Issue 1173 – Radical Dreams – June 8, 2023
I had a radical dream last night. I was racing across the city to get to some important event. As I hurried along, I started seeing people of all ethnicities and every socio-economic group greeting one another as friends. There were lineups to get into churches, but it was the middle of a weekday.
I had to slow up because of the crowds. I saw flamboyantly demonstrative charismatics worshipping with stern-faced members of the frozen chosen group. Lutherans worshipped with Adventists and people of the Reformed group. Different Baptist groups seemed to be enjoying one another’s presence. Born again, Roman Catholics and members of the Orthodox faith worshipped alongside Protestants. The differences between them paled as long as Jesus was the focus.
I grew curious and watched the community a little more closely. These Christians simply went out and met the needs of their community. They fed the hungry and gave shelter to the homeless. They offered rides to people needing transportation, babysat for those who needed child care and visited the lonely and hospitalized.
Then these assorted believers did something really radical. They shared their faith in loving, nonjudgemental ways. They invited people to come to church. They prayed with everyone who had a need. They even loved people who rejected or hated them, praying for those people as well.
In short, they simply did what Jesus told us all to do.
There was no need for financial appeals, meeting a budget, or chasing a cash shortfall. Each person gave willingly and generously of what they had. The wealthy willingly gave significant sums, and the poor gave small sums but with open hearts.
There was no shortage of people to do the ministry of the church. The gathered people had willing hands and hearts and served as God gifted them.
This “ecumenical” move of the Spirit didn’t need denominational approval; it was happening because people wanted to follow Jesus fully. It didn’t need a particular campaign or program. There were no passionate pleas from the pulpit; each person was simply obedient to the Word and led by the Spirit.
I almost hate waking up.
It isn’t a unique vision by any stretch of the imagination or new. The fourth-century bishop and preacher John Chrysostom believed the most effective way of converting non-believers was the example of authentic Christian living. Chrysostom said, “There would be no more heathen if we would be true Christians.”
Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.‘ Matthew 25:34-40
The Book of Acts gives us a taste of it.
And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
Acts 2:42-47
True Christian faith is neither complacent nor dull. It is radical, countercultural, transforming and irresistible.
May we all be transformed into radical living examples of the love of Jesus.
Be Blessed
Hallelu Yah / Praise God
Kevin
Gleanings From The Word
Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life.
Soli Deo Gloria (For the glory of God alone)
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All contents, “Gleanings From The Word” and “Experience an Extraordinary God in Ordinary Life,” are © 2001, 2023 K.F. “Kevin” Corbin Gleanings From The Word.
Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is from the English Standard Version (ESV).
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