The religion that disconnects me from a needy world around me is not the “faith once delivered to the saints” (Jude 1:3).  The religion that makes me withdraw from the leper and others I deem unclean is not the religion of Jesus.  The religion that allows cultural forces to keep me from embracing the alien, stranger and giving food and drink to my enemy is not the historic Christian faith.  I am not free to think, say or do as I please, since I am a follower of Jesus.  His teachings are as radical today as they were to the culture of His own day.  Following Him may ostracize me from my peers.

Jesus repeatedly said, “Follow Me”