Thursday, October 05, 2017
The only answer to a world full of evil...
It has happened again. We all knew it would. This time it was in Las Vegas. So I hear Christians talking about what we should do. Be nicer to others. Treat everyone with respect. Love your family. Show the world a better way to live.
But I do not believe that is how God expects Christians to respond to evil. That is the way He expects us to live every day.
But please know that living as a Christian does not change the world.
Making followers of Jesus does.And that does not happen just by living as a Christian. It happens when you share the good news of Jesus and people believe it.
Here is what happens when you help someone decide to follow Jesus.
The world has one more person of peace. One more person who treats others like they want to be treated. One more person who loves their neighbor as themselves. One more person who is living a life of contentment. Not because we want to combat evil, but because we love God so much we choose to live a better life every day. Not because of what we are against, but because of what we are for.
Followers of Jesus choose to live by faith -- not by fear. Our world is afraid of dying. Jesus robs death of its power. Our funerals are different. We refuse to give in to fear. We will not live as timid people in a world of hate. We choose to live courageous lives of hope and peace and joy. Even if we Christians become the object of that hate.
Followers survive. We get through disaster and tragedy because of Jesus. We overcome the trouble of this world. What is the worst that can happen to us? Death? Followers know that we live forever. If our family and friends are followers then we know we will be together forever.
And yes, I know this is much harder to do than to write. It is not easy. But we choose faith. In the midst of hurricanes. In the aftermath of mass shootings. In hospital rooms. We reject fear.
So if you really want to change things then start talking about Jesus. Start sharing your faith. Bring people to Jesus. Make followers.
That changes the world.
God give us the courage to not just live our faith, but to share our faith. Help us to speak of your Son in the midst of an evil world. Thank you for overcoming death by the resurrection of your Son. We are trusting in that. And we will be bold and courageous in telling others that good news.
But I do not believe that is how God expects Christians to respond to evil. That is the way He expects us to live every day.
But please know that living as a Christian does not change the world.
Making followers of Jesus does.And that does not happen just by living as a Christian. It happens when you share the good news of Jesus and people believe it.
Here is what happens when you help someone decide to follow Jesus.
The world has one more person of peace. One more person who treats others like they want to be treated. One more person who loves their neighbor as themselves. One more person who is living a life of contentment. Not because we want to combat evil, but because we love God so much we choose to live a better life every day. Not because of what we are against, but because of what we are for.
Followers of Jesus choose to live by faith -- not by fear. Our world is afraid of dying. Jesus robs death of its power. Our funerals are different. We refuse to give in to fear. We will not live as timid people in a world of hate. We choose to live courageous lives of hope and peace and joy. Even if we Christians become the object of that hate.
Followers survive. We get through disaster and tragedy because of Jesus. We overcome the trouble of this world. What is the worst that can happen to us? Death? Followers know that we live forever. If our family and friends are followers then we know we will be together forever.
And yes, I know this is much harder to do than to write. It is not easy. But we choose faith. In the midst of hurricanes. In the aftermath of mass shootings. In hospital rooms. We reject fear.
So if you really want to change things then start talking about Jesus. Start sharing your faith. Bring people to Jesus. Make followers.
That changes the world.
God give us the courage to not just live our faith, but to share our faith. Help us to speak of your Son in the midst of an evil world. Thank you for overcoming death by the resurrection of your Son. We are trusting in that. And we will be bold and courageous in telling others that good news.
