Thursday 12 June 2014

Which is Kingdom?

Naked Pastor
Scenario 1:

Men using politics and power plays to 'do church'. Machinations and manipulation. People being abused and sacrificed to the gods of 'unity' and 'leadership'. Submission and respect being demanded - on pain of rejection and shunning. Sheep being scattered and slaughtered by the wolves who have seized control. 'Leaders' refusing to be accountable to anyone except yes men, refusing to even talk to those they have abused. The bruised and battered being thrown out of 'the church', blamed for their own woundedness. Those responsible for the wounding flinging accusations of 'trouble-maker', 'bitter', 'divisive'.



Scenario 2:

One young woman moving to a foreign country simply because she wants to share the love of God with others. Trusting him completely for guidance and provision. Rescuing those who've been abused by the world's system. Loving them - treating them with dignity and worth. Pouring her life out in service to those the world has used and thrown away. Caring for the outcasts, the rejects, the 'least of these'. Sacrificing comfort, security and privilege; yet seeing it not as a sacrifice but a joy and delight.



Question:

Which of these two pictures best illustrates the Kingdom of God? Which do you think makes Jesus smile? Which is the outcome of being Spirit-led?

2 comments:

  1. living liminal

    Yeah - Scenario 1 - is a bummer...
    Reminds me of “The Abusive Religious System” I was in bondage to. :-(
    Are you sure we were NOT hangin in the same pews...

    You ask...
    “Which of these two pictures best illustrates the Kingdom of God?”
    #2 - One young woman moving... to share the love of God with others.

    “Which do you think makes Jesus smile?”
    #2 - Rescuing those who've been abused by the world's system.
    Loving them - treating them with dignity and worth.

    Which is the outcome of being Spirit-led?
    #1 - and - #2...

    Just depends on which spirit bin doin the leadin... ;-)

    1 John 4:1
    Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God:
    because many false prophets are gone out into the world.

    Jer 5:31
    The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means;
    and “MY People” love to have it so... Oy Vey!!! :-(

    Jer 50:6
    “MY People” hath been “lost sheep:”
    **THEIR shepherds** have caused them to *go astray,*
    --------------

    But - If you’re born of the Spirit of God... You are like the wind... :-)

    John 3:8
    The wind (pneuma = Spirit) bloweth where it listeth,
    and thou hearest the sound thereof,
    but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth:
    so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

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  2. "Just depends on which spirit bin doin the leadin... ;-)"

    Interesting point, A. Amos! Maybe that's why scenario 1 sounds so familiar to you - not the same pews but the same spirit :(

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