2.5 | kingdoms and religions

II | WORLDVIEWS

Getting woke must be done in a certain way, no matter which of these worldviews we follow in order to do it. If we get woke in the context of CT, we immerse ourselves in the study of power structures and the intersectionalities of oppression. On the other hand, the Bible says we can get woke by living in the light of Jesus and his Kingdom.

There is something in the Bible that is clear to many but not all . So this may serve as a reminder to you, or you may be learning this for the first time. The term “Christian” was used as an insult towards early Christ-followers because they were seen to act like a bunch of “little Christs.” Why is this important? The Bible, the New Testament specifically, talks about the Kingdom. Often, we see the term “Kingdom of God” as an analog for “Christianity.” Or we see it as an archaic phrase that is useful as a great movie title. Regardless of how we view the “Kingdom of God,” Jesus used specific language to refer to his mission in a specific way. A way that is much different than many Christians interpret it to be.

Being a Christian today is synonymous with being moral. Church attendance, being baptized, tithing, serving, giving, reading your Bible. Striving to be a good person. Christianity is generally having a certain belief system or religion that serves as a self-identifier. We’re Christian on top of all the other definitions we give ourselves. Being a Christian is often another box that we check—right next to “American.”

Was this Jesus’ intent? To establish a religious order and system to rival all the other world religions? To give us a methodology for generally moral behavior?

Most of what I have been taught throughout my life is related to “believing in”: Believe in Jesus so you can be saved. The hardest thing to do is just believe. All God wants you and me to do is believe in him so that we can be saved and go to Heaven. Just believe in some stuff. Everything else will take care of itself.

When I read the words of the New Testament, when I see the life of Jesus himself, I can’t help but notice how misguided this notion of “simply believing” is. In Ephesians 5, Paul doesn’t tell us to believe. He says, “Don’t live like fools.” If we’re not careful, we get caught up in thinking that if we believe, that’s all that matters. Believing matters, but it’s not the goal. Believing is something, but it’s not everything.

Believing in ≠ acting like. I think we have tried too hard to make Jesus an American. He’s convenient, he’s cool, he’s relaxed, and he wants you to be comfortable. When I read the life of Jesus or study the New Testament, I see a way of life characterized by suffering, endurance, patience, and faith. Believe, but also act based on your belief. That’s called faith. Believe, but be patient with the process. Believe, but commit yourself to loving your neighbor. Believe, but endure trials and temptations. Believe, but strive to live like Jesus every day.

Too often, belief is treated like a finishing line. Believing is like showing up to the race. Just because you showed up doesn’t mean you’re running. The easiest thing you will do in a race is stand at the starting line. Everything gets harder from there. That’s what following Jesus is like.

Paul urges us to act like wise people, because wisdom is not wisdom unless it translates into action. Don’t just believe in the light; act like we live in the light. We are to act like citizens of a kingdom. And kingdoms are different than religions. Is it possible to call myself a Christian, to believe in Jesus, and at the same time to not act like him? Absolutely. As a Christian, that’s actually the thing I’m best at: being a hypocrite. Isn’t that the reputation of Christians today? Believing in Jesus? We’re down for that. Acting like him? Well, pobody’s nerfect.

The world doesn’t need religion. The world doesn’t need believers. The world needs people who act.