Word of Life Church Podcast

Because Jesus prevailed over the devil in his wilderness temptation, and remained true to the Father’s will all the way to the cross, the world now has a saving alternative to the death dealing ways of Pharaoh and Caesar. Because Jesus was formed in the Scriptures and not the dominant script of idolatry and injustice, we can be formed in the Word of Christ and overcome the devil. As the Apostle John said, “The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.”

As I call Christians to the practices of radical forgiveness and nonviolent peacemaking that Jesus embodied and most clearly sets forth in the Sermon on the Mount, I often encounter Christians using Romans 13 as a kind of rebuttal. Their argument goes something like this:“God has ordained the government and has given it the sword to execute vengeance; therefore we cannot be opposed to war because Romans 13 sanctions ‘Just War.’”But this is an egregious misinterpretation and misapplication of what Paul is talking about.

On Mount Sinai we only see the back of God; so assumptions are made and at the bottom of the mountain people are executed in the name of holiness, justice, etc. But on Mount Tabor we finally see the face of God in Christ, and at the bottom of the mountain people are healed and set free from their demons. On Mount Tabor the Theology of Terror (back of God theology) is excelled by the Theology of Love (face of God theology).

“It is simply out of the question that God ‘helps’ the Germans or the French or the English. God does not even ‘help’ us Swiss. God helps justice and love. God helps the kingdom of heaven, and that exists across all national boundaries. The foolish mixing of patriotism, war enthusiasm, and Christian faith could one day lead to the bitterest disappointment. We will not join in drinking this intoxicating potion. We want to look steadfastly and unwaveringly to God, who loves everyone equally and who is above all the nations.” –Karl Barth, 1914

If God reveals himself to us as I WILL BE WHAT I WILL BE, it seems to indicate there is to be a "divine unfolding" over time. How we first know God will not be how we will know God as we stay on the journey. This doesn’t mean God is changing. God is immutable. God does not mutate. God does not change. But from our perspective it may certainly appear that God is changing.This is the divine unfolding.

We share this planet with seven and half billion other people. What are they for? Are they mere “extras” in a movie called "ME"? Are they resources to be used in the advancement of our selfish agendas? Are they objects to be analyzed, categorized, and utilized according to how they benefit us? Of course not! That approach to the worth and purpose of people is entirely antichrist! People are bearers of the divine image, and as such they are to be unconditionally loved and respected, always accorded justice, and given proper dignity as an expression of our love for God. To mistreat, use, and abuse other people is an insult to God. It's a kind of blasphemy.

We need holy places to help cultivate our sense of the sacred. By spending time in places connected with sacred history or set aside for worship we develop a capacity to see the glory of God in every bush. This is holy ground. But the deeper truth is that every step we take is on holy ground. It's all holy. There are no non-sacred places, only sacred places and desecrated places. But it’s specific “holy places” that lead the way to seeing all places as holy. It's the practices of prayer, pilgrimage, and contemplation that help alert us to the fact that we live our lives on holy ground.

The most embarrassing moments in church history are when the church sold its soul for political power. Whenever the church reaches for the sword of Caesar, it lets go of the cross of Christ. We don’t have to change the world, we only have to be that part of the world already changed by Christ. But this requires that we be genuine Jesus people.

The story of Jacob at Jabbok is one of the richest mines for spiritual gems in all Scripture. It’s the first place where we are specifically told of someone who saw the face of God. It’s also the origin of the name Israel—a name that becomes synonymous with God’s people.

The spirit of the age blesses the cocky and self-confident—But Jesus blesses the poor in spirit.The spirit of the age blesses those who are shallow and thus happy all the time—But Jesus blesses those who have the capacity to mourn deeply.The spirit of the age blesses the power-hungry who want to run the world—But Jesus blesses the meek who are willing to trust God.The spirit of the age blesses the privilege-protectors—But Jesus blesses the justice-seekers.The spirit of the age blesses those who think justice is retribution and revenge—Jesus blesses the merciful instead.The spirit of the age blesses the clever ones who come up with the best schemes—Jesus blesses the pure-hearted who have no schemes.The spirit of the age blesses those who are great at waging war—Jesus blesses those who have the patience to work for peace.The spirit of the age blesses those who fight for might—Jesus blesses those who suffer for what is right.