Monday, October 5, 2009
Thy Kingdom Come - week 3
Many people characterize the time in which we live as the "already" and the "not yet" of the Kingdom. This reflects the truth that in some ways, the Kingdom was instituted with Christ's first advent. It also tells us that things are not yet finished. This week we will focus on the "already" parts of the Kingdom. This aspect of the Kingdom is very different from what many people expected when Christ came. I think they had eyes for the finished product, not realizing that first the Kingdom would be established spiritually. Jesus' teaching confronted this confusion. This time in history (our time) has also been referred to as the church age, because of the prominent role the church has in God's unfolding plan. However, this does not mean that "the church" is an interchangeable term with "the Kingdom." What's the difference? What's your opinion?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
4 comments:
Ah...Matthew 25...a passage that is so influential in my life. Reading it, and just coming off of last night's homeless awareness event, I feel compelled to get up on the soapbox...
So often I am confronted with people whose opinion is that those who are homeless, addicted, mentally ill, etc are not deserving of meals, donated clothing, and other kindnesses because they "chose" their life and they should just deal with it. But we know through research that while some bad choices are indeed involved, the issues resulting in homelessness and poverty - such as addiction, mental illness, chronic physical illness, unemployment, illiteracy - are more the result of genetics, environment, or a combination of those factors. For example, in my 29 years as a treatment provider, I have never yet met someone who deliberately set out to be an addict, but I have met plenty of people who experimented, abused, or self-medicated with drugs and/or alcohol who, by the grace of GOD, did not have a genetic predisposition to addiction and so escaped its ravages. Does this fortunate majority, then, deserve care and concern more than the unfortunate minority who became addicted? In truth, all of us have made bad decisions that could have led to disaster, but most of us have had the "good genes" and resources that allowed us to avoid long-term psychological, social, physical, economic, and legal consequences. Our bad decisions are sin...they are made out of selfishness and fleshly desires. We have all fallen short of GOD's glory. None of us deserve any blessings - but HE provides them anyway. So why should we even wonder whether someone else deserves them? Are you a "least of these"? If not, be grateful. Think about some of the bad decisions you have made and consider how things would have turned out if you'd made those decisions and had the same inherited limitations as some of the folks you see on the street. It could just as easily have been you. If GOD sees fit to bless us, we must see fit to bless those whose circumstances are less fortunate.
Praise GOD for HIS mercy and for the opportunity HE gives us to touch others in need.
We are fortunate. I always tell people that I would not go back to being 18 years old or any of my younger years. I lived through it once. With all the stupid things I did when I was younger, I may not be as lucky next time.
I've gone around with a big grin on my face all day and can't stop rejoicing and praising God for last night's service. Truly it was a "kingdom moment" and I didn't want it to end. Maybe this is what heaven is like!!!
It was a powerful night. The joy of new believers is something that can renew us if we let it. It reminds us of what all this is really about and the joy that accompanies obedience.
Post a Comment