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If this is the king I serve, and he rules in justice, mercy,
faithfulness, and love, then I am fully enabled to walk in the light of these
laws of this just kingdom. I can walk in justice, mercy, and faithfulness, even
in opposition to the culture, power, or authority surrounding me.
Ephesians 1:16-23
I do not cease to
give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord
Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and of
revelation in the knowledge of him, having the eyes of your hearts enlightened,
that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the
riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and what is the immeasurable
greatness of his power towards us who believe, according to the working of his
great might that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and
seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority
and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this
age but also in the one to come. And he put all things under his feet and gave
him as head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fullness of
him who fills all in all.
In Christ, I can stand firm on the side of justice, and I
can oppose injustice in this world. I do not need to be afraid. I do not need
to rebel to resist. Injustice in this world has been conquered by Christ, and
any authority who would dare to walk contrary to justice and reconciliation is
contrary to the king. It is these authorities that are in rebellion.
Anything that would hinder me from walking according to
justice and peace has been removed. Anything that would hinder me from
resisting injustice and oppression in this world has been removed. God has made
us free to live in and act for the demonstration of heaven on earth.
So the challenge for me in these verses is to do so. First,
to respond to God in worship and prayer. Second, to live according to his
kingdom. Third, to actively resist the rulers, authorities, powers, and titles
that would rebel against his authority.
We were purchased at a high price, the life and blood of
Jesus. We have been adopted into a community of love that has existed for
eternity. We are citizens of the kingdom of highest authority and power in
earth and heaven. We represent this kingdom of justice, unity, grace, and love
here and now.
I have no excuse not to raise my life and voice as a living
sacrifice for this king and kingdom. We were chosen for the praise of his
glory. We are living seeds of heaven on earth. We are blessed and privileged to
be a blessing to the world. I want God to be glorified in my life, the life he
purchased. He deserves nothing less.
And so, for the kingdom of justice I will raise my voice. I
will actively cry out with letters and marches and demonstrations for the
oppressed. Here and now, I will do this for the Palestinians and the First
Nations of Alberta especially. I will remain informed about the progress or
hindrance of the Just Kingdom in the world, and I will participate. I will
write letters to government. I will attend rallies and marches in solidarity. I
will raise my fist against injustice. I will raise my finger to heaven, and the
just king.
To the poor and homeless, the imprisoned and hospitalized, I
will give my time and resources. I will personally feed the hungry who would
otherwise not eat. I will give a bed to the shelterless who would otherwise
sleep outside. I will seek opportunities to do this frequently. I will seek
friendships with people who are hospitalized or in prison so that I can
minister light and hope to them behind walls.
No authority, natural, legal, or spiritual, hinders me from
living this life of sacrifice. It is in fact, hardly a sacrifice at all. I have
been wildly blessed. I am incredibly wealthy. God has given me so much. I will
never run out of what he's given me to give away.
For the king. For the kingdom.
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