“You’re blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.” (Matthew 5:8 // The Message) Pure-hearted and clear-seeing are symbiotic. The pure in heart see God, and those who see God purify their hearts. They see him because their vision is not impaired by …
Justice or “Just Us”?
Justice restores the community to the way God envisioned it in the beginning. For those who aren’t allergic to the phrase, let’s call it “social justice.” (Before you slam the book closed or throw your Kindle against the wall, “social” is simply a modifier to clarify that we’re not talking about justice for “just us,” …
Where Shalom is Needed Most
Shalom is tested best on society’s margins and is exposed by how the disempowered are treated. When you find an enormous discrepancy between the opportunities for the rich and the poor or the white and the black or men and women, shalom is AWOL. Systemic injustice is what someone called “violence in slow motion.” Jesus’ …
“…for they shall see God.”
Those with a pure heart can “see God” because their sight isn’t impaired by trying to focus on more than one thing at the same time. The outlook of cross-eyed Christians is blurred by competing concerns. The only thing worse than spiritual blindness is thinking you can see when you can’t (Revelation 3:18). Viewing God …
“Love Your Enemies” Suggestion or Command?
The enemy-love message is not exactly what you’d call “attractional.” Sadly, it’s easier to gather a crowd with the message about a God who blesses our battles and hates our enemies as much as we do. Fear, anger, and hate are more popular than love and more natural to our darker selves. Unrestricted love is …
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