Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ,
 if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory.
 – Romans 8.17

 

          Ever since I have been a little kid, I have ended the Lord’s Prayer with, “For Thine is the Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory.” Glory is one of those words we use without really pausing to understand what it means or the implications. We know that it sort of means greatness. But in our current political environment we see those who seek to bring the Kingdom, the Power, and Glory of God to earth. So perhaps, we might want to pause to understand what we mean by “The Glory.”

          In the Old Testament God’s glory is often represented by fire, lightening, and other more terrifying symbols. Yet, in the New Testament the Glory of God is revealed in Jesus. When I consider what those who seek the “Glory of God” intend, not only is it unsettling, it actually goes against what Jesus taught and the example he set. Read the Sermon on the Mount, and the entire set of teachings is about my conduct NOT yours.

          A few week back I wrote in reaction to the move to put the Ten Commandments in classrooms. Not only was it a poor selection of scripture, it showed a total lack of understanding. I spend an inordinate amount of time studying the Goat Herder’s Guide, and nowhere within it do I see our being told to tell others what to do. In fact, I see quite the opposite.

          Consider the Glory of God that was revealed in Jesus. He treated others with exceptional kindness and grace. He taught us, and still does, that we are to be servants to those around us. He condensed the will of God into one simple phrase, “in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you.”

          If you want to organize a political system that reflects the Glory of God, start with this idea. I know I am being redundant. So was Jesus. If you want a neighbourhood, or city, or province, of country that shows the Glory of God do this. “Feed the hungry, welcome the foreigner, care for the homeless, care for the sick, and visit those in prison.”

Anyway, that is my opinion