Without Resistence
Every major movement in the spiritual dimension toward Salvation and further sanctification, redemption and renewal has come with profound resistence. Not merely the entrenched legal status quo but the powers that be who wish to quash and suppress newness and fullness of life---
Jesus' redemption was opposed by the highest powers of the day-the Pharisees
Saint Francis of Assissi brought renewal against the old doctrines to a way of purity of heart and devotion and casting off materialism, violence and imperialism-to a path and way of Peace.
Martin Luther King Jr. challenged the absurd racist classist assumption that all men were created equal unless there was something darker in their skin pigment and was met with hoses, dogs and jail.
Saints Peter and Paul did jail time as well. There is a church in Rome called "Saint Peter in Chains" -St. Pietre in Vincoli-in Chains- because people who are themselves in darkness just want to lock up people who speak truth to power-who speak life to death-who insist on pure joy over perversions. An angel released Peter from the chains of his imprisonment.
You can tell the authenticity of demands and reforms of institutional stagnation and perversions into the newness and fullness of life by the opposition waged against it- the bigger the threat, the fiercer and uglier the opposition---and the greatest potential for growth, and the fullness of joy and new life at the other end.
Who are you? The jailor or the Angel who broke off the chains. Saint Peter or Paul or the people shouting -off with his head-just crucify him. Who are you?
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