"Love one another earnestly from a pure heart," 1 Peter 1:22.
Not so much a skeptic, perhaps, but certainly fond of irony, someone observed Jesus came preaching the kingdom of heaven, but out came the church. Others note the gospels speak overwhelmingly of a kingdom but the rest of the NT speaks mostly of a church. So, which is it? Hope for the kingdom of God but settle for a church of Christ? Here's the deal: When Jesus speaks of the kingdom he speaks of the church. His church, he says, will prevail. Life in the sky kingdom and life in the church are one and the same: Jesus is Lord. Jesus purifies hearts. He calls for obedience: his new-born people must love. Love without hypocrisy. Sincerely. Earthly people newly born from above. Living still below. Blessing breaking into this old, broken world. Sky kingdom. On Earth. See God.
God draws his own to love and to do good. We find a brother or sister today. Obediently, together, we love yet another for Jesus' sake. We give heartfelt thanks for his truth.
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