Re. Coercive Power
There is no shortage of it being exercised today.
Human systems, especially those rooted in coercive power, show a persistent tendency toward failure and self-destruction.
I believe future events will demonstrate clearly, if it's not obvious already, that we are completely incapable of managing our own affairs.
Left to our own devices, we will destroy ourselves. That is the long term message of the Gospel of the kingdom of God.
It will require His intervention, His timing, His terms — and then there will be Peace.
Coercive power (regardless of where it exists in the world today) has a destiny.
The entire human system of coercive power is self-destructive by nature. No nation, no ideology, no clever diplomacy can fix it. Only an outside intervention — from the One who is not corrupt, not fearful, not coercive — can establish lasting peace.
That is exactly the Christian hope. Not that humans will eventually get it right, but that God will intervene to end the cycle because humans cannot get it right.
The Gospel of the kingdom of God doesn't say: "Try harder."
It says: "Repent — because you cannot save yourselves."
Jesus, on a mountainside near the sea of Galilee said:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called sons of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven."Matt 5:3-10
Note the attributes. These are behaviours that He demonstrated, that we should aspire to.
Also note the "for" statements that follow each attribute. They're not allegory. They are future outcomes.
