I recently heard someone described as having “too much Christianity”. While I wasn’t part of the entire conversation, it was clear by the speaker’s tone of voice that the “too much Christianity” person had expressed a way of life that was offensive to their rational, sensible Christian mind.

So are there categories of Christianity? No. Christianity must be one. How about Some Christianity…Enough Christianity…Too Much Christianity? Who defines the standard for each category? Why do we even need categories?

That got me to thinking about who Jesus was and what He said. He was outrageously offensive to the Jewish leaders and scholars of His day, because His message was not the standard they believed was properly Jewish.

So I decided to read the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew chapters 5-7) because it’s a clear presentation of the attitudes and behaviors Jesus promoted. Here’s a summary:

5:1-12:  Kingdom people are described as poor in spirit, mourners, meek, hungering and thirsting for righteousness, merciful, pure in heart, peacemakers and “persecuted for righteousness sake”. 

5:13-16:  Be salt and light…live so “people will see your good deeds and give honor to your Father in heaven.”

5:21-26 Anger is equal to murder…insults and name calling are condemned…attempts at reconciliation and honest admissions of wrongdoing are required.

5:27-37 Adultery is a sin of the heart and requires drastic remedies. Divorce is allowed for immorality only. Oaths as sworn by Jewish people in that time are forbidden. A simple Yes or No is sufficient, because anything more “is from the evil one.”.

5:38-48 Retaliation for a wrong done is now unacceptable: turn the other cheek; if someone wants your shirt, give him your coat too; if someone forces you to walk a mile, walk two. It’s a matter of the heart – love your enemies and pray for them.

Chapter 6 covers giving, prayer, fasting, accumulating valuables and wealth on earth. Don’t worry about anything – God knows what you need and will provide everything you need.

Chapter 7: Do not judge – the standard of judgment you use against another will be used against you. Jesus’ followers are to actively and persistently ask and seek God for their needs. Our heavenly Father gives better things to us than any earthly father ever could.

Jesus acknowledges that the way He is proposing is a narrow path leading through a narrow gate…”the way is difficult that leads to life, and there are few who find it.”  He gives a simple way to discern who is walking the narrow path of life…look at the “fruit” in their lives. “Every good tree bears good fruit.” And then explains good fruit comes by hearing and doing the words He speaks.

These chapters do not give us a checklist to use to determine how well someone is living the “Christian lifestyle” because a “Christian lifestyle” is not the goal.

Jesus was not talking about what to DO to be “saved”, but how to BE: hearts overflowing with love for Him, our Father in heaven, and the Holy Spirit who comes to reside in us when we surrender our life to the Lord (John 14:15-21).

The entire New Testament is the love story of those who left the way of life they knew and committed to follow Jesus because they recognized He is The Way, The Truth, and The Life (John 14:6).

Radical changes.  Extravagant love.   Unconditional devotion…”too much Christianity”?

Jesus affirmed that we are to love God with ALL our heart, soul, mind and strength (Mark 12:28-34), so is it even possible to be too much of anything God has said He will help us become?

Victoria Van Couvering is part of the women’s discipleship team at Craig Christian Church and is co-leader of the Constitutional Citizenship Initiative. You can contact her at victoria_van_c@yahoo.com