The Gospel of Not-In-Power

This is Good News, Too

Those who follow Jesus are never in the majority...never in control of the culture. That's right. Never. I do not think that is an overstatement.

Most of the time when Christians think we are in power, we are using sinful tactics to promote "Godly" ways. I think if we knew it we would run from it, but the truth still remains that we will often settle for "worldly" ways for a little bit of power than to wait for the Lord to show his power in his ways.

Just Like the Fruit, Worldly Power was There for Jesus to Take

In Matthew 4:7-9, Jesus was offered control over the accusers's dominion. It was there for Jesus' to take. He would have made a political difference. He would have changed the systems and structure of the world that create oppression for those who do not have power. He could have done more practical good than I can think through.

But, he would have never lived a crucified life. His power would have been a diminishing power, not the resurrection power that radiates from him.

He would have never dealt with the "root" of the issue (our sin and relational separation from God) and just dealt with the "fruit" of the problem.

Jesus did not bow the the tempter for many reasons, but one of them is that he was not (is not) "of" this world. He is uniquely different...and more alive. Jesus welcomes us not to a life of dominating power over others (even for good), but living out his freeing, healing resurrection power.

The Difference Difference Makes

We will always be different. But it is a kind of different that isn't awkward and disconnected with what is going on around us.

It is the kind of "different" that reminds the people around us that what we see in this world is not and is not all that there is. Our "different" reminds the world that God's kingdom is what we have always longed for in ways we may never have recognized.

"If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you." (John 15:19 ESV)