http://www.africa.upenn.edu/Articles_Gen/Letter_Birmingham.html
If you have not read this prophetic letter from MLK Jr., today is the day to do so. In prayer, on the morning of the 2008 Elections, the Lord brought this letter to light - at least a portion of it. He let us know that we were, as a generation, experiencing the results of our inaction to injustice as a body.
In this letter, Reverend Martin Luther King Jr. prophesied this: "But the judgment of God is upon the church as never before. If today's church does not recapture the sacrificial spirit of the early church, it will lose its authenticity, forfeit the loyalty of millions, and be dismissed as an irrelevant social club with no meaning for the twentieth century. Every day I meet young people whose disappointment with the church has turned into outright disgust."
Although many of us, because of our concerns regarding abortion, cast our vote for Senator McCain that day, the clarity of Lord came with power that evening - way before the election results were in - and He let us know that Senator Obama would be voted in and that President Obama was, in fact, a gift of mercy and redemption. It became clear that how we responded to Him - by praying for him and honoring him respectfully even though we were free to disagree about issues - and how we dealt with other injustices that would be coming into the light during his term would also bring to light what else still needed shaping (in love) in the heart of the Church.
It is clear that MLK Jr. articulated God's judgments in regard to our injustices. Take a good long look around. We are currently living them. However, as a result, we are uniquely repositioned to turn the tide. The kindness of God's righteous judgments have directed our attention to seeking His heart in worship, prayer, mission and the related answer of God's kinetic acts of justice/mercy in us and through us. Remember, the manifold wisdom of God is meant to be expressed through the Church. Lord, help us to finally do exactly that! The Lord is showing us yet again that Love and justice is still, as always, the issue of the hour. "His Kingdom come, His will be done on earth as it is in Heaven."
Don't pass by this opportunity to read this letter and allow it to poke around in places of fear, inaction or even anger. It will force you to ask the Lord, "How shall we now live?". We CAN make a difference in our time frame and do a stunning thing: "Love our enemies, bless those who persecute us, do good to those who hate us and pray for those who use us and persecute us. love, t
http://www.africa.upenn.edu/Articles_Gen/Letter_Birmingham.html
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