What is God’s perfect dream where you live?
What does it look like to live out the Gospel in our neighbourhood? That was the challenge from Shane Claiborne during the Sunday morning session at the Baptist Assembly
Speaking on Matthew 25:31-46 (The Sheep and the Goats), Shane said that we will not be judged on our doctrine - we are going to be asked: 'When I was hungry, did you feed me? When I was in prison, did you visit me?'
It's not that our works earn our salvation - our works demonstrate our salvation.
He said that no one is beyond redemption - something showed by the story of the woman caught in adultery.
In this story, 'the only one who has a right to throw a stone has no desire to.'
This means that the closer we get to Jesus, it should transform us into gracious people.
Shane said that we need to remember God is healing hurts, coming to heal broken people. In a groaning world, we can join in with Him in healing hurts.
The darkness is not of the tomb - but of the womb - the world is pregnant with change and as Christians we can be the midwives helping to bring forth the change God is seeking.
Shane spoke of the work he is involved with in Philadelphia.
'What would it look like for God’s most perfect dream to be realised in our town?
'For us that meant not losing people to drugs, guns, no death penalty.'
He asked: 'What is God’s perfect dream? How can you seek a society that is realigned with God?'
He said that the closer we get to Jesus, the more we will understand the problems and injustices of the world - and the world has become 'way too adjusted' to racism and financial inequalities.
'We need more maladjusted people,' said Shane. 'We need holy trouble makers. Creators of divine mischief. People who refuse to conform to the status quo – people who insist on building the world God has dreamed of.'
Listen to Shane's address from 45.18:
Baptist Times, 17/05/2021