The veneer of civility

The veneer of civility. It's a term I've come up with to describe what I see in the lives of almost everyone. We all figure out how to get along as long as our personal needs, hopes and dreams are met, but when we sense that others are not meeting our needs then the veneer suddenly meets reality and watch out! I'm amazed at how quickly we change from nice and sweet to angry, mean and cruel in a moment of time. We all know this experience as the victim or the victimizer. This veneer is much thinner than most of us realize. Civilization only works when we maintain the veneer....but be careful...if this unwritten social contract of our culture is broken then watch your back.

But here is a contrast to our "veneer of civility" offered by Jesus. It's so different from what we know and experience that it's hard to imagine what it might look like if we really lived it out. Here is his invitation to a new way to live, a new way to interact.....it hints at the kingdom that is even now forming,

"Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you. "If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' lend to 'sinners,' expecting to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful. "Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."

As I read his words I'm enchanted by the ideas he suggests. It's hard to imagine a culture that would live this out. A community that would be merciful as a first response. A people that wouldn't judge. A group of people whose natural response is forgiveness. A culture where giving to others is such a part of life that we are more concerned for others than we are for ourselves. One day that world will be normal. Today there are glimpses of it around us. Even now people are beginning to live out this new kind of life. We only see it on occasion, only for a moment, but what a wonderful kingdom it will be when this is normal everyday life.