Our Role as a #ChristFollower
This was a passage from a message shared by Tim Mackie of the Bible Project.
Here are my thoughts: Our God is love. We get so caught up in our independence that we somehow begin to think that we are somehow condemned or stifled by our obedience to him. He calls us to bring more followers to him.
This mission is not because we are to ram rules and laws down the throats of sinners (because we too are sinners and equally sinful). It is to share the GOOD NEWS that there is more to life than meaninglessness, that the daily struggle, than the evil and sadness that can feel overwhelming. There is a resting place!
BUT. HOW.
I’m starting to understand the how is the most imperative, most critical part of this mission. Christ calls us to walk in love. So our mission of bringing more followers to him is not about condemnation, politics, rules or laws, it is simply to love. Not the love of this world. It has been distorted and points many of us toward a sinful ideology.
Whenever this happens, I turn to scripture.
“For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love.”
2 Peter 1:5-7 NIV
https://www.bible.com/111/2pe.1.5-7.niv
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.”
1 Corinthians 13:4 NIV
https://www.bible.com/111/1co.13.4.niv
We MUST redefine love and life. We must not only become an example of Christ’s love but unashamedly proclaim his restorative nature, the hope and grace that gives us rest, peace, and salvation.
Lord I pray for the church, the body, the people. I pray that we not be deceived by the nature of our world that has distorted the gift of love you have given to us. I pray a radical prayer that you make us into a body of believers that share with enthusiasm and with love, and without judgement, condemnation and pride. Lord we know your walk is an urgent, yet patient one. Change our perspective on life so that it becomes a training ground for your will. Let us sharpen each other as iron sharpens iron. Let this post be for your glory alone.
In Jesus name, Amen.