The Kind That Changes Everything

 

What if true revolution isn’t about overthrowing systems or escaping circumstances — but about transforming the relationships we live in every single day?

When we hear the word revolution, we think of protests, political upheaval, power shifting hands. We imagine visible change — structures falling, leadership replaced, injustice confronted head-on.   But what if the most radical revolution in history didn’t begin with swords or slogans?

What if it began with hearts?

I’ve often thought Paul gets a bad reputation in 21st-century American culture. To modern ears, some of his words feel harsh. Oppressive, even. Especially when he addresses slavery. In Ephesians, Paul writes:

Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ… Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people… And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them… there is no favoritism with Him.

And again in Colossians:

Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything… not only when their eye is on you… Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord… Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair.

For many, these verses are a stopping point. They feel like endorsement. Like compliance with injustice.

Often, we soften them by comparing slavery to the modern workplace — employer and employee. And that comparison does help us access the principle. Employees are called to work with integrity, not only when the boss is watching. Employers are called to treat those under them fairly and without threats. There is accountability on both sides.

But let’s be honest — the comparison only stretches so far.

Employees can resign.

Employees are not owned.

Employees are not trapped in generational systems without legal standing.

 

Roman slavery was brutal. Dehumanizing. Inescapable for many. As has slavery been throughout history, before and after Paul’s time.

So why doesn’t Paul start a revolt?  Instead, he completely shifts the axis.  In 1 Corinthians he writes:

Each person should remain in the situation they were in when God called them.

Were you a slave when you were called? Don’t let it trouble you — although if you can gain your freedom, do so… You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of human beings.

 

You were bought at a price. 

Identity before circumstance. 

Belonging before status.Christ before master.

Paul levels the ground without flipping the table.

 

But there’s a problem — New laws without new loves will fracture.  New systems without new humility will harden. New leadership without surrendered hearts will simply recreate the same hierarchy under different names.

Jesus said “No one pours new wine into old wineskins… No, new wine must be poured into new wineskins.” (Mark 2:22)

The wine of Christ’s kingdom — humility, equality before God, servant-hearted authority — requires new containers.

And that container is the transformed heart. But hearts do not transform themselves.

“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you…” (Ezekiel 36:26)

Only the Holy Spirit can soften what has hardened.

Only the Spirit can expose pride we cannot see.

Only the Spirit can reorient our loves.

 

Yet we are far from passive spectators. Scripture commands us to take an active role in our salvation and journeys.  “Work out your salvation… for it is God who works in you…” (Philippians 2:12–13)

The Spirit prepares the wineskin. But we must consent to being stretched.

That is why this revolution is not sentimental.  It is surrender.

It begins when we decide that belonging to Christ matters more than winning the argument.

That is a radical revolution.

And make no mistake, in case you’ve missed the nightly news lately — kingdoms are colliding. Right now. 

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life…” (John 10:10) Division is everywhere.

Families fractured.

Churches splintered.

Communities polarized.

 

Peace is being stolen.

Trust is being stolen.

Compassion is being stolen.

 

Make no mistake…There is a thief at work wherever pride is fed, wherever hatred is justified, wherever we are discipled more by outrage than by Christ.  If the Kingdom of darkness advances through division, then the Kingdom of God must advance through radical, Spirit-formed unity.

Every day, in small moments, we cast our vote.

In how we speak. . .

In how we post. . .

In how we forgive. . .

In how we lead. . .

 

This is anything but a casual invitation.  It is a call to arms — but not the weapons of outrage or domination, but to fight with the full indwelling of the Holy Spirit,

We take up the armor of God.

We fasten truth around our waist.

We guard our hearts with righteousness.

We step forward in the gospel of peace.

We lift the shield of faith when accusation flies.

We wear salvation like a helmet.

We wield the Word like a sword.

And we fight — not for power — but to free hearts, minds and souls from the darkness.

That is a radical revolution.

Which kingdom are you advancing?