Sometimes I feel like my faith is at war with itself.
God calls us to evangelize, to love, to share, but he also calls us to a standard of morality. He calls us to treat others certain ways, to flee from certain activities, and to avoid from talking in certain ways.
And I know that the two are not mutually exclusive.
In practice it sure does feel like they are at war.
There are those I want to bring to church. There are those I want to allow freedom to feel welcome at church long enough for them to see the beauty of the grace of Christ. I want to give them time.
Yet I fear allowing them to be themselves until they see the truth. What will the church say? How will they react when they found out I brought them? How can I allow someone to worship that is blatantly living in sin?
And I know the answer is messy.
And I know the answer is full of grace and love.
So today I ask for prayer, and advice if you have it, because what I know is right to do is not always easy. And today it is difficult. Will you pray that I share Christ's grace by allowing someone to come and see Christ, and allow Christ to change their heart. Pray that I personify love while awaiting life transformation.
Thank you.
I remember a missionary who was serving a tribe in Africa visiting with us and telling about the men in the tribe who were coming to know Jesus as their Savior - AND many of them had more than one wife!!!! I asked what he did about that and his answer was so good that I have tried to follow it ever since, "It's not our job to change them. It's our job/mission/privilege to introduce them to Jesus and then watch Him change them."
ReplyDeleteWe're fishers of men, Matthew - we catch them, He'll clean them.
In regard to the "church" and what they'll say? Hopefully it'll be - "Welcome, it's great to have you. Would you life to sit beside me?"
Love that! Thanks!
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