Convinced. October 25, 2009

What do you think about the Reformation?

What led the church into such a downward spiral?

The same thing that is leading it down today. Selfishness.
We are inward focused instead of outward. Jesus talks about helping those less fortunate than ourselves more than doing anything else. The Bible’s over-arching theme is to save those who can’t save themselves. It is what God did for us. So why are we, post-Reformation Christians, sitting around on our butts repeating history? No, we’re not selling indulgences, but I feel like we might as well be. We are neglecting the ministry that Jesus gave to us when He left this earth.

Okay… so that being said, I don’t think that we are “required” to do anything, but we are asked to. And in addition to that I think that out of love and admiration for our Savior we should be obedient. I mean, after all, He DIED for you. I don’t want to guilt you into anything. I also don’t want to guilt myself because we are indeed free. Christ made us so. And there is NOTHING we can do or not do to change that. Praise Jesus! Hallelujah! [Romans 8:38-39, “For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”]
But, I still want to do more. I cannot believe that someone would die for me. I mean, I think that I am one of the least worthy people for that, but aren’t we all?
We aren’t worthy and I think that’s the point. That is why we must do things for the one who provided for us. Provided a way out of our depravity. Have you ever noticed that when you do something for someone, no matter how small, they want to repay you 10x as much as you helped them? They want to help you just like you helped them. And sometimes more. Their gratitude is so great that they won’t take “No” for an answer. Have you ever experienced that? I’m sure you have. I know I have and I’m realizing that that is how we should be for our God. And we should NEVER take what He did for us for granted, but we do, and FAR too often.
I am convinced that out of our love for Christ and our gratitude to our God we must obey Him and serve Him only. Because He doesn’t need our good works, but the lost people all around us do. The children of God that are falling by the wayside do. And that is exactly who He wants us to help.

“The time is NOW, come Church, arise! Love with His hands. See with His eyes. Bind it around you, let it never leave you, and they will know us by our love.” – Christy Nockles “By Our Love”