John Lennon’s song, Imagine, got mixed reviews.
Some people saw his vision and claimed it as their own. The song was sung as a part of New York’s New Year’s Eve ball drop for many years after John’s death.
However, some were appalled by lyrics that would dare to consider a world without religion .. a world not divided into earth, heaven and hell.
Some argued that the world being one was indeed just a dream. They said war was necessary for us to claim our corner.
However, Jesus stood firmly against religion for the sake of religion. He warned,
“Your traditions have made My Word of no effect.”
Mark 7:13
He did not separate heaven into something just above us. He said,
“The Kingdom of God is within you.”
Luke 17:21
As to possessions, Jesus said,
“If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me.”
As to his views on how to treat our enemies, He went far beyond saying, “Don’t go to war.”
He said,
“Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”
Matthew 5:44
Jesus also prayed the world … our world of today … would be one. He prayed to The Father saying,
“I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word, that they may all be ONE, just as You Father, are in Me, and I in You, that they also may be in Us, so that the world may believe that you have sent Me.
The glory that You have given Me I have given to them, that they may be ONE even as We are ONE, I in them and You in Me, that they may become perfectly ONE, so that the world may know that You sent Me and loved them even as You loved Me.”
John 17:20-23
All things considered, John Lennon’s song was not that far off the mark. I invite you to listen again and consider a world where we will all be One with The One.
