Christ Jesus the only Son of the Almighty God, born of a virgin lived a holy live and surrendered His Life that we might be saved and was raised to life on the third day by His Father. Theologically this is all absolutely true but it is nonsense to anyone who is being introduced to Him. It is just too complicated.
The plain truth is that when introducing someone to another it is best to keep it simple. I remember when I was introduced to Jesus as clearly as yesterday. As a lonely nine year old I was told by my white haired Grade three teacher that if I wanted a friend who would always be with me to invite in Jesus; I did and He always has.
This is just the way that the Jesus of Biblical history modelled it. As a case in point at one time He asked the disciples. “who do people say that I am” to which they answered three different ways. I can almost imagine Him thinking to Himself, OK total confusion here. But instead of correcting the answers He asks them a new question. “Who do you say that I am?” He allowed them to process the question and come up with their own answer.
The people we are trying to reach for Christ need the same method. We might be totally convinced about their need for salvation but until they recognize Jesus in our lives and realize that this is what has been missing in their life, we are knocking our head against the proverbial brick wall.
There is nothing so natural or simple to say. “John, or Jane, Q Citizen meet my Master Jesus, He will be able to enhance your life.” This of course relies on our knowing JQ Citizen and more important that they know us well enough that they recognize something of value in the way we live.
Earlier today I saw an article that suggested organized religion may be headed for extinction; in a way I hope they are right. My belief is not centred in a Church. My faith is totally founded in the Person of Christ Jesus Son of God Saviour. The proof of my hope is found in my experience of Jesus. I believe that is the start point in a person’s relationship with Jesus. He comes to the person in their moment of need and requires little more than that.
This is the embodiment of the faith community that we are not bound by belief or denomination but by our relationship with the Christ, our “God with us”. Our greatest gift that we can offer to the community at large is not our programs or our services; our greatest gift is the person of Christ Jesus.
If we load people up with the theological dramas of the faith of our fathers we will just create blockages to people who are not ready for them. A father brought his son to the disciples but it took Jesus intervention before the spirit came out of the boy. In this instance the boy’s father asked “if” Jesus could heal the boy. Jesus answer was that all things are possible if you believe to which the father replied “I believe help my unbelief.”
This is the grace that we need to learn from the Master. Not only for those who are yet to find faith but also those in the organized faith community who have different dogma or styles of faith. Jesus calls us to live and love all we meet just as He loved all and died for them.
Let us live for Him who lives within us and Died for the love of all.
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