God, it doesn’t matter who your neighbor is. Only then is God truly honored.    

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Luke 12