Power uninterrupted by Deon Crafford

Mark 4:30-32 And he said, “With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable shall we use for it? It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when sown on the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth, yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes larger than all the garden plants and puts out large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.”

We have been dealing for some time now with the mandate of the Christian to be a catalyst for social justice and righteousness. We have spoken about the Nehemiah character of the Christian to be found building and not passively observing the ruins around them. All too often Christian people get a little stuck in the mud of ignorance, even fear. We feel as though we’re not called to be activists but that we should rather take things on the chin and let it be, ‘cause God will ultimately deal with everything and everyone. But what if His plan of intervention relies on my willingness to stand powerful amidst the collapse and corruption of the world?

If we pray “Thy Kingdom come”, what are we actually praying for – that Jesus shall return now, or that the Kingdom of God shall wash over the world. Are we praying for the reign and purposes of God to be freed and released over a decaying world. If so, how? Well, maybe it happens through Christian people that release the potential of the mustard seed that is contained in the power God bestowed on us.

The Greek word basileia used for Kingdom in the word, is not a place or a thing. It is the right or authority to rule, the royal power and dignity conferred on Christians in the Kingdom of Christ. It is this power that seeded the world with the Gospel, that powered the diminutive Paul to be a giant in transforming the world – even to this day. It is this power that made Stephen speak strong when his life was at stake, this power that made him say “forgive them” as he lay dying under the stones.

We can go on to cite many examples of people who carried within them the exponential basileia to bring the dominion and reign of God to a lost world around then. Not power in violence, but power in the spine of love, grace, truth and justice, we have been bestowed. So where do I find myself ….. hiding my potential, unplugging my royal power; or powering up and on in the person of Jesus Christ? I may pray that the Kingdom comes, but perhaps in there too is my prayer that I will find my strength in the royal power bestowed on me.

Love to all