The Christian life is not about subscribing to a set of propositional truths. It is about being transformed into the image and likeness of Jesus--being God's ambassadors to a lost, dying, insane world. This means that we WILL be offended, often intentionally. The hard part is not breaking from our role--not stooping to "their" level. When we misstep and do that, we merely prove that we are not yet re-formed into His image. Even on the cross, He forgave ("What wondrous love is this..."). People were either attracted to or repelled by Jesus, because even though he was 'human' He wasn't like them.
Jimmy Evans teaches the insightful truths that our most basic needs are acceptance, identity, security, and purpose. Until we are spending time in HIS presence, we won't have those basic needs met. And only as those needs are met in Him, then the real change in each of us will take place.
We must each be a representation of HIM, first and foremost, then be the unique creature that God has created each of us to be, whatever that may be. Great cooks, lovers of flowers or animals, organizers, honest salespeople, musicians...whatever. As much as we dearly love the gifts God has placed in us, those gifts...and what those gifts make us...must not overshadow the God we are to represent. 'Being' must precede 'doing'. This cannot happen apart from faith--trusting God by obeying Him--which comes by hearing (not merely reading or supposing) what He speaks to each of us..
No comments:
Post a Comment