No More of This

Ever want to know the future?

 Get a taste of what it will be like?

 Isaiah 2:4 "He will judge between the nations and will settle disputes for many peoples. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war anymore."

 That is the future. That is your future. My future.

 But… That doesn't mean that we need to do that now… right? It isn't like Christ ever told the church to start looking like that… right?

 It certainly wasn't the focus of His first public message… right?

 Matthew 5:3-12
“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
  Blessed are those who mourn,
    for they will be comforted.
  Blessed are the meek,
    for they will inherit the earth.
  Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
    for they will be filled.
  Blessed are the merciful,
    for they will be shown mercy.
  Blessed are the pure in heart,
    for they will see God.
  Blessed are the peacemakers,
    for they will be called children of God.
  Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
    for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
 Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you."

 I see so little of this coming out of the Church at a time when it has never been needed to be prounounced more. If we don't start looking like this, we have already lost. 

 When Judas came with the chief priests and elders to arrest Jesus, there is this incredible interaction:

 Luke 22:50-51
And one of them struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear. But Jesus answered, “No more of this!” And he touched the man’s ear and healed him.
So, if you want to know where I stand on pacifism or gun control, here it is. No more of this. Be filled with these things (Matt. 5:3-12) before you stand for or against gun control. Desire peace. Embody meekness. Show mercy. Listen. Listen to each person's story. Listen again. Don't stop listening.

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