“4 Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, 2 so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God. 3 For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry. 4 With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you; 5 but they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 6 For this is why the gospel was preached even to those who are dead, that though judged in the flesh the way people are, they might live in the spirit the way God does. 7 The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. 8 Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: 11 whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” (1 Peter 4:1-11 ESV)

The plain antagonism, the ways a Christian stands diametrically opposed: our complaint with Received Notions makes her or him Unique and Different. This plays out, majoring in the majors, in determination to be Contrite. In determination to Receive from God’s goodness and Accept God’s perennial worry over us. It is a belligerence, a boisterousness, on a few particulars around here. Namely, that we’ve discovered a Life beyond the grave… already. Before having died, we are already Receiving the miraculous.

Unashamed, we are a strange and lightly-held Phenom: the unbearable lightness of Being, of Being… Christian. It offends the sinner; it radicalizes the disciple; it contrasts in some pre-Outbreak, pre-Fighting, pre-War positioning and repartee. We circle around each other: where, did this so-called Christ-Follower, get their Peaceful Calm? Where did they seem so unbothered, not offended, by the Reality of an Enemy? Why are they not following anger and madness to its logical extreme?

To be offensive, then, is to join Paul the apostle and each of the disciples, it is to stand Witness to some Resurrection most illustrious, most beauteous, most beguiling. Then, allow the contrarian Spirit to go for broke. Allow the Spirit to convict and convince of things, Today’s outlay more joyous than that of Yesterday. Allow the wild or weird Halo to attach, to position, to loom. Already the miraculous. Already the Resurrected. Already the Post-Animosity.

Because those who claim no discord, are living a Lie. The Christian is so utterly engaged to the Utmost, as to have swallowed the Strife whole, and snubbed its persistence and worry, digested and manifested Still Well despite its hate, turned a cool shoulder against the received notion. The Christian is not so much ironical as Patently Calm: horrifyingly evil things originate in the hearts of Man, and horrifyingly evil deeds squeeze and abuse the sinner’s peers. We are those who live on a dime, turn on a dime, live on wings and a prayer, in hope that by attributing all deeds, and all Mercies, to Christ, that some of His halo might coalesce and stick to us. 

Also we know that obsessive fault-finding, and today Announce many things that are not our cup of tea, as far as topics of contrition. Yes, we could use a little insight, some honest, back-broken, laborious, teaching on the matter: just tell me the church’s rules, and see me go boldly into the night, right? But no, they shun and give silent treatment, waiting for some Guilt to accumulate and cry out in pain. And they are offended when we don’t go that route. Yes, it is because we believe a stronger teaching on Sin, not a weaker one. Yes, it is because there is Zero Time to wallow in misery. Our miasma, our missive, is a post-Dying wokenness. We well know that we’ve sinned and tripped up. If only it would be heard, then, that we peep and brighten in that great assembly, with our Desire to be more like Christ. With our Desire to spell a silent moment of appreciation, for what He has done by way of our Rebellion. And the Christian Soldier is made over as War-ready because of having seen the worst of it. So we are different: obtusely Upheld and Patiently Contrarian. If it causes offense, well then let it: we are Today receiving of His Mercy and preventive Judgment.