Cathy and I are reading “Knowing Jesus through the Old Testament” together and I found a stunning quote from Christopher Wright: “We have imagined that the best way to save the world was to run the world.” The tragic result of this idea is that Christian mission has now been associated with the use of power, either using military force (like Crusades), or by aggregating cultural, economic, or political power (like Inquisitions).
Jesus came to save the world by becoming a Servant, and He left the remaining task to His Church using that same servant strategy. Yet, many people still gravitate to save the world by running the world, by aggregated power and influence. So in this election time, I want to encourage you that the world will not be saved through power, but through the work on God through His Church, as the Agent of an unshakable Kingdom (Heb. 11:28).
And as we enter these elections days, almost everyone is feeling apprehension or fear about the future. But I want to offer us three things we can do that can re-direct our minds to be thankful and confident.
First, instead of trying to influence someone through social media, reach out to someone from your past and ask, “how are you doing, how can I pray for you?”
Second, pick out a country other than America, and pray that the Lord of the Harvest would send workers to that country. If you can’t think of one, pray for India, which has the largest number of the 1586 people groups who have not yet been offered the gospel.
Third, before you look up your newsfeed or turn on the TV news, read Matthew 5-7 and write down three things you should do in response. Then look at the news.
Over the next days, I am going to try these three activities any time I feel anxiety about what is happening in the world, all the while praying for His Kingdom to come, His will be done on earth as it is in heaven. One day, Jesus will return to receive the glory He deserves and He will take away all our fears. Until He comes, let’s represent this Servant King with thankfulness and confidence.
Let’s save the world Jesus’ way, through servanthood, not by trying to run the world.
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