Faith That MattersSample

DON’T REJECT THE WORLD—RENEW IT

- N. T. Wright



If the church is to be renewed in its mission precisely in and for the world of space, time, and matter, we cannot ignore or marginalize that same world. We must rather claim it for the kingdom of God, for the lordship of Jesus, and in the power of the Spirit so that we can then go out and work for that kingdom, announce that lordship, and effect change through that power.

The mission of the church must therefore include, at a structural level, the recognition that our present space, time, and matter are all subject not to rejection but to redemption. Living between the resurrection of Jesus and the final coming together of all things in heaven and earth means celebrating God’s healing of his world, not his abandoning of it; God’s reclaiming of space as heaven and earth intersect once more; God’s redeeming of time as years, weeks, and days speak the language of renewal; and God’s redeeming of matter itself, in the sacraments, which point in turn to the renewal of the lives that are washed in baptism and fed with the Eucharist.

 

Jesus prayed that his Father wouldn’t remove us from the world but instead protect us as we reclaim, redeem, and renew it.

Lord, help me see how you are redeeming this world even now; show me how to be an agent of that change. Amen.