Living the Dream!

"I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal."

"I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character." Dr. Martin Luther King

One man with one dream inspired multitudes to rally against the injustice demonstrated toward black people in our nation due to bigotry and prejudice. The “I have a dream” speech of Dr. Martin Luther King is one of the most significant events in the history of desegregation in the United States.

Did this powerful dream originate in the mind of Dr. Martin Luther King, or did it come from somewhere else? In order to answer this question, it would be wise to begin with the end in mind. The best place to do this is in the book of Revelation where God gives us a picture of what the consummation of His kingdom reign will display.

Revelation 7:9-10 says, “9After this I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. 10And they cried out in a loud voice: "Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb."

The answer is no. The dream of Dr. King actually began in the heart and mind of God.

God’s ultimate plan is for every people group to worship Him in freedom. Galatians 5:1 says, "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free."

Galatians 3:26-28 says, "You are all sons and daughters of God through faith in Christ Jesus, 27for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus."

God’s kingdom always works from the inside out. The freedom we experience in Christ is first and foremost an internal work. Jesus sets us free from our sins. Sin in the human heart is what leads to prejudice and bigotry. Only God can deliver us from this internal bondage.

As the human heart is set free from sin, freedom can then become an external manifestation. Christ in us illuminates us to the truth that every human being is equal in value and worth because they are made in the image and likeness of God. Only when we view people through the eyes of Christ can we truly be free.

Do you view people through the eyes of Christ?