"I Guess We’ll See When We Get to Heaven"
We live in divided times, especially for those of us who call ourselves “Christian.” But what does that really mean?
I recently asked a Jesus-centered friend how she can support certain Christian voices whose beliefs, at least to me, seem far out of step with Jesus’s core message of love and acceptance. She paused, then gave me an answer that felt gracious and wise. Smiling, she said, “We’re friends, and I’m grateful you asked me to share what I believe. It’s okay that we don’t agree. I guess we’ll just have to see when we get to heaven.”
Her response, while gracious, did not help me understand how Christians can be so divided about what the Gospel means for our lives and for our society.
Jesus used many teaching methods: parables or stories (like the Prodigal Son and the Good Samaritan), acts of healing and compassion (such as miracles), and preaching.
Here are some of Jesus’s core teachings that I use as a framework for discerning what to support and what to reject.
The Greatest Commandment
In Matthew 22, Jesus is clear about what is most important:
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5–7)
In this early teaching Jesus lays out the values of God’s Kingdom. Here are highlights. What do we recognize in ourselves...in others?
The Beatitudes
• “Blessed are the poor in spirit” - The humble, those who recognize their need for God.
• “Blessed are those who mourn”- Those grieving under sin and suffering.
• “Blessed are the meek” - The gentle, teachable, non-violent.
• “Blessed are those hungering and thirsting for righteousness/justice.” - Justice as in treating people fairly, rights respected, and wrongs addressed.
• “Blessed are the merciful” - Those who show compassion.
• “Blessed are the pure in heart” - Those who are sincere, putting God first.
• “Blessed are the peacemakers” - Those seeking peace and harmony, not conflict.
• “Blessed are those persecuted for righteousness’ sake” - Those staying faithful to God’s will, even when it brings opposition.
Prayer & Devotion
• “When you pray, go into your room…” - Pray sincerely, not for show.
• “Do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing…” - Give quietly, not boastfully.
Love, Mercy, and Integrity
• “First be reconciled with your brother (and sister).” - Heal relationships before offering worship.
• “Do not resist an evildoer with violence… turn the other cheek also.” - In Jesus’s day, slapping someone’s cheek was intended as an insult, not an assault. Refuse the cycle of pride-driven retaliation.
• “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” - Radical love that mirrors God’s mercy for us.
• “Judge not, lest you be judged… first take the log out of your own eye.” - Look in the mirror before judging others. Saint Paul adds to this, saying that judgment is God’s job, not ours.
• “Let your word be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No.” - Be trustworthy and straightforward in word and deed.
• The Golden Rule: “Do to others what you would have them do to you.”
This is Jesus’s overarching command to show kindness, compassion, fairness, forgiveness, inclusion, love and understanding.
Treasure, Trust, and Worry
• “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” - What we value most reveals our priorities.
• “You cannot serve both God and wealth.” - Trust God, not riches.
• “Do not be anxious for your life.” - Trust God, He knows our needs.
The Least of These
This passage demonstrates that we must care for each other, especially the least among us. Jesus says:
• “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” And “Truly I tell you, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.” (Matthew 25)
Jesus had several core teachings: He talked about the high cost of following Him, our call to live according to His values, such as those laid out above, and our need for repentance when we fall short. He showed us how to live with Him for eternity, through faith, and that we are called to show kindness, empathy, love, acceptance, and generosity to everyone in this life- especially the least among us.
Jesus extended His grace beyond human borders and tribes—to Samaritans, Gentiles, to anyone with faith, regardless of their social position, race, or place of birth. He did not disregard the faithless either- He reached out to them especially.
These are Jesus’s words, as recorded in Scripture. I believe these are His core values, but I encourage you to explore for yourself.
Whatever divisions we face as Americans, may the words of Jesus—His divine gift to us—save us in this life and in the next.
Song Pairing: Weeping Time
When I was in Savannah, Georgia last year I walked along the river past a plaque that commemorated “The Weeping Time,” when hundreds of slave families were torn apart and sold. Today we see history repeating itself as immigrant families, “the least of these,” also are torn apart without regard for them as children of God. Until next time stay safe, be brave and keep walking in the light.