"When the Kingdom is manifested,...

[bbyrd009]

...it's rather obvious. It doesn't look like a church building. It doesn't necessarily look like a group of religious people professing certain things--including the profession that they are Christian. It doesn't necessarily look like a group of people advocating the right political or ethical causes.It doesn't look like a group who are--or who at least believe them selves to be--morally superior to others, telling them how they should live. It doesn't look like a group using swords, however righteous they believe their sword-wielding to be. It rather looks like people individually and collectively mimicking God. It looks like Calvary. It looks Christian, whether it identifies itself as such or not. When people are "coming under" others to love and serve them, without regard to how much or how little those others deserve it, and without regard for their own interests and reputation, the kingdom of God has come."
G Boyd The Myth of a Christian Nation

[Austin]

Originally Posted by bbyrd009

...it's rather obvious. It doesn't look like a church building. It doesn't necessarily look like a group of religious people professing certain things--including the profession that they are Christian. It doesn't necessarily look like a group of people advocating the right political or ethical causes.It doesn't look like a group who are--or who at least believe them selves to be--morally superior to others, telling them how they should live. It doesn't look like a group using swords, however righteous they believe their sword-wielding to be. It rather looks like people individually and collectively mimicking God. It looks like Calvary. It looks Christian, whether it identifies itself as such or not. When people are "coming under" others to love and serve them, without regard to how much or how little those others deserve it, and without regard for their own interests and reputation, the kingdom of God has come."
G Boyd The Myth of a Christian Nation

You will find a lot of what you just said in the book of Acts. it describes the believers in the early assembly of God, however they also were not totally perfect in all things and had to be under certain leadership as well as follow certain doctrine which thew Lord revealed through his holy servants.

[bbyrd009]

Well, I'm finding this book quite religious, but that is my cross to bear, with these awesome flashes of...um, "recognize that you prolly won't be actually quoting much Scripture if you are following Christ, except maybe in your prayers to God that you may live one more day." Lol. Just for a third reflection, hear God say

"Today is the last day of the rest of your life,"

which I can dig up some Scripture for, should anyone's tester be down.

[KeptByTheWord]

Originally Posted by bbyrd009

It looks Christian, whether it identifies itself as such or not. When people are "coming under" others to love and serve them, without regard to how much or how little those others deserve it, and without regard for their own interests and reputation, the kingdom of God has come."
G Boyd The Myth of a Christian Nation

Not sure what is meant here by "coming under" ...

But, I do believe that when the BODY of Christ, (church meaning people and not a building), when the body/members begin to love one another, (John 13:34 a new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have also loved you, that ye also love one another) so when we begin to serve and love others without expecting anything in return, as Jesus did.... when the FRUIT of the spirit is the measuring stick, and NOT the gifts of the spirit.... when these things begin to come to pass, that will be the TRUE church, body of believers, and it probably won't be found inside a denomination or building.

[bbyrd009]

Originally Posted by KeptByTheWord

Not sure what is meant here by "coming under"

Ah, the author's way of saying what you just did-not exhibiting a "power over" mentality, but a "coming under" in...service. As a...mindset? Ya. Of course, people mistakenly image their eternal life as a "servant," which is so wrong.
Not the words, just our collective image here; lol, I'm currently mentally contrasting Ghandi's stature in the common mind v. someone who actively worked to seek power and use it benevolently...wait...uh, Obama? lol

[KeptByTheWord]

Originally Posted by bbyrd009

Ah, the author's way of saying what you just did-not exhibiting a "power over" mentality, but a "coming under" in...service. As a...mindset? Ya. Of course, people mistakenly image their eternal life as a "servant," which is so wrong.
Not the words, just our collective image here; lol, I'm currently mentally contrasting Ghandi's stature in the common mind v. someone who actively worked to seek power and use it benevolently...wait...uh, Obama? lol

I thought so, but just wanted to clarify.... thanks!

[bbyrd009]

yw