During this holiday season, many of us take the time to care about and serve others a little bit more. As believers, we're encouraged to expand beyond our faith to help others, thereby showing the "fruits of our beliefs".
In the light and shadow of the cross, planted in today's world of national and global turmoil, our concept of "ministry" has to expand. If ministry remains solely within the church walls, at some point, do we not end up simply talking to ourselves? Indeed, what is ministry? The Biblical truth is that anything done in the name of God's Love becomes ministry. Anything!
Our harsh reality is that times have changed rapidly and drastically in America. We now live in a world of post moderism. An age of utter skepticism; an age of hostility to absolute claims from any source. Truth is becoming wrongly defined as a matter of one's preference or perspective, and some question if truth exists at all.
To a large degree, it's us baby boomers fault. Remember what is was like growing up 50 yers ago? We watched TV programs like Lassie, Disney's Wide World of Color and Andy Griffith. Programs that held redeeming moral values. Now if your child wants to learn foul language, they simply can turn on cartoons at night on prime time TV.
We've taken God out of our schools and courtrooms. Praying has become a hidden practice. You can't spank a child--that's physical abuse. You can't hug--that's sexual harassment. And of course, we've left the next generation with a national debt that will take years if not decades to clean up.
The fact is the public, especially the media and many "intellectual leaders" no longer see Christianity as a dominate social force. Instead 6 out of 10 Americans now believe the church is irrelevant. 170 million unbelievers live in our country. If we're looking for a mission field, it's right here.
And so, as Christians what should we all be doing?
Building Bridges
The very life of Christian ministries is intertwined with recognition of the times. Otherwise, we cease being an influence on society. We believe by hearing the Word, but much of this younger generation wants more; they're looking for Proof! The "eye" becomes equally important. Where are the actions that show the Love of God we speak about? Just screaming louder from the pulpit isn't enough, because the world doesn't want to hear the truth.
This Christmas season let's realize that...they're NOT going to come to us--we've got to go to them! We should stop long enough to remind ourselves of our Lord's dual instructions of keeping the Ten Commandments as well as fulfilling the Great Commission. Indeed, we are our brother's keeper.
Merry Christmas and Love to All!
I don't think God has ever been interested in passively waiting for people to haphazardly wander to Him. He wants us to get after it and be proactive for the kingdom. Great words my friend.
Posted by: DavidBennett_ | 12/10/2012 at 08:01 PM