I believe that we are largely missing one component of Jesus' ministry that is essential for attracting the "younger brothers." We have to go out and be among them. We Christians put ourselves in a protective tower of Christian influence, and we seem "untouchable" to them. We're Pharisees a lot of the time. Jesus went TO them, he didn't wait for them to wander into his house.
ded
· 1 year ago
I like Sarah's response. It begs another question, however: How do we spend meaningful time with unbelievers and keep ourselves from fellowshipping with them?
Consider an image. A piece of paper. It is half white and half black. Dividing the two halves is a narrow strip of pure, translucent yellow bringing to mind light. The black represents all those who seek to live their lives within dark realms of human existence. The white represents those who chose "moral" or "good" pursuits. Neither is the Truth. The image is an analogy of the dichotomy between those who function largely out-of-control or in opposition to social norms and those who seek to function in control and as representatives of social norms. (Of course, as rapidly as social norms are changing complicates things a bit, but that is another discussion.) The narrow, yellowish middle divider is representative of the Spirit of Truth, the Light of the World, the Living God, Jesus.
This narrow way between black and white touches both sides of the dichotomy, up close and personal, and calls to both sides to stop satisfying the soul according to man's wisdom: the black side = the "wisdom" we call street sense, and the white side represents the "wisdom" of man's moralistic religions, including Christian religion. To be in the yellow, means to be fully living a life in-dwelt by the Spirit of Jesus, thus knowing the fulfillment of satisfaction for the soul as is only found through the righteousness of Christ.
The young brothers are demanding reality and waiting to hear teaching which reveals the Truth of the narrow way. The narrow way is not doctrine or law. It is the narrow way of spirit life, trusting in Jesus alone for our righteousness, and thus ushering the individual into Kingdom reality. Spirit life eschews religious good works. The narrow way is life which is secure enough to embrace the non-believer fully though he or she walks in the wisdom of darkness.
The younger brothers will rise up when the sons of God reveal themselves.
BenCotten
· 1 year ago
The younger brothers will rise up when the sons of God reveal themselves.
That sums it up for me. And I love that black/white image. I'm stealing it... ;-)
ded
· 1 year ago
Glad you feel the black.white image is helpful. To keep you from "stealing", I officially remove any implied copyright.
All Comments
Consider an image. A piece of paper. It is half white and half black. Dividing the two halves is a narrow strip of pure, translucent yellow bringing to mind light. The black represents all those who seek to live their lives within dark realms of human existence. The white represents those who chose "moral" or "good" pursuits. Neither is the Truth. The image is an analogy of the dichotomy between those who function largely out-of-control or in opposition to social norms and those who seek to function in control and as representatives of social norms. (Of course, as rapidly as social norms are changing complicates things a bit, but that is another discussion.) The narrow, yellowish middle divider is representative of the Spirit of Truth, the Light of the World, the Living God, Jesus.
This narrow way between black and white touches both sides of the dichotomy, up close and personal, and calls to both sides to stop satisfying the soul according to man's wisdom: the black side = the "wisdom" we call street sense, and the white side represents the "wisdom" of man's moralistic religions, including Christian religion. To be in the yellow, means to be fully living a life in-dwelt by the Spirit of Jesus, thus knowing the fulfillment of satisfaction for the soul as is only found through the righteousness of Christ.
The young brothers are demanding reality and waiting to hear teaching which reveals the Truth of the narrow way. The narrow way is not doctrine or law. It is the narrow way of spirit life, trusting in Jesus alone for our righteousness, and thus ushering the individual into Kingdom reality. Spirit life eschews religious good works. The narrow way is life which is secure enough to embrace the non-believer fully though he or she walks in the wisdom of darkness.
The younger brothers will rise up when the sons of God reveal themselves.
That sums it up for me. And I love that black/white image. I'm stealing it... ;-)