Viral Faith

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1 The youtube video above is called "Why I hate religion, but love Jesus" and has been virally spreading all over the web over the past several days.  Its a powerfully done spoken-word on the difference between authentic, living faith and a rigidly constructed rules oriented set of beliefs that many see as religion.  I have listened to the video several times as links were sent from friends and I agree with much of what this talented young man is saying. What he is saying is not new but a creative expression of the realization of many that Jesus came to develop a rich connection with us and among us, not a set of rules and regulations inwhich to live by.  It would also be wrong to think that Jesus came to simply send people to heaven and had no sense of accountability or ethics.  Jesus came to transform people ...

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. Isaiah 2:4 It is clear from the plain reading of scripture, that God's intention is to end war and its brutality as the means in which nations, peoples, and tribes relate to one another.  From a Christian perspective, one of God's aims through Jesus Christ was unity of all people, not based upon ethnicity, nationality, culture, or families, but based upon the person and work of Jesus.  This is the remarkable thing about the good news of Jesus, is that it radically sought to demolish the divisions and fractures that have defined humanity since its inception (Ephesians 2:14-16). Its interesting that when we talk about allowing Christ to work through us to accomplish Kingdom goals, we rarely see ending war and warfare as one of ...