July 30, 2013

What Sets Us Apart

Without using a direct quote, the Associated Press credits Pope Francis with saying, ‘…a church that doesn’t go out and preach simply becomes a civic or humanitarian group’.

This makes me wonder about some of the local ministries that my church supports – the food bank, soup kitchen, and so on. While these are worthy programs established on Christian principles, believers and non-believers alike support these activities.

I realize that we can spread the Gospel through our actions, but do recipients and non-believers recognize it as the Gospel in action?

1 comment:

Steve Corey said...

Gail;

-----I think the church turns many away by trying to present “The Gospel” in everything. People begin to think that being Christian is to trim your vocabulary down to one word - Jesus - and then to speak it continually. Many people don’t want to go through life with only the image of a blue eyed Jesus in their mind’s eye. It isn’t that they can’t stand Jesus, it’s that they can’t stand a one word vocabulary accompanied by a one image mindset.
-----I don’t mean that Christ isn’t our only road to life and truth. He is the beginning of the re-established connection between God and you. Nothing can be more important. But there are also multitudes of things to do in order to survive. And survival is secondarily important. To help others survive just because they truly need help is to truly love them. That can be seen for what it is. That it is the gospel is merely a thought or two away, and the reality of it as such sinks deeper when those thoughts percolate up from their own hearts.
-----Then again, not every heart exactly percolates with thought. It never hurts to keep a couple “Jesus Saves” bumper stickers handy in case a hint needs pasted to your love.

Love you all,
Steve Corey