Discipleship as Nonviolent Love and Peacebuilding

And lastly, we focused on the first of four statements that are in there. Blessing that Christ loves for all people regardless of race, race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, religious identity, faithful discipleship in Christ calls us to extend, welcome and hospitality to all. And this statement is a reminder that as followers of Christ, we're not called to determine who is and who is not worthy of God's love and of God's grace. Instead, we are called to show love, to show compassion, and to bring hope to those who need it the most desperately. [00:41:10] (42 seconds)  #GraceForEveryone

Christian nationalism, as we have framed it and and defined it, promises that God's name will come from control, through power and through winning. But Jesus shows us a kingdom that looks like a cross, not a sword. A towel and a basin, not a throne. A savior who would rather die for his enemies than destroy them. [00:51:10] (27 seconds)  #CrossNotSword

There was a long silence because it's hard to keep fighting with someone who just handed you a victory. By the end of that day, they rebuilt the fence together right down the middle. But there was something that had changed, something that was different. It wasn't just a boundary anymore. It was a reminder. Peace mattered more than being right. [00:48:18] (27 seconds)  #PeaceOverBeingRight

So every small act matters. Every time we choose patience over rage, Every time you seek understanding instead of victory. Every time you forgive and prevent, you just feel like the right thing will feel justified. Every time you build bridges or others build walls, these aren't small things. These are signs of the kingdom. [00:52:25] (27 seconds)  #EveryActMatters

But we pursue these things with tools of the kingdom, mercy, truth, sacrifice, forgiveness, and not with coercion or domination. Because the moment we rely on fear or force to secure God's purposes, we've already forgotten the way of Jesus. [00:50:47] (23 seconds)  #MercyNotMight

And remember we said the kingdom isn't something to be built. The kingdom is within us and among us. Our witness is not a nation defended by violence, but a people that are formed by love. Not strength that crushes, but courage that heals not enemies that eat it, but enemies embrace. [00:52:52] (27 seconds)  #KingdomWithinUs

Christian nationalism by the definition that that we have used chooses in contrast then, chooses to set aside those who don't align with certain standards or with certain beliefs and who don't look and act a certain way. It becomes the norm to choose who does and does not receive grace and who and who is not welcome. And, friends, that is not the message of Christ that we see through his life, death, and resurrection. And it is not the God that is revealed to us throughout all the scripture. [00:41:52] (38 seconds)  #RejectChristianNationalism

And that last point from a few weeks ago, the god's people witnessed like how they live. That reading from Isaiah described the servant as a light to the nations, bringing freedom and sight, not through conquest, but through faithfulness. And the Baptist understand this understand this as a call to witness rather to rather to control. God does not advance justice by forcing belief or by seizing power, but by forming a people whose lives reflect God's character. [00:39:34] (35 seconds)  #WitnessNotControl