4 May 2006

We continue to look at the offensive power of the Reign of God, in "Christ and Violence" by Ronald Sider.

To say that we are not to take the offensive against the powers is to ignore the whole thrust of god's actions in history. In the incarnation, God Himself steps into history to join battle with the forces of evil. Jesus took the offensive and constantly battled with the demonic forces during His public ministry. He took the offensive against the Pharisees and also against the Sadduccees because of their economic exploitation in the temple. He continued His offensive against the principalities and powers when He disarmed them at the cross and led them as captives in His triumphal procession. As the body of Christ, we are to continue the mission of the incarnate One in the world today and that includes an ongoing offensive against the fallen principalities and powers, a vigorous, active use of power in the search for greater justice in society.

This offensive action must pursue truthfulness and be open and clearly visible for all to see. The risk of such openness is that the principalities and powers and those people who dare not to disagree or move away from these powers will use all the power they possess to put an end to such offensive moves. Therefore, the work at hand for the followers of Jesus is to continue on with the witness even in the face of the repercussions that may take place against such an offensive witness. Hear also the second way to understand the word offensive. It is first that movement that is in opposition to the ways of the principalities and powers. It is then also offensive to them in the sense that "no one resists the powers." Everyone is to honor the powers and principalities and yet we dare to live contrary to their games and the way power is used in the world. When we do not give the principalities and powers the respect they want...or honor them as they want...we enter into offensive actions that are viewed as disruptive and inappropriate. The truth is, resistance to the powers is disruptive and inappropriate to their rule...but justice and mercy and peace are usually disruptive and inappropriate to those who want to hold onto the power they have and claim to have made for themselves.

Connection: One of the best ways to be offensive is to be truthful. Then again, we must always be willing to hear the truth when it is directed toward us.

Lord, make us instruments of your will so that we will boldly walk along the way of the cross and stand for a vision for life that may work in contrary ways to the way the world's powers seek to move us. Amen.