Jones: the party vs. the Kingdom

Monday, June 1, 2015
    Feast of Justin, Martyr at Rome, c.165
    Commemoration of Angela de Merici, Founder of the Institute of St. Ursula, 1540
Meditation:
    [Jesus:] “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”
    —Matthew 6:33 (NIV)
Quotation:
    It seems to me that the only way out is for the Christian movement to renounce party allegiance as primary and make the Kingdom of God primary. “Seek ye first the Kingdom of God...and all these things shall be added unto you.” But if we seek first the party, then all these things shall be subtracted from us—as now. After making the Kingdom first we could say to the parties: “We will stand with you to the degree that you stand for the Kingdom. When you break with that Kingdom, we break with you. For to us the Kingdom loyalty is first, last, and always.”
    ... E. Stanley Jones (1884-1973), The Christ of the American Road, Abingdon-Cokesbury Press, 1944, p. 186-187 (see the book)
    See also Matt. 6:33; Isa. 29:13-14; Matt. 5:6; 15:7-9; Luke 12:31; John 6:27; 1 Cor. 1:10-13
Quiet time reflection:
    Lord, lead Your people out of division. CQOD    Blog    email    RSS
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