K.O.G. Activism
May 28, 2008 4:10 pm Blogs
Activism. Lisa from the Simpsons. She’s always got some project or issue she is concerned about and frustrated that no one else is. Wikipedia defines activism as “intentional action to bring about social or political change.”
In San Diego, maybe because it’s a big city, maybe because it’s a city that lives much of its life outdoors, or maybe it’s because we are one of the biggest melting pot places for eveything…but there’s a ton of passionate activism grassroots action in this city. Lisa Simpson is loud in SD always saying we should do this and be a part of these things. But rarely it ever grabs. What’s the reason for our pessimism or better yet, our apathy? Maybe it has something to do with the possibility of real change? Maybe Jesus has something to do with it? Think about the activism of Jesus…
The first recorded words that Jesus preached are “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel (Mark 1:15).” That is a powerful statement when we realize the full weight of what the Kingdom of God entails.
A kingdom is ruled by a king. Jesus says he is The King and that people enter his kingdom through trusting in him. Jesus says his kingdom will one day be shown to be a real kingdom for all to see…yes crowns, thrones, knights, princesses, feasts, a powerful material and the whole deal.
Before that could happen Jesus said he must first accomplish his mission of showing what type of king is…compassionate, wise, and lays down his life for his people. That was the Jesus first coming. Jesus says the outward, full display of his kingship and his kingdom will be shown when he comes back to earth again sets up his physical rule ( Mat 13:41,43; 25:34; Lk 17:20-21; 2 Pet 1:11;)
When Jesus returns he says his government will rule over the whole world (Rev. 11:15), it will last forever (Matt 19:16,23), there will be perfect justice in all the land (Matt 25:34, 46), there will be no physical human suffering (1 Cor 15:50), there will be ever increasing joy and pleasure (Rom 14:7), and the deathly course of the plant, animal, and astronomical world will change into an order of life and peace (Is 11:6-9).
If there is such thing as real activism…lasting, social or political change, that’s for sure what be seeking, would it would want, who wouldn’t want to live in a kingdom that was like that?
The beauty of the gospel is it makes true activism possible, because it grounds activism in a heart that is changed by Jesus, has entered his kingdom, and knows what it is like and where it is headed. So, of all people, Jesus’ followers who follow him as king ought to be anxiously looking forward to the time when he will set-up his visible kingdom in full.
Between now and the time when Jesus’ kingdom is fully realized we are in an in-between time, a now and not yet time, a time for the fruit of the gospel to be at work. Much of its work can and does happen through kingdom deeds. Deeds which anticipate and look forward to Jesus future reign. That means that all things, whether it be what we eat, what we drive, what we spend, how we are treating the land, who is being neglected or experiencing in justice…all those things are gospel issues.
It is my prayer that The Resolved Church will truly become a city within the city and that begins with us caring about activism. Not because it is cool or because it is something that we are supposed to care about, but because Jesus has cared for us and he cares about those, much more than we could even imagine. Every time his future is expressed now, it is a picture of the gospel, which truly changes hearts and lives. The sad thing is so much of the activism happening in our city doesn’t have anything to do with Jesus. Christians in large are not known for caring injustices or the environment or physical health. That ought not be.
With that said, below are some activism related documentaries and organizations I’ve recently become familiar with. Check ‘em out and begin to think what “you” can within the context of the ministry of our church, to exemplify the future kingdom of Jesus in our city so that people will see and hear the gospel that Jesus loved and died for us so that we might be changed and find our glory in him.
Documentary: Maxed Out
Documentary: Save Trestles!
Documentary: Who Killed the Electric Car?
Organization: Adbusters
Organization: Alpha Project
Organization: The Belmont Foundation
Organization: Climate Crisis
Organization: Creation Care
Organization: Girls Think Tank
Organization: Kiva
Organization: Stop the Traffik.org