GlocalNet

Can the seed of the Gospel of the Kingdom of God work in Jerusalem? It must. If it can’t work there it can’t work anywhere. E. Stanley Jones wrote that the reason the Gospel of the Kingdom spread like it did was because it started in Jerusalem. Had it started in Galilee it may have only been viewed as a cult or another would be messiah, but the fact that it took root in Jerusalem--the hardest place for it to take root--meant that it could and would work anywhere. If the Gospel only works in the easy places, then how strong is the Gospel. But if the Gospel is the Gospel, then difficulty is no issue.

Where in the world is there anymore conflict? Where would more glory to God be brought than if Jesus were to be the determining factor of peace in Israel? In terms of war, conflict, destabilization, there is no place on the face of the earth more important than Jerusalem and Israel. If you solve that problem, you solve much of the problems of the Middle-East. I know, many middle-eastern nations use that just as an excuse. Well, let’s take that excuse off the table.

Jesus was about reconciliation--not war. Not saying there are not just wars. I am saying when I read or hear leading “evangelical” TV personalities, pastors, and evangelist and others calling for unilateral strikes on nations “in the name of God,” I shake my head. I have a hard time picturing Jesus sitting behind the control panel of a missile launching site! Our first response must be reconciliation. Isn’t this what we’ve been called to do?

I was visiting with a Congressman and he was in a prayer meeting of believers in government praying for the peace process, and one intercessor literally began to pray against it! How can that be? What Christian religious insanity would pray against peace. That goes against everything Christ taught and practiced.

2Cor. 5:18 Now all these things are from God who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation. 20Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.

Another question. Are we one body or two? Read this passage--look:
1. It’s always been about Faith--OT and NT
2. Sons of Abraham of those who put their faith in God regardless of race.
3. Abraham was a promise to all nations, not just one.
4. Jew and Greek, Male and Female, all the same now.
5. We are all heirs of Abraham!

Gal. 3:6 Even so Abraham BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS RECKONED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS. 7 Therefore, be sure that it is those who are of faith who are sons of Abraham. 8 The Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “ALL THE NATIONS WILL BE BLESSED IN YOU. ” 9 So then those who are of faith are blessed with Abraham, the believer. 10 For as many as are of the works of the Law are under a curse; for it is written, “CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO DOES NOT ABIDE BY ALL THINGS WRITTEN IN THE BOOK OF THE LAW, TO PERFORM THEM. ” 11 Now that no one is justified by the Law before God is evident; for, “THE RIGHTEOUS MAN SHALL LIVE BY FAITH. ” 12 However, the Law is not of faith; on the contrary, “HE WHO PRACTICES THEM SHALL LIVE BY THEM. ” 13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us—for it is written, “CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO HANGS ON A TREE ”— 14 in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we would receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.15 Brethren, I speak in terms of human relations: even though it is only a man’s covenant, yet when it has been ratified, no one sets it aside or adds conditions to it. 16 Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. He does not say, “And to seeds, ” as referring to many, but rather to one, “And to your seed, ” that is, Christ. 17 What I am saying is this: the Law, which came four hundred and thirty years later, does not invalidate a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to nullify the promise. 18 For if the inheritance is based on law, it is no longer based on a promise; but God has granted it to Abraham by means of a promise. 19 Why the Law then? It was added because of transgressions, having been ordained through angels by the agency of a mediator, until the seed would come to whom the promise had been made.20 Now a mediator is not for one party only; whereas God is only one. 21 Is the Law then contrary to the promises of God? May it never be! For if a law had been given which was able to impart life, then righteousness would indeed have been based on law. 22 But the Scripture has shut up everyone under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. 23 But before faith came, we were kept in custody under the law, being shut up to the faith which was later to be revealed. 24 Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith. 25 But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor. 26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendants, heirs according to promise.

Paul wrote the church at Galatia because it tried to go back to the past, and he said no--the Kingdom of God is more than a physical place, the temple is now in our hearts. Jesus didn’t do away with the Old Testament or law, he merely fulfilled it.

When I was in the old city--Jerusalem, I bought a ceramic tile that is framed. it’s an Armenian Christian’s rendering of the old city and Bethlehem divided by a wall and written on the wall is Eph. 2:14 “For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall. . . “

Neither suicide bombers or 30 foot tall walls turning communities into virtual prisons and ghettos will solve the problem--only make it worse. SO HOW CAN WE AS BELIEVERS BE A PART OF THE RECONCILIATION PROCESS . . . I HAVE SOME IDEAS - I’LL TELL YOU MINE IN MY NEXT BLOG - TELL ME YOURS TODAY!!!!!