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What Jesus taught, vs what the Christian Right preaches [1]

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Date: 2025-09-18

This is absolutely not meant to be a proselytizing Christian sermon, but a response to so many on the Right who claim to be “Christian” while spreading hate and lies. I am not particularly religious. I just happen to find value in the teachings the Christian Bible credits to Jesus of Nazareth, and am keenly aware of the stark contrast with what many “Christians” on the Right say and do.

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I am flabbergasted by people who claim to be “Christian” or to “believe in Jesus,” but who endlessly speak hateful words and show little interest in heeding Jesus' teachings — powerful teachings, regardless of your own religion or approach to spirituality, if any:

Love God * fully — with heart, soul, mind, and strength.

fully — with heart, soul, mind, and strength. Love your neighbor as yourself — extend compassion and kindness.

Love your enemies — forgive, pray for, and do good to those who oppose you.

The Kingdom of God — God’s rule is near, marked by justice, mercy, humility, and reversal of worldly values.

Blessings for the humble and poor in spirit (“poor in spirit”: i.e., recognizing one’s spiritual neediness).

Righteousness from the heart — inner motives matter more than external rule-keeping.

Forgiveness and mercy — as God forgives, so must people forgive one another.

Faith and trust in God — rely on God rather than wealth or status.

Humility and service — greatness comes from serving others.

Repentance and transformation — turn from sin (whatever alienates the heart and mind from God) and live aligned with God’s loving nature.

Care for the vulnerable — concern for the poor, sick, oppressed, and marginalized.

Reject hypocrisy and pride — warnings against religious pretense and self-righteousness.

Peace and nonviolence — “turn the other cheek,” “blessed are the peacemakers.”

Eternal life and salvation** — promised to those who believe, repent, and follow him.

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That first one comes from Deuteronomy 6:5 — “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.” Jesus repeats this as the greatest commandment (Matthew 22:37, Mark 12:30, Luke 10:27).

Its practical meaning is about total devotion to God, engaging every dimension of who we are.

Broken down:

Heart — Your inner life, desires, and affections.

Practical meaning: Order your loves so that God is first. For example, choose kindness, compassion, and forgiveness because you love God more than resentment or self-interest.

Soul — Your whole being, identity, and life force.

Practical meaning: Let your relationship with God shape your purpose. Dedicate your life’s direction to serving Him, not just a few isolated actions.

Mind — Thoughts, understanding, and reasoning.

Practical meaning: Use your intellect to know God better—through Scripture, study, reflection—and align your thinking with truth and wisdom rather than cynicism, lies, or self-deception.

Strength — Your physical capacity, energy, and resources.

Practical meaning: Live out your love of God in concrete actions—through service, discipline, generosity, and perseverance. Use your body and energy for good, not just for comfort or selfish pursuits.

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* I understand “God” differently than many “Christians” might — not as a stern, male, law-giving being, separate from ourselves, but as the Original Consciousness, Intelligence, Will, Love, and Creative Force in which we and all of creation are immersed — we and everything are a part of God. To me, serving God means holding attitudes and acting in ways that serve that loving, creating force, truly serve us, and elevate us and those around us.

** I also understand “eternal life” and “salvation” differently than many “Christians” might. Eternal life is now and at all times, because eternity is outside of time. Heaven and hell are also now and at all times — we can have either one in an instant by what we choose to think, say and do.

Salvation is the minute-by-minute availability of rescue from our own hateful, self-deprecating, or limiting thoughts and attitudes. Jesus showed us that we are powerful, that the “Kingdom of God” lives within us if we choose it, and that we can save or rescue ourselves from hell-in-the-present by “repenting,” that is to say, changing our minds, changing our thoughts, changing our hearts.

So much of what Jesus taught is not pie-in-the-sky religiosity, not condemnation, not adherence to oppressive rules, not obediance to twisted religious fanatics, but down-to-Earth practical advice for being at peace.

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