BLOG 9/22/14. COLONIES OF GOD’S NEW HUMANITY: NOT AN ESCAPE
From the beginning of the New Testament documents there is the inescapable conclusion that Jesus came to inaugurate a New Creation, and that those who follow him are to be dynamic agents in that “all things new” reality. It is also inescapable that such followers are not to be rugged individualists, but those who become part of a whole recreated community that is corporately engaged in the drama of incarnating Christ’s eschatological design by demonstrating reconciled relationships … but also by its very nature spontaneously reaching out to the community until “this gospel of the kingdom is proclaimed through out the whole world.” … But then Jesus never gives any plan for this other than his command to make disciples from all nations.
He doesn’t give a plan, but it emerges unexpectedly in Paul’s writings. We have been looking at that fascinating Ephesians 4 passage where the ascended Lord gives gifts to his church/colonies (not to individuals but to the community) for the purpose of equipping all of God’s people for their participation in this ministry. This equipping task in not given to ‘church professionals’ (which we have invented later) but to the more mature practitioners within the colonies. The more mature make it their purpose to model and mentor the newer folk so that they are equipped to be part of the missionary role (apostle), to be discerning and alert to the cultural setting in which they live (prophet), to be spontaneous, authentic, and knowledgeable communicators of the thrilling news of Christ (evangelists), and, of course, this requires that they be formed by and discipled into the life and teachings of Christ so that they too can engage in this ministry (teaching shepherd). Paul doesn’t leave it there. What follows is something of an algorithm for the well-equipped follower of Christ.
It is no accident that at the dramatic conclusion of this letter is the sobering word that this world is not at all neutral, but is inhabited by a prince of darkness who will in every way seek to distort and to derail this New Creation enterprise of Christ. Paul, therefore, gives a seven-fold set of garments, modeled after the armor of Roman soldiers who would be familiar to all of those of that day. ‘Heads up’ then, as I attempt to spell out these seven critical and necessary parts of the Christian’s whole armor—sort of a handy guide to equipping/survival.
1.) It begins with a passion for and focus, and transformational engagement with the truth, who is Christ: “I, even I, am the … truth,” Jesus said. “The truth shall set you free … the Son sets you free”—this identification of the truth and Jesus the Son (John 8:31ff.). 2.) Then there is the ‘breastplate of righteousness” and that in scripture always has the sense of our behavior that in conformity with the design of God—what some call ortho-praxis—the daily ‘walk’ that others see. 3. Followers of Christ have on their feet “the readiness of the gospel of peace,” i.e., every follower is an eager and ‘ready’ messenger of the message of peace with God through Christ. 4.) Because the devil has a way of hurling all kinds of destructive stuff their way, Christ’s followers have the large body shield of faith (the term used refers to such large shield carried by Roman solders) of: “I believe, I have cast my lot with my faithful Savior. Get hence, Satan.” 5. Christ’s followers are not mindless, but they have disciplined minds, and so: the helmet of Salvation—their minds are formed by the gospel of the Kingdom. 6.) Their aggressive weapon is the sword of the Spirit which is the preaching/communication of Christ—every believer is a joyous communicator. 7.) Finally, the seventh piece is: “Praying always in the Spirit for all …” i.e., this is not a humanly achievable calling, but requires the perennial engagement with the power of God through prayer. Is that fascinating, or what?
