I wrestled with this theme for quite some time before the good Lord reminded me that it's true. There's something else going in the world than just brute force. Though there is struggle this side of heaven, we still see signs that the steadfast of the Lord is at work.
Simply put, history belongs to the martyrs. I don't merely mean people who die for their faith, though that is not to be excluded. Rather, I'm using the term the way it's employed in the New Testament. In the New Testament, the word martyr refers to one who witnesses to God's vulnerable love. Just think about all the examples we have of Christianity slowly growing and influencing the world, even without using political power and military might.
The early Christians died for their faith, refusing to bear arms against anyone. Slowly but surely their way of life won over most of the Roman Empire. St. Francis of Assissi lived a life of simple obscurity, caring for the poorest of the poor to the neglect of his own health. Today, we still find ourselves inspired by his witness. And let's not forget Mother Teresa, Martin Luther King Jr., missionaries who labor in the far off places for Christ's amazing love, and parents who witness in countless ways and invest in the kingdom by raising their children to be disciples--all inspired by the death and resurrection of Jesus.
We see this theme clearly at work in Revelation. This amazing book constantly reminds us that God will work for the good of those who love him, even though failure seems so immiment. At the end of time, we will worship the lamb who has been slaughter (Rev. 5). And gathered around the throne are those who have been God's faithful witnesses (Rev. 6, 7.14-17).
Is there anything more wonderful and shocking than this? Sounds to me like the steadfast love of the Lord rules history.
Peace.
3 comments:
Hi Dave.
It really is the up-side-down kingdom. I value my heritage of faith with my Anabaptist forefathers/foremothers and their sacrifice through non-violence.
What is your perspective of pacifism living after the NT? The OT is filled with God's directive, often, to go kill as the nation of Israel is shaped Slaughter everything, even women and children, leave nothing alive.
Jesus did not tell the Roman Centurion to go change profession. He of course disappointed those that expected him to forcefully overthrow Rome.
Bonhoeffer had a voice in the group to assassinate Hitler. Could he have pulled the trigger? Could I?
I am living in the middle of the value of my Mennonite heritage and the incredible impact of the martyrs of this doctrine; Jesus my Lord as the lead martyr of the faith; the God of the OT as a waring God - defeating evil and living in a country that relies on power and bravado, sometimes abusing it, yet sometimes "righteously" taking out a dictator or two.
There are two camps of humanity. The justified who Fear Standing In AWE of Him, and the unjustified who do not fear or acknowledge Him.
God, it is written, is no respector of persons. It is a fact that all we, like sheep, have gone astray, we have turned, everyone, to his own way. Therefore, all men are (tongue in cheek) "created equal" in that we all fall short of the glory of God. We are born into the estate of "The Fall" and moreover none is righteous no not one! That none is a better or worse a sinner than the other. Sin, we find out, is a snare, a pit, a trap, sucking quick sand, and that pride in trying to be a more good or better person ends up hopeless in the grave. We are all alike, in that we have "equal opportunity" to do abominable deeds. Thank God Almighty that His Mercy Extends To ALL EQUALLY! And His Mercy is new every morning, The Counsel Of The Lord standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations. (THIS is the Thread to bind people from all times, and places, and situations, and conditions, to Himself). In Psalm 130 we learn that The MERCY and Steadfast Love Counsel of God evokes (or should cause) FEAR of The Lord.
(Psalm 33: Let all the earth fear The LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him. Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in His Mercy. To deliver their soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine. Our soul waiteth for the LORD: he is our help and our shield. Four our heart shall rejoice in him, because we have trusted in His Holy Name. Let thy Mercy, O LORD, be upon us, according as we Hope In Thee.)
Let us then enter his rest. The Rest whom is Christ Jesus The Propitiation for Our Sins. The Justifier of All whom call upon his name for Mercy, and HOPE in His Eternal Gift of Love who IS Christ Jesus.
Eric, you saw right through me; I have been influenced by Anabaptist tradition--that I can't deny.
I'm not ready to go all the way, yet. Perhaps I'm too much of a coward.
Anyway, there are some good resources that answer your questions better than I can.
John Howard Yoder tackles these issues as does Richard Hays in The Moral Vision of the NT, and Walter Wink. Their arguments are very powerful.
Peace.
Post a Comment