October 31, 2008
Forcefully Advancing
Occasionally we’ll hear reports about how successfully the gospel is spreading in China, Korea or on some other foreign soil. It’s hard to grasp a global view of the kingdom of heaven in comparison to what we see in our local community, city or state. Not that the gospel isn’t spreading in America, but I can’t say we’re hearing anything about a spiritual revival sweeping the nation. I don’t know about you, but I’d love to see what Jesus sees. “From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it.” (Matt 11:12 NIV)
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1 comment:
Gail;
-----Many of the men today who have been taking hold of the kingdom by force claim that Jesus never addressed anything political. But there is common thought that Jesus was referring to a Jewish movement trying to incite a Jewish revolt and breakaway from Rome by knifing people in crowds. Certainly a political action, and certainly a violent action. The change in Roman heart towards Christianity when Constantine acquired the throne brought a new wave of violent groping for the kingdom. For centuries persecution, torture, and war between differing Christian ideologies became the sad norm. -----Now that we have outgrown at least the physical aspect of the violence, those of us with eyes to see and ears to hear still see violence in the kingdom levied at the more accepted level of emotional and intellectual intimidation. It happens between denominations, within denominations over various issues, and within individual churches over even more idiotic issues. Almost always, you can see at the center of it men who believe that since God has given them authority, then He must will it to be used to push their own personal beliefs by intimidating means. Their knives may not be physical, but they are hidden up their sleeves just the same, similarly thrust about in crowds, and likewise cut as deeply and painfully.
-----I believe that if these men to whom God has given authority would spend as much effort being godly and exemplifying that as they do trying to make sure everyone else does worship and theology as they themselves do, then the kingdom of heaven would stop stinking and withering in the sight of those outside it. “Welcome one another, therefore, as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God.” (Rom 15:7 RSV) “I do not pray for these only, but also for those who believe in Me through their word, that they may all be one; even as Thou, Father, art in Me, and I in Thee, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that Thou hast sent Me.” (John 17:20-21 RSV)
Love,
Steve Corey
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