Revival is the Key for the environment!

Editor’s note:
This post is part of the Blog Action Day movement: thousands of blogs talking about one topic on one day. 15^th October 2007 is Blog Action Day for the topic of “The environment”.

My blog is about Revival, and the Kingdom of God. You would think that this blog post on the environment is a little off-topic to say the least then. Think again. Christians generally receive a bad rap in the press for their stand (or lack of one) on the issues of the environment). It is the heart of God to totally renew the face of the earth. Then why do Christians get such a bad rap when it comes to the environment? Why are they perceived as not caring for the environment or not doing enough for it? It is my conviction that the environment is a “Kingdom” issue that needs to be addressed.

1. Issues of justice

The environment, noble and important as it is, must always come second to issues of morality or justice. Much as we would like to see solutions to problems such as global warming or the melting of the polar icecaps, I believe that the cry of God for His children is over the sin of the world, the suffering and heartache and the lack of righteousness that so hurt His heart. Compared to abortion, drug abuse, addictive patterns, the decline of morality in our societies, poverty and hunger, the environment does not seem as important and should not hijack the limelight and focus of resources from these other causes that involve the suffering of people. You may disagree, but justice is the foundation of the throne of God – He reigns and can bring to bear solutions to all our problems (the environment included) when there is a foundation of justice and righteousness on the earth. Justice should therefore be the focus of our attention in the global debate.

2. Issues of stewardship

That said, the environment involves our stewardship of the planet and its resources. The earth is the Lord’s and all its fullness so ultimately we are accountable as to how we use or abuse this big rock. If the earth is the Lord’s we are to care for it in a way that reflects and understanding of that truth. I normally care for another’s possessions with respect and even ‘fear’.

3. Issues of the Kingdom

Not one to want to get into a deep word here on my eschatology, but an invasion of the Kingdom of Heaven does guarantee a renewal of the earth and its resources. This will happen through divine wisdom given to His sons and daughters. In the early kibbutz movement in Israel the dessert lands that they were settling on were harsh and foreboding – it was known as “dos gepeigerte land“—”the country that had died,” yet a conviction in their heart said, “everywhere the Jewish laborer goes, the divine presence goes with him.” The result of this was that where dessert once stood lush orchards and fields pregnant with crops were soon seen gracing the face of the land. A true miracle had occurred.

Imagine what it will look like when “everywhere the [Christian] goes, the divine presence goes with him”, and paradise can be seen springing up where a “country that had died” once stood.

4. Issues of wisdom

Wisdom exists to bring the glory of God into the mundane. We live in a society that is bursting at the seams with information, but is starved for wisdom. True Divine Wisdom will be poured out on His people in these last days where many of today’s challenges will be solved. Just like the Queen of Sheba was astounded with the seemingly normal things of King Solomon – the house that he had built, the food on his table, the seating of his servants, the service of his waiters and their apparel, his cupbearers and their apparel, and his entryway by which he went up to the house of the LORD (2 Chronicles 9:3-4) – many of this world’s dignitaries will be awed by the display of God’s grace and wisdom in and through a people.

The environment is a critical issue to be sure, but the pursuit of justice, God’s divine presence, and wisdom must take the preeminence. Upon that foundation will issues of stewardship rest secure. That my dear reader is an inconvenient truth.

Technorati Tags: Environmentalism, Justice, Wisdom, Kingdom of Heaven, Blog Action Day