Jesus changes everything A new world made possible

If the world is really a place where God blesses the poor, the hungry, and the persecuted for righteousness's sake, then we must act in accordance with that reality. To be rich and a disciple of Jesus is to have a problem. His disciples do not seek to be subversives; it just turns out that taking Jesus seriously cannot help but challenge the way things are, not to mention how we use our credit cards. When Christianity is identified with national interests  or a political party or a social ideal, it needs to be called out for what it is: idolatry. Jesus reveals God's politics,  how God reconciles people to himself and one another. In this way, Christian discipleship creates a new order in which a new humanity is born. If all Jesus meant by claiming kingship  is that he wants to rule each individual's heart, then why was he killed? Although it is good that the church is free  to preach the gospel, such freedom only matters if the church actually demonstrates God's alternative. Some marriages today are miserable   not because people are not committed to marriage, but because that is their only commitment. Charity is not about removing  all injustice in the world, but about meeting the need of our neighbors right where we find them. The violence of nations is often justified  in the name of protecting our loved ones and our way of life. Yet it is exactly those loyalties that Jesus calls into question. Excerpted from Jesus Changes Everything: A New World Made Possible by Stanley Hauerwas All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.