Light up the darkness

Today, July 8, 2016, marks three days of violence in the U.S.

How should Christians respond to the corruption of our times? 

Prayer gatherings? Protest rallies? Political engagement?

It is never just one approach. We are a body. Christianity, the church, is a dynamic movement. 

Remember what our Lord says about us? 

“You are the light of the world--like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden.” (Matthew 5:14)

It’s time. 

Light up the darkness. 

How?

Christ Jesus is the triple cure for human ignorance, guilt and corruption.

Our Lord shares his authority as prophet, priest & king with his body, the Church, the Christian. 

So… 

Be Prophets

Be a prophetic voice to the powers. Hold forth God's standards for justice & partner with those who hunger & thirst for righteousness… 

Be a prophetic voice WITHIN our own racial, economic, ethnic & generational context.

Be Priests

Be priests showing the love & compassion of God to everyone especially the marginalized…

Be priests who bear each other’s burdens & teach the lifestyle of Christ with the power of the Spirit... 

Be Royal

Be Christ's vicegerents who cast a consistent vision so the image of God in everyone is honored... 

Be Christ's vicegerents by demonstrating how power is given to serve others into a quality life… 

We are ambassadors of Christ’s reign, presenting the good news of forgiveness & new life in Christ Jesus. 

Through the Spirit & the Scriptures we share the power of Christ to transform individuals, cultures and systems.

Let’s call people to the Great Command to love God above all & love our neighbors as ourselves. 

Some of us are more priest than prophet, more king than priest, etc. 

But together we are the body of Christ, the united front for God's reign. 

We are Joseph. Dreaming & planning so that everyone in the land can eat well.

We are Ruth. Loving the other across racial, ethnic & economic boundaries. 

We are Esther. Dining with kings to stay the hand of evil. 

We are Nehemiah. Passionate about our people, building structures against evils within us, & outside of our camps. 

We are Daniel. In exile yet remaining faithful to God & our friends. We will counsel good and evil rulers & stand by faith against evil. 

We are exiles still seeking the peace & prosperity of our strange lands. 

We are a people of prayer & power.

We are the church. Full of the Spirit who gives visions & dreams. 

We do not have a spirit of fear. Ours is the Spirit of power, love and soundness of mind. 

And the gates of hell will not prevail against us. 

We will not be held captive. 

And there is no person or place that cannot be transformed by the gospel. 

Love God, be loved, love others... 

Light up the darkness.