If "do not worry" [Matthew 6:25-34] is counted as part of the transforming initiative, it breaks our normal pattern, for it is a negative verb rather than an imperative;...And it fits with the vicious cycle just named: attempting the impossible by serving both God and mammon, one ends up in the condition of being anxious about possessions.
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When we make the critical life decision to devote our "eyes" and "heart" - ourselves - to participation in the reign of God we break loose from the vicious cycle of "mammonism" and are set free to live for justice with singleness of purpose.
(From Following Jesus in a Contemporary Context, Stassen and Gushee, page 412-413)
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Going through the course, Christian Ethics: Money, Sex and Power, the authors of the textbook makes a claim that the Sermon on the Mount is not just an idealistic standard for us to achieve. Rather, the focus is on the reign of God as He advances His Kingdom. Through participative grace, Sermon on the Mount are transforming initiatives.
To summarize, we can never achieve them by our own strength. It is through the Holy Spirit working through us that we are transform and break the vicious cycle (hating your enemies, an eye for an eye).
Often, I will tell others (and myself) to not worry about things in life. This passage is more than that. Sooner or later I will worry about things. It is inevitable. To tell oneself not to think about it will force one person to think about it ever more.
Jesus offers a solution by telling us to seek His Kingdom and His righteousness. In NIV, the heading for these verses is Do Not Worry. I guess I took the heading literally. I do tell myself, "oh Cliff, stop worrying about _____" then end up worry about it.
Jesus said it very clearly the way out of this vicious cycle of worrying, seek His Kingdom and His righteousness.
A lot of times, I find it hard to apply the Bible because I often think that's irrelevant to my life. Last night, I see this is as real as it gets. The application side is not to 'not worry'. Rather it is following Jesus instructions.
Seek His Kingdom and His righteousness.
Living in a wealthy nature and a secured lifestyle, I can see what Jesus is saying rings ever true-r to those living in impoverish situations.
This is why Jesus say in Matthew 5:3, blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
They are blessed because our God is a loving God who will stand for the weak and defend the poor.
And this is where God's reign and God's mercy is coming down upon us.
And this is where we see God is working on earth right now extending to those who are poor. Reconciling them and bringing them back into the community.
And this is cool. Very cool. Because we all can be witness and be part of this. And the joy we gain is insurmountable than anything on this world can offer.
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