This past January, America honored and celebrated the life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Dr. King advocated non-violent direct action as a means of exposing injustice(s) and thereby the promotion of justice (righteousness) for all. Dr. King was a gifted leader, superb orator, courageous believer and reformer.
Below is a brief excerpt from a letter made famous from Dr. King titled, "Letter From a Birmingham Jail" written on April 16, 1963.
"There was a time when the church was very powerful - in the time when the early Christians rejoiced at being deemed worthy to suffer for what they believed. In those days the church was not merely a thermometer that recorded the ideas and principles of popular opinion; it was a thermostat that transformed the mores of society. Whenever the early Christians entered a town, the people of power became disturbed and immediately sought to convict the Christians of being 'disturbers of the peace' and 'outside agitators.'
But the Christians pressed on, in the conviction that they were 'a colony of heaven,' called to obey God rather than man. Small in number, they were big in commitment. They were too God-intoxicated to be 'astronomically intimidated.'
By their effort and example they brought an end to such ancient evils as infanticide and gladiatorial contests. Things are different now. So often the contemporary church is weak, ineffectual voice with an uncertain sound. So often it is an archdefender of the status quo. Far from being disturbed by the presence of the church, the power structure of the average community is consoled by the church's silent - - and often even vocal - - sanction of things as they are.
But the judgement of God is upon the church as never before. If today's church does not recapture the sacrificial spirit of the early church, it will lose its authenticity, forfeit the loyalty of millions, and be dismissed as an irrelevant social club with no meaning for the twentieth century (and beyond). Every day I meet young people whose disappointment with the church has turned into outright disgust.
Perhaps I have once again been too optimistic. Is organized religion too inextricably bound to the status quo to save our nation and the world? Perhaps I must turn my faith to the inner spiritual church, the church within the church, as the true ekklesia and the hope of the world. But again I am thankful to God that some noble souls from the ranks of organized religion have broken loose from the paralyzing chains of conformity and joined us as active partners in the struggle for freedom."
America will honor the words of Dr. King, but ignore that he called for "Creative Extremists." Jesus, Paul of Tarsus, Martin Luther, Thomas Jefferson and Abraham Lincoln were all considered extremists in their day. Dr. King said, "So the question is not whether we will be extremists, but what kind of extremists we will be. Will we be extremists for hate or for love? Be extremists for the preservation of injustice or for the extension of justice?
The Church has a mandate to speak into the issues of of today, into our society and into the hearts of humanity. This is not a day to settle or seek comfort. We must speak courageously and clearly. Let's sharpen our communication skills to those we seek to influence, that they will recognize wisdom. Let's live sacrificially for the Kingdom of God.
(portions taken from an article by Hope Taylor - International Leadership Embassy)
Posts
