Ridgell's Originals

Do Christians focus so much on the life to come that we do not do appropriate ministry in this life?  Or, do Christians get so involved with working in this world that we forget this world is not our home?  It has even become somewhat trendy to say the church neglected work here because all the emphasis was on getting to heaven.

So a few of my thoughts.

The Bible does not present work here and life there as an either/or.  Scripture is full of admonition to make a difference in this world.  We are to care for each other.  We are to love our neighbor.  We seek the lost sheep to bring them home.  We make disciples and so grow the Kingdom.  We are constantly and continually making a difference in the lives of those around us.

But at the same time, the Bible is clear that this world is not our home.  We are strangers and aliens in this world and there is a better world to come.  

As for me, I very much believe my mission is to tell people about Jesus.  That involves service and helping.  And it involves speaking.  But the ultimate aim of my Christian journey is not to fix the problems of this world.  I can't and that is not my job.  If ending world hunger is the goal, then Jesus would have done that when he was here.  Feed the world.  I can't.  Feed Fred (the hungry guy I may meet in my world).  I absolutely must do that.

But we are just passing thru this world and our treasures really are not in this world.  And I need the hope of heaven.  I realize that every time I am in the presence of death.  I see that hope of a better world when I see all the sin and pain of a fallen world.  But I long for the home where there is no more pain or sorrow.  Where death is no more.  And where God himself will wipe away my tears.

So I am committed to telling a dark world that God sent His Son to bring light.  I can't tell the whole world, but I can tell the people in my world.  I can share the hope of heaven.  And till that day comes, I will do good works and I will commit to doing the ministry of reconciliation between God and sinners.

It is not either/or.  

It is both/and.

# posted by Steve @ 5:00 AM