A Fresh Perspective - June 1, 2009
In Jesus' prayer in John 17, intended mainly as instruction for Jesus' disciples, Jesus says that his disciples are in the world, but not of the world. In John's writings, "world" has both positive and negative connotations. In John 17 it refers to the values, attitudes, relationships, and activities that pervade the systems and structures of society set in opposition to the truth, justice, and compassion that characterizes God and God's will/dream for the world.
This means, for one thing, that disciples of Jesus do not derive their worth and self - image from either the negative accusations or positive recommendations of the world. Disciples of Jesus do not allow the world to claim them, name them, or define them.
Disciples, like the One they follow, find their identity in the voice of God. At Jesus' baptism by John, just before Jesus began his public ministry, the voice of God affirmed him, "You are my beloved Son; on you my favor rests" (Mark 1:11). Disciples, like Jesus, discover who they are and what they are about by listening to the voice of God: "You are my child; on you my grace is poured out."
Disciples of Jesus do not withdrawal from the world, however, nor do they turn against the world. Disciples engage the world in love and service. Jesus says in his prayer, "As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world."
Jesus' mission, which was the kingdom of God on earth, is our mission (the mission of his disciples). This primarily means two things: First, we engage the world through simple, concrete, tangible deeds of mercy. Through little (sometimes big) acts of kindness we express the love and compassion of God. Our words and actions convey God's forgiveness and love in the nurture of our relationships and the fulfillment of our responsibilities, in our families, church, work, and in all the various aspects of our lives.
Second, we confront the structures and systems of the world that create injustice, inequity, poverty, and oppression. We do what we can. We never lose sight—even while we engage in little acts of mercy—of the big picture, the grand vision of a world transformed.
While disciples of Jesus believe in the resurrection and believe that life does not end with this life, our mission relates to this world. If there is any hope that the evangelical church will have any credibility in the future, it must stop trying to enforce its particular brand of Christianity on others and be about what Jesus was about—a world transformed through love.