Live love.
Warning: The following not only applies to me, but to every Christian in the world. (but probably mainly me.)
I think that as a Christian, I've gotten too wrapped up in following the great commission that I've forgotten the great commandment(s). To love God and love each other. Now, a lot of Christians think that the way they show love to each other is by following the great commission. I don't think they're as related as we'd like to think. I think we need to love each other (and that, by the way, is how Jesus said the world would know that we're his disciples) by meeting physical and emotional needs. In following this command, we need to be Christ's hands and feet, reflecting his love through our action. And how do we do that? Not by preaching the gospel. We do that by serving others. Helping others. Blessing others. Pay for someone's gas - give someone flowers - ask if someone needs to talk - listen - mow someone's yard - rake the leaves - shovel snow ---you getting the idea? I sure am.
The day of simply preaching on the street corners is over. You heard me. It's over. Done. Finished. In past cultures, people were readily open to hear about spirituality. In fact, the further you go back, the more spirituality had to do with everyone's lives. Unfortunately, in our post-modern culture, this is not the case. Spirituality & life are viewed more like opposites than similar. So, it's our job to reconnect them. To again show the practicality of Jesus. How does Jesus help me with my bills? How does Jesus help with my marriage? How does Jesus help with my relationships? How does Jesus help with my job? How does Jesus help when I lose a loved one? These are all questions that the world is SCREAMING at us. It's time we answer. Live love. Be a part of the movement.
It's only after we do this that people will be willing to hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ. And it's THEN that we share the good news.
It's time we let the Holy Spirit work through our actions and stop trying to force Him through our mouths.
He'll anoint our words when it's time. He knows when we're ready. And most of all, He knows when we're actually practicing what we preach!
In His Grip,
Pastor Elgin
I think that as a Christian, I've gotten too wrapped up in following the great commission that I've forgotten the great commandment(s). To love God and love each other. Now, a lot of Christians think that the way they show love to each other is by following the great commission. I don't think they're as related as we'd like to think. I think we need to love each other (and that, by the way, is how Jesus said the world would know that we're his disciples) by meeting physical and emotional needs. In following this command, we need to be Christ's hands and feet, reflecting his love through our action. And how do we do that? Not by preaching the gospel. We do that by serving others. Helping others. Blessing others. Pay for someone's gas - give someone flowers - ask if someone needs to talk - listen - mow someone's yard - rake the leaves - shovel snow ---you getting the idea? I sure am.
The day of simply preaching on the street corners is over. You heard me. It's over. Done. Finished. In past cultures, people were readily open to hear about spirituality. In fact, the further you go back, the more spirituality had to do with everyone's lives. Unfortunately, in our post-modern culture, this is not the case. Spirituality & life are viewed more like opposites than similar. So, it's our job to reconnect them. To again show the practicality of Jesus. How does Jesus help me with my bills? How does Jesus help with my marriage? How does Jesus help with my relationships? How does Jesus help with my job? How does Jesus help when I lose a loved one? These are all questions that the world is SCREAMING at us. It's time we answer. Live love. Be a part of the movement.
It's only after we do this that people will be willing to hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ. And it's THEN that we share the good news.
It's time we let the Holy Spirit work through our actions and stop trying to force Him through our mouths.
He'll anoint our words when it's time. He knows when we're ready. And most of all, He knows when we're actually practicing what we preach!
In His Grip,
Pastor Elgin