Author: Wick

Yesterday we were reminded of the radical nature in God’s “chosen ones” becoming more than just the people of Israel. Pastor Gerry praught from Ephesians 2:11-22, the beginning of which reminds this group of people that at one point they were considered Gentiles.

Who were the Gentiles? Depending on which word is used (ethnos or Hellen), it refers to anyone from a nation other than Israel, or any Greek person. As Israel lost it’s focus on the covenant God had made (they’d been chosen FOR THE PURPOSE of reaching all humanity), it moved further and further from loving these people. It came to the point where they were sometimes referred to commonly as “kyon”, which would be similar to “dog”, but in a slanderous way (like the way some would use the term for female dog these days).

So all of a sudden, these Gentiles are told they are on equal footing with the Jews before God. All of a sudden, the Jews are told they are no longer singled out for God’s covenant and blessing, but that it is now offered to all humanity, even these Gentiles?

This wasn’t just an emotional, tug-at-your-heart, kinda love God was pushing. This wasn’t a buy-me-a-card-and-some-flowers and call it a day kind of relationship he was calling them to have transformed. This was an earth-shattering, world-view transforming, change the way you LIVE transformation. It didn’t simply mean now you have to make eye contact, or treat them nice, or sit next to them in the cafeteria. It was a call to loving them like a brother/sister. The family of God was not just a cute illustration on how a Jesus-Santa brings us all gifts together. It was an actual relationship transformation that forced people with thousands of years of separation mindset to depend on the Holy Spirit to work a mighty change. I’m sure even the Gentiles needed reminders not to gloat over being invited to the party, after they’d been considered “outsiders” for so long, and knew many Jews were not happy with this new invitation.

As pointed out by Pastor Gerry, this was larger than the Berlin Wall coming down. This was larger than if North and South Korea came together. This was RADICAL, not for radical’s sake, but for the sake of the Kingdom and by it’s very nature breaking forth into our world.

May God and His Spirit be revealed in our lives in such ways. Not ways that are radical simply to be radical, but by the natural transforming that takes place when our values and loves are replaced by Kingdom Values and Loves. Look out creation…here comes the Church….

I’ve gotten this forward from about 4 different sources. If you are, or have friends that are, “churchy”; you’ve probably gotten a forward recently that invokes the words of 2 Chronicles 7:14:

“..if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, pray, seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” (NRSV)

The forward invokes these words as a sort of patriotic call. These words were used to call people to vote for McCain back in 2008. They’ve been used as a rallying cry against abortion, and against same-sex unions, and against a bunch of different specific “bad stuff” here in the United States.

No matter how they’ve been misused, they still stand as relevant words. But no longer simply relevant to a nation, and especially not only relevant to the United States of America, even though many would like to believe we are some how a nation specifically “blessed by God” for one reason or another (probably cause our dollar bills give Him a shout out).

These are words directed to God’s chosen people. In 2 Chronicles, it meant the people of Israel – God’s chosen people to reach the world. But the story of God’s chosen people doesn’t stop with King David and Solomon rebuilding the temple. Through Jesus Christ’s death/resurrection/pouring out His Spirit – we have all become God’s people…worldwide. The covenant He made with Abraham has broken wider than Israel ever imagined. It’s now about God’s Kingdom, which is being proclaimed by it’s citizens all throughout creation.

As I said earlier, these are still remarkably relevant words. No longer to one nation, but to all citizens of the Kingdom of God. It’s not about us making sure the United States shines as a “sinless country”. It’s about the people of God found in the US, Canada, Ethiopia, India, and every other country turning from themselves, and turning towards God and His love for all.

Does this inspire prayer for leaders/action towards changing laws? Yup. Does this inspire prayer for troops? Definitely. But not simply our leaders, or laws that impact our country, and not simply prayer for “our” troops. This is a global, Kingdom thing.

God calls us to repent, and promises/is already bringing forgiveness, and has already begun His ultimate act of Healing all of creation. May we join Him in that work, and recognize our Kingdom citizenship above all others…

“For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (NIV)

Most of us have heard this verse before. Most of us have heard this verse translated this way. Most of us have heard the message that goes with it.

Something to the effect of spending our days searching for that thing – tomorrow, next week, sometime this year, or perhaps a career or path in our life. Some specific “work” that God has prepared in advance for us to do. We can get very emotional sometimes, either being anxious about finding that moment, or about giving God credit for a circumstance that “just happens” to come together at the right moment – even if that moments happens to slap most involved in the face.

Does God sometimes orchestrate moments, and call us to specific paths – both on a daily basis and on a grand “life direction” basis? Sure He does. I believe it. But is that what Paul was talking about in this verse? Nope.

It’s more obviously seen in the NRSV translation: “For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared before-hand to be our way of life.”

It’s about a daily existence resourced in the Spirit of God, which leads to a life full of that Spirit bearing fruit in and through us. Good things will happen. “Works” will be accomplished. (no matter what type of “works” we believe Paul was talking about here)

Literally in the Greek it says “en autois peripatesomen” , or IN THEM WE SHOULD WALK. It doesn’t say “TO them we should walk”, as if these works are some sort of destination we should be aiming for. They are merely a way of walking, a way of living towards God and towards His Kingdom being announced/proclaimed/brought about here on earth.

May we naturally be involved in the works of God in creation, simply (and not so simply) because we seek to be sourced in and transformed by the Spirit of Jesus Christ…both as individuals, and as HIS Church…