There are several different categories of crime. You have heard of white collar, violent, domestic, and others. Have you ever heard of spiritual crimes? Do you think this is real even if it isn’t reported in the news? Do you think spiritual crimes would consist only of things commonly understood as sins? Does this bring to mind a small number of categories? What about interfering with someone else’s spiritual development, conducting yourself in such a way that drives others away from the Kingdom of God? What would be worse than that?

Do you see me as a King? I was asked this question at my trial as if I were a threat to the Roman empire. I answered that my kingdom was not of this world. I went on to say that if it were my followers would fight, but it was not and is still not. Have you noticed that there is a connection between violence and the Kingdoms of this world? This question of violence is just as prevalent in your time as it was in mine. But I am the Prince of Peace. I taught at great length about the Kingdom of God and invited my followers to enter it. How do you deal with the issue of violence?

Are you doing what God is asking you to do to release His Kingdom?  Every Christian must be MORE involved than the atheist is! Recent data from the Cooperative Election Study shows 20% of atheists have participated in a march or protest, compared with 6% of white evangelicals. Forty percent of atheists have contacted a public official, compared with 24% of white evangelicals. Fifty-two percent of atheists have donated to political candidates, compared with just 26% of white evangelicals.

Do you know the difference between ceremony and ritual? These words are often used interchangeably, but ceremonies are positive affirmations of the status quo, like parades, and rituals include a dark element. Do you see this in the sacraments of baptism and communion? Baptism is a ritual of burial, albeit in water rather than earth, but the Bible makes this plain, and communion is an invitation to identify with my death by drinking my blood and eating my flesh. If properly understood these are not things to engage in lightly.