Imagine there’s no Heaven
It’s easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people
Living for today

What John Lennon’s song describes, in a really catchy way, is the general belief that what creates peace and harmony is the absence of belief.  This thinking says, “If people would just give up their belief in eternal reward and punishment, and religion all together, then “heaven” would come to earth.”

First, it must be said that religion IS a huge source of hatred and strife in this world.  But the question remains: Is Lennon’s prescription — giving up belief — really a viable option for peace?

No.

We can never have an absence of belief.  Even if you believe that people should give up their beliefs, that, in and of itself, is a belief.  And you will not be tolerant of people who disagree with your position, which is the accusation made about religion.

So what needs to be evaluated is not the presence or absence of belief, but the content of those beliefs.  And how do we evaluate beliefs?  Whether or not they produce self-sacrificing love.

And that is why the gospel of Jesus is the best prescription.  The gospel, when rightly followed, produces acceptance and humility.  Acceptance, knowing that we are right with God, and humility, knowing that reconciliation with God had nothing to do with us.

We can be confident that we have the truth, but humble knowing we didn’t come to it ourselves.  We can be bold in our position, but gentle in our presentation, because Love came to us, not because of us, but in spite of us.

Imagine that.