Last weekend we finished our KCLC Radio Sermon series. We ended with the hit, “We Are the World.”

Although the song was written in 1985, it conveys a spiritual truth contained within scriptures. This truth reflects the heart and wisdom with God.

Here is that truth: Our personal well-being, our personal futures are tied to the rest of humanity.

We are created to be in community because it is good for us. Life is better when we are in relationship. When we spurn that gift of community, we isolate ourselves from our own security and well-being.

We love to differentiate ourselves from others. We want to be unique and special, just like everyone else. There is nothing wrong with that up until the point we tear down others for not being or believing the same as us.

Jesus once prayed for you regarding this very topic. At the Last Supper, Jesus prayed for us. (I am still amazed that Jesus actually prayed for us during his ministry.)

This is what Jesus prayed…

“My prayer is not for the disciples alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message (all of us), that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. John 17:20-21

Jesus prayed for our unity. Jesus prayed that we would embrace each other despite our differences and the difference of opinion.

This is easily accomplished. IF we keep Jesus and his teachings as the primary thing in our lives.

All of us (at times) put people and positions ahead of the love Jesus and the love of our neighbor. When that happens, community breaks down and your own well-being is compromised.

When we come together as one, under the name and banner of Jesus, we are made complete.

Paul tells the church in Philippi this very thing.

If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. Philippians 2:1-2

We are being called to let go of the hate, stop drawing lines of separation and put Jesus first in all things. Let’s put unity back into our community.

God bless,
Pr. Ben

Jesus said this to Nicodemus the Pharisee,

I tell you the truth, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? John 3:11-12

Jesus was of course talking about horizontal and vertical learning and living. I talked about this in my sermon recently. (Click here to listen to that message.)

Jesus spoke about this very thing almost 2000 years ago. Let me just say, if Jesus sees it as an issue, we need to be on guard and fully informed.

Here is the essence of what I said about it in my sermon.

Most of the world lives horizontally. What do I mean by that? Taking life as it comes and only seeing what’s right in front of you. We all do it to some degree.

We build relationships with others at this level. We sort people into categories at this level by picking and choosing who you will associate with and who you won’t.  People acquire knowledge at this level.

Naturally we surround ourselves with people we like and hold the same positions. As a result, our horizontal lifestyle becomes deep-seated.

You do this long enough—and you will suffer from confirmation bias, and not even know it.

Wikipedia defines it this way, “Confirmation bias, a phrase coined by English psychologist Peter Wason, is the tendency of people to favor information that confirms or strengthens their beliefs or values and is difficult to dislodge once affirmed.”

This is what happens when we exclusively live a horizontal life. We gather information that supports what we agree with and discount anything that might call into question our beliefs. The people we choose to spend time with reinforce what we believe with contributions from our favorite news network and personally cultivated social media follows.

Living horizontally can get in the way of the higher thing, the things of Jesus. Vertical living and learning come from above. Jesus calls us to live higher and better than the rest of the world by loving everyone. Even Jesus reminds his disciples at the Last Supper that Christians “are not of the world, even as I am not of it. Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.” John 17:16

One of the biggest obstacles to vertical living and learning are the people around us if they don’t point to Jesus in their lives. Your social circle may be all Christians, but if they never talk about their faith (but lots of other things), this can impede your walk with Jesus.

Remember what Jesus said, I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things?

Extreme horizontal living will cause you to question or ignore the more important vertical living that is found in Jesus.

Imagine a cross for a moment. It is the horizontal beam that is supported by the stronger vertical beam. That vertical bar supports the horizontal plank.

What comes from above is always better than what we conceive of from below.

Jesus puts this teaching into practice when he was pointing out how some religious leaders were living.

What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are careful to tithe even the tiniest income from your herb gardens, but you ignore the more important aspects of the law—justice, mercy, and faith. You should tithe, yes, but do not neglect the more important things. Matthew 23:23

Horizontal living is concerned with appearances. “Look at what I am doing or what I believe.” The teachers in Jesus’ day pointed to their offerings.

Vertical living is concerned with the well-being of others within the confines of relationship and building community. Therefore, concepts like justice, mercy and faith take precedence over appearances and horizontal living.

That is why when Jesus was asked what is the most important commandment, he replied, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment.” Matthew 22:37-38

First and foremost, love God and keep a vertical mindset. Keep God and the love of Jesus as the number one thing in your life. This is primary.

But Jesus highlights a second command that falls under the first. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:39-40

Vertical and horizontal living put in their proper place.

Horizontal living isn’t bad. It only becomes a detriment when we forget what comes first and we forget to love.

God bless,
Pr. Ben