Through Christ's atoning death on the cross, the world is now reconciled to God -that's the amazing good news of the Gospel.
But its fullness is beyond salvation and the forgiveness of sins. It is also the coming of God's kingdom on earth - the kingdom which would turn the existing world order upside down. A kingdom where the poor, the sick, the grieving, cripples, slaves, women, children, widows, orphans, lepers, and aliens - the least of these - were to be lifted up and embraced by God. (See the Beatitudes - Matt. 5: 3 -10).
In God's kingdom justice has to become a reality - first and foremost in the hearts and minds of Christ's followers, and then, through their influence, in the wider society. His disciples were to be "salt" and "light" of the world. They were to be "yeast" that leavens the whole loaf of bread.
Christ's Great Commission "to go to the whole world" is not just about saving souls as many as we can for heaven. It is also intended to change everything in our fallen world - here and now.
As followers of Christ, we are charged both to proclaim and to embody the Gospel, so others may see, hear and feel God's love in tangible ways - giving others the glimpse of God's love and character in living our faith with integrity and compassion in the world.
God's kingdom is a revolutionary view of the world - a world transformed by transformed people, who are his disciples of all the nations.
But its fullness is beyond salvation and the forgiveness of sins. It is also the coming of God's kingdom on earth - the kingdom which would turn the existing world order upside down. A kingdom where the poor, the sick, the grieving, cripples, slaves, women, children, widows, orphans, lepers, and aliens - the least of these - were to be lifted up and embraced by God. (See the Beatitudes - Matt. 5: 3 -10).
In God's kingdom justice has to become a reality - first and foremost in the hearts and minds of Christ's followers, and then, through their influence, in the wider society. His disciples were to be "salt" and "light" of the world. They were to be "yeast" that leavens the whole loaf of bread.
Christ's Great Commission "to go to the whole world" is not just about saving souls as many as we can for heaven. It is also intended to change everything in our fallen world - here and now.
As followers of Christ, we are charged both to proclaim and to embody the Gospel, so others may see, hear and feel God's love in tangible ways - giving others the glimpse of God's love and character in living our faith with integrity and compassion in the world.
God's kingdom is a revolutionary view of the world - a world transformed by transformed people, who are his disciples of all the nations.
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