In the aftermath of the shootings at the Planned Parenthood in Colorado recently, as well as the climate talks in Paris, this post is dedicated to one end: To draw our attention as Jesus followers to our mission in Christ; quote: “Christians are called to wage spiritual warfare (Eph. 6:10–17) against evil through prayer, evangelism, and social action.” – (see ReKnew Blog Post here)
Prayer
From the ReKnew blog comes another excellent piece on prayer. What it says about prayer most definitely can be applied to the world of animal welfare. And it is imperative that we do so. All of creation has been placed into mankind’s hands. We were given dominion from the beginning. At our indiscretion tyranny was released upon creation. Through what Jesus did on the cross; through aligning our will with the Father’s through relationship with Christ; through not conforming to the patterns of this world and being transformed by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:2 – our thoughts aligning with the Creators), we work together with the Father to reverse the very patterns created by our indiscretion. Faith-filled prayer empowers us to free other people, and by freeing other people and praying for the release of creation from our Satanic influenced despotism, we can begin to reverse the curse upon creation.
Evangelism
I’ve come to view evangelism as something we become, not so much what we do. By this I Mean that how we reflect Jesus in our lives to the world of the hurting and the hungry for LIFE in their lives, can do more in attracting people to the Gospel message and to Jesus than anything we say, than how much knowledge we have theologically. Sure we are to be “prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks [us] to give the reason for the hope that [we] have;” (1 Peter 3:15) it is the example of our lives that attracts the world to ask this question, and therefore, to build relationships with people where we can help them receive Christ.
Our example of Jesus in the world in what we eat and how we live on the planet also will show those around us what our Father in heaven wishes for all creation more so than anything we might try to convince them of with rhetoric. God wants peace. He wants it between all of us no matter what race we are, what country we live in, and he wants it between us and the animal kingdom and the earth, as well.
Love2Justice.wordpress.com photo
Social Action
The mark of Christian social action I have come to believe includes Prayer as well as Evangelism, and upon these two combined we build a foundation for Social Action.
My friend recently posted on her Facebook page right after the shootings at the Colorado Planned Parenthood,
“Violence towards animals is the biggest predictor of violence towards humans. The Planned Parenthood shooter had a history of abusing animals, as did numerous school shooters, serial killers, domestic abusers, rapists, and all other violent offenders.
Animal abuse transcends race, religion, gender, and political parties. The FBI has recognized this and has designated animal cruelty as a top-tier felony. Why is this not a topic of discussion when people are murdered?
It seems crazy to me that SO many people continue to fight over if Christians/Muslims/gun owners/police officers/blacks/whites/Syrians/refugees are the “bad” ones. The dangerous people are the ones who enjoy hurting those they perceive as inferior.”
She coins it. “The dangerous people are the ones who enjoy hurting those they perceive as inferior.” Whether the victim is human or animal or the earth itself, should not be the subject of our inquiry. The very definition of power should be at the root of our inquiry – and the church needs to address these issues at that root. The Gospel message is that the “all” in “all flesh” includes animals, which inevitably includes the earth itself. For Christ to be “all in all” (Col 3:11) we must include the whole creation. The church needs to do this in order to reflect the true meaning of power behind our dominion – self-sacrificial Christ-like love and concern for the well-being of every living thing including the planets.
Col 1:19-20: “For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven.”
The job of the church is to bring Christ’s love for all creation to the creation – people and animal alike. Non-violence is central to love – for all creation. This includes any violence we impose upon the earth, which is clearly being acknowledged, as all countries who attended the Paris talks recently on climate change have conceded to. The way we pillage and use the earths resources is indeed destroying it, along with everything else on the planet.
Every single one of us because we walk and live and breath on this earth is responsible for it and ALL life on it. We are supposed to be the higher moral agents, caring for and protecting (which includes speaking up for) that which is helpless under our power from those who would misuse that power.
“When the entire creation becomes the domain of God’s reign, humanity and all of creation shall be free of violence, as it was always intended to be (Gen. 1:20-30, cf. Isa 11). Empowered by the Spirit, we who have already been saved from the tyranny of the violent Powers are called to live free from all violence now.” ReKnew.org
Conclusion
Jesus’ ministry was (and still is) about revolt. Jesus was and is revolting against the tyranny of this world’s ruler, Satan, and all that oppress God’s people and the creation. His ministry was and is about seeking to win back for the Father what the enemy (Satan and his minions) has stolen and is destroying, using mankind as his puppets to do so. Jesus took back mankind’s rightful place of dominion over the earth, empowering humans to rise up against the cosmic enemy and thief (2 Cor 4:14). Through the power of the Holy Spirit we are to join him, manifesting Christ’s victory over darkness in part by taking our rightful place over creation as the loving image bearer of the Father that creation is longing to experience and to see.
“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed.” Proverbs 31:8
“For the creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed.” Romans 8:19
Thank you for reading and following our blog. We pray you are blessed by it and will share it with others. Thanks again! God bless you and yours. ~Kathy
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Roslyne
Thank you for this excellent post Kathy. I really like the way you combine prayer and evangelism to form a foundation for social action. I love the quote on prayer, “The primary purpose of prayer, as illustrated throughout Scripture, is precisely to change the way things are. . .” And how you point out on evangelism that “our example of Jesus in the world in what we eat and how we live on the planet also will show those around us what our Father in heaven wishes for all creation.” Empowered by the Holy Spirit, as followers of Christ, we are to revolt against evil and, in His loving image, live free from all violence.
Kathy
Thank you Ros, appreciate the encouragement! I pray it blesses a lot of people!!
I am thinking about, after the new year, starting a prayer group that meets here in my physical locale once a month to lift up creation, the churches, and the nations in prayer. I would include the groups by posting something about them, perhaps listing the monthly prayer meeting on a calendar that we can put on the blog in the margin, too. We’ll see how it shapes up. I feel God has been calling me to this for awhile now. Will bring it up between you and Marcello in a message at some point after the holidays. I still also want to make the blog more user friendly; I love the new ReKnew blog, but couldn’t afford what that likely took to create. There was one person referred to me, but, that one also was a bit costly. I don’t know anyone personally who is close enough to me friends wise who is a techie (my friend who helped me before moved, but she also did not have a lot of time nor knowledge of WordPress). Let’s keep in our prayers that the Lord will send us someone to make the blog awesome!!
Thanks again! Love and God bless.
Kathy
Roslyne
Will do that Kathy – that certainly would be awesome! Wonderful idea to start a prayer group in your locale – would love to do the same here, but Christian animal welfarists are hard to find in my locality!! I agree it would be great to link it with the on-line groups too. Love and Blessings, Ros
Marcello
Very good and solid article Kathy. It’s so important to realise that behind all these issues there is a spiritual reality, “our battle is not against flesh and blood” Ephesians 6:12. Blessings
Kathy
Marcello, thank you, appreciate the encouragement! Yes, our battle is against the powers and principalities. Blessings to you as well.
Laura
Hi! I noticed that you have been using my pictures on your website. It would be nice if you would ask permission to use them in the future and also add the author credits in them. I would gladly let you use them.
Kathy
Hi Laura, I so apologize, I did think the photo was of public domain and that you, too were using it. I do appreciate that you would allow us to use it and will be most happy to put up the link to give you credit for it – would you kindly send that to me? Would appreciate that very much!
Again, so sorry, please forgive me, thank you for your grace. As soon as we receive the link will add it to the post for your credit – thank you!
God bless, Kathy