This is a fantastic article that I was very impressed with.
www.nytimes.com/2010/02/28/opinion/28kristof.html#
I have long been concerned with the idea that so much of the church is involved with helping others ONLY if it has their denomination's name plastered all over it. What happened to the church hepling people without an agenda? Where has compassion gone? Have we forgotten compassion in our attempt to keep our doctrine correct?
Throughout the new testament, the underlying message is the condition of our hearts. I'm afraid the church to this day still struggles with issues of being like the Pharisees. We do all the right steps and moves but have forgotten why we do it and have lost the desire in our hearts to simply love and take action.
Go into all the world and love people. If you truly love others, you will have ample opportunities to share the gospel with them. Let us FIRST SHOW them the gospel. Use words if necessary. ;)
Sunday, February 28, 2010
Thoughts
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1 comments:
Love the quote from St. Francis "Preach the Gospel at all times, when necessary use words." the question I must ask myself is this: if I'm not convinced enough to spread the Gospel, am I convinced enough period? Do I really have faith. The times I've failed the most and hurt those closest to me, was when I wasn't trusting God for things I needed or wanted. So many times we are like the Pharisees...all the right actions, none of the right motives. The times I truly catch a glimpse of God's intentions for this world, and what Christ has done, passion wells up. We all need faith, and in the word's of Christ to the church at Laodicea: "salve for our eyes so we can see, robes to clothe our nakedness, and gold from Him refined in the fire." I would suspect that with vision, the denominational divisions and trust in religion would be replaced with trust in God. One huge lesson I take from the Pharisees is that religion (observing rules, and rites) does not accomplish anything and it never changes hearts. On the other hand, believing that God is actively working to redeem and restore creation, and that he loves us unconditionally separate and apart from our actions, and that Christ is always pleading our case -- that's the stuff we can rest on. Thanks for this post Jennifer.
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