Saturday, August 13, 2005

Revolutionaries Amnesty Box and Direct Orders

Revolutionaries! Fall in!

You are standing at the position of attention, so seal your lips and open your ears!

This is your time to get rid of any and all lukewarm, baby-bottle feeding, sorry excuse for a child of God, complacent Christian contraband.

Amnesty time has begun, the box is open, and you are welcome to toss out your air condition-loving, desk job having, garrison-living, class A uniform and suit up in full battle dress gear.

Before you hit the battlefield, I have a few orders that are not options, unless you want to put your hands back in the amnesty box and trade in your BDUs for a starched shirt, pressed pants, black tie, patent leather shoes, and a shiny belt buckle. That desk chair is still comfy, and the air conditioner is nice and cool.
Otherwise, quit your whining and listen up!

There is no option for any of us to be timid or indecisive. We must be definite in our approach, firm in our purpose, and relentless in pursuit of fulfilling the mission. The battle is not pretty, nor is it a place for the spiritually lame or sleepy-eyed!

Here are the Captain's orders for The Salvation Army’s Revolutionaries:

No longer are we permitted to desire comfort rather than connection.
No longer are we permitted to be satisfied with the status quo.
No longer are we permitted to attach strings to our commitments and covenants.
No longer are we permitted to hope others will come, while we are ordered to go.
No longer are we permitted to withhold spiritual gifts as though they are ours to hold.
No longer are we permitted to enable the weak to remain weak.
No longer are we permitted to wait and hope that God will do our jobs of encouraging believers and advancing the Kingdom.
No longer are we permitted to serve when we feel up to it.
No longer are we permitted to feed on God’s feast, while others are allowed to starve.
No longer are we permitted to worship traditions.
No longer are we permitted to prevent people from experiencing the spiritual presence of Christ.
No longer are we permitted to cower before legalism and ritual.
No longer are we permitted to tiptoe with the Word of God.
No longer are we permitted to starve our minds of deeper understanding in the Word.
No longer are we permitted to accept slow death in the church, rather than actively pursue transformation.
No longer are we permitted to gossip and slander our brothers and sisters.
No longer are we permitted to hate the sinner, rather than the sin.
No longer are we permitted to choose which sinners we will love and share Christ with.
No longer are we permitted to live life outside deep and meaningful connections with God, saints, and sinners.
No longer are we permitted to do because we’ve always done.
No longer are we permitted to allow racism and prejudice.
No longer are we permitted to retire.
No longer are we permitted to privatize our walk with Christ.
No longer are we permitted to steal from God.
No longer are we permitted to lower the standards of being a Christian.
No longer are we permitted to set our own rules and agendas.
No longer are we permitted to discourage the laughter and noise of children.
No longer are we permitted to deny our leaders the right to lead.
No longer are we permitted to ignore social injustice around the world.
No longer are we permitted to quench the spirit.
No longer are we permitted to expect recognition.
No longer are we permitted to make prayer an option.
No longer are we permitted to only talk to God, and never take the time to listen.
No longer are we permitted to be weekend warriors.
No longer are we permitted to be a stumbling block.
No longer are we permitted to be perfectionists in our ministries.
No longer are we permitted to whine and complain.
No longer are we permitted to compromise our witness.
No longer are we permitted to place our names on plaques and take ownership of God’s accomplishments.
No longer are we permitted to reject homosexuals, prostitutes, prisoners, and the insane.
No longer are we permitted to bless in the light and curse in the dark.
No longer are we permitted to worship God less than every minute of every day.
No longer are we permitted to trust God as a last resort or a second option.
No longer are we permitted to separate God from family, friends, work, school, and entertainment.
No longer are we permitted to waiver in our faith.
No longer are we permitted to be accountable to no one.
No longer are we permitted to put God in a box or a building.
No longer are we permitted to replace the gospel of Jesus with the gospel of church-growth.
No longer are we permitted to feed the hungry, visit prisoners, and clothe the naked with pious words and fancy prayers.
No longer are we permitted to offer ministry as long as it doesn't cost anything.
Finally, no longer are we permitted to accept temporary orders. "We'll fight to the very end!"

For those of you who choose to get rid of your ironing board and cuff-links, grab your ruck, boots, and camo! You are chosen!

REVOLUTIONARIES!
On the command to fall out, grab your gear and hit the battle field!
FALL OUT!
The Amnesty box is set to self-destruct in five minutes.