And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise.

— Luke 6:31

Multiculturalism is the presence, or support for the presence, of several distinct cultural or ethnic groups within a society. It is diversity, and the Bible teaches that God created and loves people from every culture and every ethnic group. From the beginning, God’s plan was that “I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you, all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” (Genesis 12:3). At the end of time, this picture of diversity comes to life in Revelation 7:9 where we read that there was “After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands.” God does not use culture or ethnicity as a reason to exclude people from His kingdom. He seems to delight in the diversity of people who bring Him praise. 

Paul teaches that we can continue and indulge in cultural practices that do not conflict with God’s law. He exhorts the Colossians, “So let no one judge you in food or in drink, or regarding a festival or a new moon or sabbaths.” (Colossians 2:16) He is telling them that their cultural practices of what foods they eat or the days they choose to celebrate or not celebrate are appropriate to continue and need not conform to another cultural standard. Paul admits to the Corinthians, “And to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law; to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law; to the weak, I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might, by all means, save some.” (1 Corinthians 9:20–22) Paul was an expert at taking on whatever cultural practices were necessary to effectively share the gospel. In Athens, Paul referenced the Athenians’ “own poets.” In Acts 17:28,  he writes, “For in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are also His offspring.’” These examples show that cultural differences can be celebrated and appreciated as displays of God’s creativity in the many diverse ways we glorify God. 

Universalism is the philosophical and theological concept that some ideas have universal applications. The living truth is seen as more far-reaching than the national, cultural, or religious boundaries or interpretations of that one truth. As the Rig Veda states, “Truth is one; sages call it by various names.” A community that calls itself universalist may emphasize the universal principles of most religions and inclusively accept others. Nearly all religions and moral philosophies contain the belief in the Golden Rule or the ethics of reciprocity. This falls under moral universalism, which believes that a universal ethic applies universally regardless of culture, race, sex, religion, nationality, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other distinguishing feature. The idea dates at least to the early Confucian times (551–479 BCE). The concept appears prominently in Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, Taoism, Zoroastrianism, and the rest of the world’s major religions. As part of the 1993 “Declaration Toward a Global Ethic,” 143 leaders of the world’s major faiths endorsed the Golden Rule. According to the Humanist Rabbi Greg M. Epstein, it is “a concept that essentially no religion misses entirely,” but belief in God is not necessary to endorse the Golden Rule. The English philosopher Simon Blackburn also states that the Golden Rule can be “found in some form in almost every ethical tradition.”

Romans 12:18 says, “If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.” In Romans 12:2, Paul tells his readers, “And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” No matter what religion or belief system someone has, we were all created to love all people from all cultural backgrounds. We should enjoy and embrace the diversity in this world. At the heart of Christianity, if we hate or discriminate against others, we are not doing God’s will. We must show love and acceptance as Jesus did. Ephesians 4:2-4 tells us, “With all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling.”

If we argue over non-essentials, then we are not accepting differences in people’s preferences and in what they see as sin and what they see as not being a sin. Who are we to judge our brother over the non-essentials like food, drink, days of worship, sexuality, or anything else where the Bible is silent? In Romans 14:4, Paul asks, “Who are you to judge another’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand.”  A good rule to live by is one I learned growing up in the churches of Christ:  Where the Bible is silent, so must we be. This includes LGBTQ+ relationships. Christ never mentions sexuality, and therefore, we should not be judged by others who think differently than we do. We must realize that they are not following God’s Word.

Romans 2:11 tells us, “For there is no partiality with God.” World history shows that cultures treated women like they were livestock or property, but Jesus valued women and treated them as co-heirs and co-equals, and in God’s eyes, women and men are equal before Him.  So too, believers should treat those who are poor, of a different nationality, or in any way are different from us with the same regard as God does. He is no respecter of persons; therefore, there is no partiality with God. Too many people who call themselves Christians forget this. We must learn to accept the faults of others just as God has learned to accept our imperfections. If we want to cast stones, we should be our first target because we have no right to judge anyone else but ourselves. If God accepts us, then we must learn to accept others. To fail to do so is a sin before God because He is no respecter of persons and shows no partiality between men and women, gay and straight, liberal and conservative, etc., over another, nor does God show partiality to any race or ethnicity. If we show partiality, then we are judging them, which is God’s job, not ours.

And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him. Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying:

—Matthew 5:1-2

As far as we know, only two sermons by Jesus were ever written down: The Sermon on the Mount and The Sermon on the Plain. The Sermon on the Mount is one of my favorite passages from the Bible, and I try to live my life based on its teachings. Jesus seemed to teach more through parables than through sermons. Thirty-seven parables are present in the canonical Gospels. The two sermons are to guide us in a life of discipline based on a new law of love, even to enemies, as opposed to the old law of retribution. The teachings of the Sermon on the Mount have been a key element of Christian ethics, and for centuries the sermon has acted as a fundamental recipe for the conduct of the followers of Jesus. 

In Matthew 5:14-16, Jesus says believers are “the light of the world.” We are to be as “A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” Etty Hillesum, a Dutch author of confessional letters and diaries describing both her religious awakening and the persecutions of Jewish people in Amsterdam during the German occupation, said, “If there is ever to be peace, it won’t be authentic until each individual achieves peace within [them]self, expels all feelings of hatred for a race or group of people, or better, can dominate hatred and change it into something else, maybe even into love- or is that asking too much? It’s the only solution.” There is so much hatred in the world today, much of it at the hands of “religious” groups. Whether they claim to be backed by religion or their own fears of inferiority, hate groups are the darkness of the world. If you shine light onto the darkness, what happens to the darkness? It disappears. As the light of the world, we cannot be hidden. We must shine brightly enough that darkness disappears.

Matthew 6:1-4 tells us to do good to please God: “Take heed that you do not do your charitable deeds before men, to be seen by them. Otherwise, you have no reward from your Father in heaven. Therefore, when you do a charitable deed, do not sound a trumpet before you as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory from men. Assuredly, I say to you, they have their reward. But when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly. This is especially true for gay Christians because we have to work harder to be accepted. In his book Jesus Acted Up, theologian and author Robert Goss wrote, “The Bible is a justice resource in the queer battle for Christian power/truth in two areas: (1) in our dismantling of the Bible as a homophobic/heterosexist and terrorist weapon of oppression; (2) in our reappropriating the Bible as a resource for the critical practice of justice. The texts of the Bible are critically read both as subversive and empowering practice.” 

I have to admit that in the past several years, when someone tells me they are a “Christian,” I have a visceral reaction and automatically do not trust them. Too many people who call themselves Christians are anything but, so as a gay Christian, I feel as if I have to be cautious around people who claim to be Christians because I fear they will use their religion to bludgeon me to death. That is only a slight exaggeration, as a number of so-called “Christian” leaders have called for the stoning of LGBTQ+ individuals. They judge us not based on of the teachings of Jesus but on their own prejudices and hatred of anything they do not deem “normal.” Jesus is very clear in Matthew 7:1-5 that we should not judge others, “Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me remove the speck from your eye’; and look, a plank is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.’” I realize I am guilty of judging others on their beliefs or rhetoric, but it is increasingly difficult not to judge others by their actions and deeds. 

The current Republican rhetoric and platform in the United States is the opposite of the teachings of Jesus. Matthew 7:15-20 tells us that we will know them by their fruits. Jesus says, “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Therefore, by their fruits you will know them.” If someone claims to be Christian yet votes in a way that harms others, then you know that they bear bad fruit. The greed and hatred that have taken over so many in the United States and around the world who are embracing fascist philosophies are “ravenous wolves” who will do anything to add to their riches or make sure less fortunate individuals do not do better financially than they do. In Matthew 6:24, Jesus tells us that we cannot serve God and riches simultaneously, “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.”

Life isn’t an easy road, and sometimes we have to sacrifice to do what is right. In Matthew 7:13-14, Jesus says we should, “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.” The poet and author C. JoyBell C. wrote, “I’m not in search of sanctity, sacredness, purity; these things are found after this life, not in this life; but in this life I search to be completely human: to feel, to give, to take, to laugh, to get lost, to be found, to dance, to love and to lust, to be so human.” It is not always the easiest way to live our life, but we need to trust in the Lord to know our correct path in this life so that we can enjoy life in the hereafter. We want Jesus to know us for the wonderful things we have done to help others. Jesus says in Matthew 7:21-23, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’

I will leave you with the final words of the Sermon on the Mount, “‘Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.’ And so it was, when Jesus had ended these sayings, that the people were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.” (Matthew 7:24-29) Let us follow Jesus’ authority and be “the light of the world” that He says we are.

But recall the former days in which, after you were illuminated, you endured a great struggle with sufferings: partly while you were made a spectacle both by reproaches and tribulations, and partly while you became companions of those who were so treated; for you had compassion on me in my chains, and joyfully accepted the plundering of your goods, knowing that you have a better and an enduring possession for yourselves in heaven. Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward.

—Hebrews 10:32-35

George Orwell (1903-1950) said, “In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act.” Orwell also reportedly said, “The further a society drifts from the truth, the more it will hate those that speak it.” With American politics the way it is right now, everything conservatives don’t like is “fake news” and political ads for Republicans are filled to the brim with lies. Orwell could have just as easily said, “The further Republicans drift from the truth, the more they will hate those that speak it.” I’m afraid if the Republicans regain a majority, there will be persecutions and retribution against all those who tell the truth and try to do what’s right.

Paul the Apostle describes persecution with an eternal perspective in Romans 8:18, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” Paul explains in 2 Timothy 3:13-17, “But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived. But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

At times in each of our lives, we have had to endure hardships. Whether it’s money issues, relationship woes, loss of a loved one, or hating our job, no matter the reason for would pain, God will get us through the toughest times. How matter how good we are, or how godly a life we live, we will still face hardships. As many of the people who call themselves Christians increasingly embrace hatred, greed, and sinfulness, we have to fight even harder to preserve the loving relationship that God has for us. We can’t let hate drive us away from God. An increasing number of people consider themselves non-religious. Even those raised in a Christian household are turning away from God because of the bad example that many people set in the name of Christianity.

Jesus warned in John 15:18-21, “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also. But all these things they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know Him who sent Me.” Although it is often suppressed by the news media, the persecution of true Christians is proliferating throughout the world. In times like these we need endurance. People who claim to be Christians are the ones causing the most harm. They are driving people away from religion by their own intolerance and hateful views. They turn their backs on Christians who actually follow the teachings of Christ.

We are tempted to become weary in well-doing. Galatians 6:9 reads, “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.” Life may look hopeless, but there is always hope. God offers us hope, love, and eternal life. We may have times that are so bad, we don’t think we will ever get out from under that dark cloud, but we will. God will shine his light on us and show us our path, our destiny. Things will work out in the end, we just need the endurance to get us there.

And Hannah prayed and said: “My heart rejoices in the Lord; my horn is exalted in the Lord. I smile at my enemies, because I rejoice in Your salvation.

—1 Samuel 2:1

One smile is all it takes to improve your mood, energy, and overall health. One smile is all it takes to help someone have a better day. One smile is all it takes to make a difference in this world. One smile can make a powerful impact that ripples past our immediate surroundings.

Smiling does not just improve your personal health and well-being but also significantly impacts those around you. Your smile is literally contagious! A study published in the Scandinavian Journal of Psychology found that when participants were shown images of facial expressions of various emotions, the images of a person smiling triggered the participants naturally to mimic the facial expression and smile as well. When you smile at someone, they are likely to start smiling as well. Not only is your smile boosting your mood, but also makes a positive impact on another person.

The power of a smile should not be underestimated. A smile shares hope, affection, and peace. A smile has the power to bring light in the darkness, bring positive energy in the day, reduce stress in life, and bring greater happiness to the world. Thérèse of Lisieux said, “Miss no single opportunity of making some small sacrifice, here by a smiling look, there by a kindly word; always doing the smallest right and doing it all for love.” One smile is all it takes. Give it a try. Smile. Watch how suddenly you will feel its immense power and impact in elevating your mood and well-being. 

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if thereis any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.

—Philippians 4:8

It’s easy to dwell on the negative when life is hard, disappointing, or painful. However, it’s important that we be more positive. Lord knows, I’m not always the best at being positive. In fact, I’m pretty awful at being positive sometimes. However, I still try to stay positive. Thinking positively helps us through the tough times and appreciate the great moments.

In times of desperation and hurt, it’s far too easy to be pessimistic. Those without good intentions will prey on our pessimistic attitude. However, if we remain positive, it’s harder to be exploited by the evil that surrounds us in this world. If we allow our pessimism to be exploited then we will react with despair, sadness, anger, etc. then, it is harder for us to imagine good in the world.

The biblical scholar Walter Brueggemann wrote in his book The Prophetic Imagination, “We need to ask not whether is is realistic or practical or viable but whether it is imaginable. We need to ask if our consciousness and imagination have been so assaulted and co-opted by the royal consciousness that we have been robbed of the courage or power to think an alternative thought.” If we can imagine a better world, we can make a difference, but if we cannot imagine a better world, then we won’t be able to see the good in the world. It’s absolutely imperative that we look for the good in the world, even if we have to create that good ourselves.

We need to feed our minds with blessings from God and the good things we can find in our lives or situations. We are to think about what is true rather than the evil that sometimes surrounds us. We need to dwell on what is noble and right so our actions will follow our thoughts. We are to feed our minds with whatever is pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, or praiseworthy—all the things that help us stay focused on God’s love for us.

We should focus our minds on the truth and all the good things in life. Always staying positive is a challenge, especially during the most trying times. But as we actively practice this, even in the most difficult moments, we can fight painful situations, trials, and all the difficult things we face. It’s a way to reclaim and live out our lives with love, hope, faith, and gratefulness in the full blessings and love of God.

Try to wake up each morning with positive thoughts.if you do, I think you’ll see positive changes in your life and in the life of those around you. It may be cliché, but there is power in positive thinking.

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:
He leadeth me beside the still waters
He restoreth my soul:
He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness
    for his name’s sake
Yea, though I walk through the valley
    of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil: for thou art with me;
Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me
    in the presence of mine enemies:
Thou anointest my head with oil;
My cup runneth over.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me
    all the days of my life:
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

Therefore, humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

—1 Peter 5:6-7

One of my favorite hymns begins with, “What a friend we have in Jesus/All our sins and griefs to bear/What a privilege to carry/Everything to God in prayer.” I can remember my mother playing this on the piano when I was growing up. It was her favorite to play, and it would reverberate through the house when she was playing it. I love the simple message in the song. The hymn was originally written by preacher Joseph M. Scriven as a poem in 1855 to comfort his mother, who was living in Ireland while he was in Canada. It has also provided me, and many others, with comfort over the years.

We worry too much. We are always afraid of what the future holds. Even the most level-headed of people have worries, whether they outwardly show it or not. The American actress and comedian, Gilda Radner, who died of cancer in 1989, is quoted as saying, “I wanted a perfect ending. Now I’ve learned, the hard way, that some poems don’t rhyme, and some stories don’t have a clear beginning, middle, and end. Life is about not knowing, having to change, taking the moment and making the best of it, without knowing what’s going to happen next. Delicious Ambiguity.”

Trusting in God plan for us is what makes the unknown, as Radner called it, “Delicious Ambiguity.” Numbers 6:24-26 God told Moses to tell the Israelites, “The Lord blesses you and keeps you; the Lord makes His face shines upon you and is gracious to you; the Lord looks upon you with favor and gives you peace.” When we have anxiety and doubt, remember Galatians 5:22-23, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.”