In our introduction to Fast Forward 2018, we looked at how the law of opposite actions a.k.a. “Jesus Judo” can be used to turn the devil’s attacks against him. This week we begin looking at some specific areas where the principles of Jesus Judo can be used to transform culture into Kingdom. In the most famous prayer of all time, Jesus taught His disciples to pray, “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.” (Matthew 6:10)
A little meditation on this prayer will blow your mind. Can you imagine the implications of God’s will being done in the earth AS it IS in Heaven? There would be no more pain, hurt, sin, loss, frustration, and other negative things. Everything would be positive, loving, peaceful, joyous, productive, and more. Despite the foreknowledge that He would go to the cross, that Judas would betray him, Peter would deny him and so much more, Jesus still told His disciples to actively pray for the earth to be transformed into the Kingdom of God. Why? Because he knew it would eventually happen. But that’s another article.
As we pray for the environment of Heaven to saturate the earth, our actions should also line-up with our prayers. Our actions reveal our faith. Anyone can pray for rain, but the person of faith carries an umbrella. It’s some of those actions I wish to speak about for the next several articles.
Between the 4th and 6th century, a list of seven Christian virtues and a list of seven deadly sins were compiled and widely adopted into the Christian faith. Though many believe they refer to a specific Bible passage, they do not. Rather they are adopted from various scriptures and doctrine. Each item in the virtue list corresponds with an item in the sins list. This works perfectly with the concept of Jesus Judo. If you want to overcome sin you must act on the opposite virtue.
The first virtue is Chastity – also referred to as purity. Its opposing sin, is Lust. This is the huge Elephant in the room of the modern culture and unfortunately even the modern church. While sexual freedom was a prevalent theme in the 1920’s and in the 1960’s, those movements don’t even come close to the demonic demands of the current generation. Through media, business, politics, the courts, education and religion, many demand physical intimacy and sexual gratification without consequences. Sadly they don’t understand that immutable spiritual laws are not amendable by mere humans.
While many blame “outdated” morality, religion or even Christians for the plethora of related consequences, the truth is much simpler, “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.” (Galatians 6:7)
If illicit sex were merely physical, it would not be as bad, but it is in-fact also spiritual. This is the reason that Paul wrote, “And don’t you realize that if a man joins himself to a prostitute, he becomes one body with her? For the Scriptures say, ‘The two are united into one.’” (1 Corinthians 6:16) Indeed the implications and scriptural warnings are sufficient to fill volumes. For now, let us simply head the words of Ephesians 5:3, “Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people.” By following this prescription, we can avoid much of the cultures identity confusion, broken relationships, overwhelming emotional baggage and many diseases.
To some, it may seem that I came out of the dug-out swinging hard, but I just simply started at the top of a list that has been part of the Christian faith for over 1,500 years. I know it won’t be popular in many circles, but God never told me to be a Pop-star. He has on the other hand called me to be a Prophet. I’m not called to flow with the culture, I’m called to be counter-cultural. If you are a child of God and a citizen of His Kingdom, so are you.
So as you Fast Forward into 2018, apply your Jesus Judo to the devil’s sexual assaults and find the real love and intimacy that God has had for you all along!