“If we can’t learn how to peacefully interact with those that we disagree with, we are going to be in big trouble.” — Michael Snyder, https://theeconomiccollapseblog.com/how-to-survive-thanksgiving/

I think it is important to clarify one thing about my previous post here, Utopia? Or the Truth Working its Power?, as it can easily be misconstrued to read that I am advocating doing away with all laws and simply relying on redeemed human nature to live with others the way we should. Well, in a sense, I guess I am, but that does not mean that I am blind to present reality. I do recognize that most of the world, perhaps virtually everyone, is not ready for this and could not live under such a protocol or regime. People are selfish, unloving, afraid, and do not control themselves, therefore, to live in a semblance of peace with each other, they pass laws which offer (seem to offer) some form of protection against others who live the same way they do. This is human nature.

It would be easy to simply write me off as a lunatic, someone who is completely out of touch with reality, and I have no doubt that many have this opinion. However, I have done nothing more than noticed the transforming power of the gospel, in myself and those around me, extrapolating and projecting it further and further into the future, and logically coming to the end conclusion, which I happen to believe can be verified through Scripture.

“For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.” — Habakkuk 2:14

They will not hurt or destroy in all My holy mountain, for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.” — Isaiah 11:9

“He loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the lovingkindness of the Lord.” — Psalm 33:5

“…I will build My church and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.” — Matthew 16:18b

Please note that none of these scriptures nor many others like them claim that the physical presence of Jesus on Earth is required for these scenarios to be fulfilled. It is not my intention to get into a pushing, shoving match between the various factions of Christian eschatology who can’t get along with each other. Rather, I see these as hope for the future, knowing and believing that truth and righteousness will overcome evil in society, even as it works its way through individual human hearts. Whether Jesus returns before you finish reading this post or does not appear until you are long dead and forgotten is totally irrelevant to the subject. The Scripture promises that this will happen and, if you believe it, then there is no good reason not to live that way now. IF you believe this, there is no good reason not to live that way now.

“No excuse, Sir!”

My vision is not meant to be seen as an immediate cure-all, but as a life-long goal to be achieved, to be lived for, to be realized individually on a daily basis as we conform ourselves to the Image of Jesus Christ and His perfection. This is nothing different than the way that Christians are expected to live. We all understand this. No one is automatically made perfect at the time he walks down a sawdust trail at a local tent meeting, but it is presumed that, if he is sincere and honest, spiritual growth will eventually appear and bear fruit. Over time and with enough participation, these changes work their way through and into society in such a manner that the entire culture is transformed for the better. Jesus even mentioned this.

“The kingdom of heaven is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal till it was all leavened.” — Matthew 13:33

During his earthly ministry, Jesus constantly was pestered and harassed by people (including his own disciples) who wanted him to use his power to overthrow the Roman rule and establish his own kingdom. To every one of those petitions he had the same answer. “No, that’s not the way it works. I will teach you a different way. Be patient and learn.” It was not until after his death and resurrection that many of the disciples caught on and even today, 2000 years later, there is still a great deal of confusion about this. People then thought in terms of political power. People today do the same thing without ever realizing that they are repeating the same mistake over and over again, trying to contort the Gospel of Peace into an agglomeration of rules enforced by violent power, to which He Who sits on the throne has the same refrain–“No, that’s not the way it works. I will teach you a different way. Be patient and learn.”

Selah! Pause. Consider.