Revolution

Romans 13:11-14

Clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 13:14)

YOU’VE SEEN THE MOVIES, read the books, and know the theme well. The small but spirited band of fighters goes up against the huge, monolithic regime and somehow finds a way to break free from oppression. Sometimes the story is based on history—a legal battle, band of brothers, or grassroots movement. Sometimes it’s fictional—the destruction of a Death Star or a fellowship of unlikely creatures against a world of evil. In any case, it’s true. It’s a picture of overcoming unthinkable odds to accomplish whatever is good, right, and beautiful. The fact that the story seems so impossible is what makes it so compelling. We love a good revolution.

That’s our story too. We are part of a revolution. There really is an evil empire, though humanity has gotten so used to its ways that the culture of it seems kind of normal. But when you entered the Kingdom of God, you chose to walk contrary to the ways of the world, whether you intended to or not. You chose to defy your old nature. You joined a revolt.

Your revolt does not involve swords or guns, at least not in any material or conventional sense. It does, however, involve weapons of the Spirit and clothing yourself in a new culture that conflicts with the old. It fits our original design, even though that design seems nothing more than an ancient echo for many of us. We are called to bring that Kingdom culture into this world—not to tear down what has gone before but to transform it. The transformation begins in the depths of our hearts and works its way outward. Our mission is to be relentless agents of change.

Live with that sense of mission and invite others into it. You were created not to conform to the world but to conform to the image of God. Clothe yourself in the presence of Jesus and live a wonderfully subversive life. Season your world with truth and love—the kind of revolution it craves.

{Jesus, your ways are revolutionary in this world, and I embrace them fully. Give me the courage to embody the Kingdom’s culture and stand against the world’s. May your Kingdom come and your will be done in me. Amen.