Embracing the Radical Teachings of Jesus
The teachings of Jesus, particularly as articulated in the Sermon on the Mount, invite us into a radically different way of living—one that challenges our assumptions, disrupts our habits, and reorients our understanding of what it means to live faithfully. As noted by theologians Stanley Hauerwas and William Willimon, these teachings are not presented as a “strategy for achieving a better society.” They are not rules designed to refine or modify the structures of the kingdoms of the world. Instead, they are a vision of something entirely new: the in-breaking of a kingdom that reflects God’s character and purposes.
A Vision of the Kingdom of God
The Sermon on the Mount offers us a glimpse into this new kingdom, a realm that cannot be understood through the lens of worldly practicality or effectiveness. Instead, it calls us to see the world through God’s eyes, to embrace values that stand in stark contrast to those of the world. Hauerwas and Willimon describe these teachings as “indicatives, promises, instances, imaginative examples of life in the kingdom of God.” They help us envision a way of being so transformative, so unlike anything we have known, that our old paradigms no longer suffice.
The kingdom of God is not centered on self-interest or on what “works” according to worldly standards. In the kingdom of the world, actions are often judged by their outcomes—by their ability to secure power, wealth, or influence. But in the kingdom of God, the measure of an action is its faithfulness to God’s character. This is a kingdom where peace takes precedence over violence, forgiveness triumphs over retaliation, and love for others surpasses self-interest.
The Character of God as the Basis for Ethics
The ethics of the kingdom of God are grounded not in pragmatism but in the very nature of God. As Hauerwas and Willimon note, “the basis for the ethics of the Sermon on the Mount is not what works but rather the way God is.” Jesus’ teachings challenge us to align our lives with God’s character—to act in ways that reflect who God is and what God is doing in the world.
Take, for example, the teaching to turn the other cheek. This command is not advocated because it is an effective strategy for conflict resolution. In fact, it often does not “work” in the conventional sense. Instead, it is advocated because it reflects the character of God. God is kind to the ungrateful and the selfish, extending grace to those who do not deserve it. Similarly, we are called to seek reconciliation not because it makes us feel better, but because reconciliation is central to God’s work in the world through Christ.
Living consistent with God’s character means submitting to God’s reign and trusting in God’s purposes. It requires a shift in focus from what seems practical or effective to what is faithful and true. It is not about achieving immediate results but about participating in the long arc of God’s redemptive work.
Faithfulness Over Pragmatism
In sharp contrast to the kingdom-of-the-world mindset, which prioritizes outcomes and expediency, the kingdom of God calls us to prioritize faithfulness. Disciples of Jesus are not to act based merely on what appears to be practical or effective. Instead, we are to act out of obedience to God’s character and commands, trusting that God will use our acts of faithfulness to further his purposes, even when the results are not immediately apparent.
This trust requires a profound shift in perspective. It demands that we let go of our need for control and our desire for visible success. It calls us to surrender our self-interest and to place our confidence in the God who is at work in the world. When we choose peace over violence, forgiveness over retaliation, and selflessness over self-interest, we bear witness to the kingdom of God. These choices may not always make sense in the context of the world’s values, but they align us with God’s reign and reflect the reality of his kingdom.
The Manifestation of God’s Reign
God’s reign is made visible and expanded through the faithfulness of his people. Every act of love, every gesture of forgiveness, every choice to prioritize the needs of others over our own contributes to the realization of God’s kingdom on earth. Where people choose violence, retaliation, and self-interest, they align themselves with the kingdom of the world. But where people choose peace, reconciliation, and selflessness, they manifest the kingdom of God.
This way of living is shocking and counterintuitive within the context of the world’s values. It often appears impractical or even foolish. Yet it is the only way to live in harmony with God and to participate in what God is doing in the world. It is the way of life that Jesus embodied and that he calls his disciples to follow.
Living in Harmony with God’s Character
To live consistent with God’s character is to embrace a life of radical obedience and trust. It is to relinquish our old ways of thinking and to adopt a new vision of what is possible. It is to align our actions with God’s purposes, even when those actions seem impractical or ineffective in the eyes of the world.
This is not an easy way to live. It requires courage, humility, and a willingness to be misunderstood. It demands that we resist the temptations of the kingdom of the world and that we place our hope in the promises of God. But it is also a life of profound joy and freedom—a life that reflects the beauty and goodness of God’s reign.
In the end, living consistent with God’s character is not about achieving perfection or earning God’s favor. It is about participating in the life of the kingdom, about bearing witness to the reality of God’s love and grace. It is about trusting that, however things may appear in the short term, God is at work, redeeming the world and bringing his kingdom to fulfillment.
Conclusion
The teachings of Jesus call us to a way of life that is radically different from the values of the world. They invite us to live in a manner that reflects God’s character, trusting that our acts of faithfulness will contribute to the realization of his kingdom. This is not a life of ease or convenience, but it is a life of purpose and meaning—a life that aligns us with God’s reign and enables us to participate in his redemptive work. May we have the courage to embrace this way of life and to bear witness to the kingdom of God in all that we do.
Minister A Francine Green
February 2026
Bibliography
- Hauerwas, Stanley, and William H. Willimon. The Sermon on the Mount: A Commentary on Matthew 5–7. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2006.
- Willimon, William H., and Stanley Hauerwas. Resident Aliens: Life in the Christian Colony. Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1989.
- Holy Bible, New International Version. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2011. (For references to the Sermon on the Mount and teachings of Jesus.)
- Wright, N.T. The Challenge of Jesus: Rediscovering His Revolutionary Teaching. Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1999.
- Yoder, John Howard. The Politics of Jesus. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1994.
- Bonhoeffer, Dietrich. The Cost of Discipleship. New York: Touchstone, 1995.
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