Manner of Spirit
But He turned and rebuked them, and said, “You do not know what manner of spirit you are of. (Luke 9:55) Jesus Christ is not a conservative, a moderate, or a liberal. He is not an American, nor is He limited to or by any nationality. He is not pro-this or anti-that, for the Kingdom of God is not a matter of pros and cons — but a Kingdom of righteousness and truth. He is God Almighty, who is not interested in any of the politics, principles, theologies, doctrines, or systems we build. The Lord simply will not conform to our constructs, our religion, our buildings, denominations, or programs — and certainly not our principles or convictions (no matter how sincere). Beware of the temptation to mistake your passionate beliefs for His. His ways, His thoughts, and His words are higher than ours, and that will never change. Jesus did not come to give us Christian principles or convictions, but to give us abundant life — and His life does not flow to us from la...