We're Commissioned To Reach Out Together

By Being Intentional

Colossians 4:2-6 means a lot more to me now that I've been hearing more and more about reaching out in love. The whole idea of being motivated to share the Good News with other people has always been a bit foreign to me. I'm much more comfortable gathering knowledge. It is a selfish desire, but for years I've been of the mindset that I need to be equipped with the truth, so that when the time comes, I'd be ready to defend the truth. Now, I feel that my desire should shift - rather then being on defense, I should be preparing for offense.

Several years ago, I was on a business trip to California with a work friend and the CEO of the company. We were there for a sales meeting, but the night before we went to visit a man who was an advocate for the company, because he was in a construction accident, and was nearly killed. He was a nice guy, very cordial, pretty liberal, and extremely knowledgeable of different world religions. I don't recall the exact conversation, but something came up and I tried to defend a position from a Biblical (Christian) perspective. I was put to the test by both this man and our CEO... and basically gave up when I could have continued to stand my ground.

Afterward, on the drive back to the hotel, my friend confronted me. He said, "Jonny, why didn't you fight harder? I know you know the Bible better then any of them. You could have slayed him Jonny! But you gave up... Why?" I think I took the easy way out... said something like, "I didn't think I was going to change their minds." Since then I've been gathering and preparing... making sure my helmet, shield, breastplate, and sword were all ready to defend.

But now I'm stuck. The love for others has been an oversight. A burden for the lost has not been the spirit moving in me. The thing I've gained from Day 8: it's time to move past the spiritual Similac intended for my desire to grow. Instead, it's time to "make the most of every opportunity" and focus on the well being of others in every aspect - spiritual, emotional, physical, and relational - in the hopes that God will work through me to gain that opportunity to share the truth about Jesus.

Jesus lived the perfect life that God requires us to live. The sin in our life makes us enemies of God, deserving of eternal death. But because Jesus was executed on a cross, as punishment for doing nothing wrong, the power of death is gone. Yes, we'll die one day. It may be a tragic death or a common death. Regardless, Jesus' death is our death. And since he didn't stay dead, since he came back to life, His life (He is alive) is our life. Every good and perfect thing he did that pleased God, is also attributed to you and me. We are no longer enemies of God, but considered sons and daughters... as if we were family. On top of all the eternal glory that awaits us, we have the Holy Spirit with us. Every day it comforts us, prepares us, reminds us, and points us to that saving work of Jesus, so that we can 1) endure this life, and 2) share the love of God through His Son Jesus with everyone we know.

By Using Our Small Group

Just for the sake of telling it how it is, I thought I'd layout what I believe:

So how does this fit into Day 9? Well, despite my absolute agreement with the intent behind Day 9's message... I have to add perspective to an area where the author falls short.

Having the support of a small group means a great deal in the sharing of the life-changing message of forgiveness and reconnection to God through Jesus Christ. Many times have I wished that someone else been with me while discussing topics that so easily get connected to God and religion. For me, it is a matter of wanting to be able to always relate to someone, but often times you simply can't.

The problem in that thinking is that you also discount God's active role in the entire situation (hence the citation at the front-end of this post). Rick Warren goes into it briefly by reminding us that the Holy Spirit has been preparing hearts long before you begin talking to someone. Sometimes, you may even be the first person to plant a seed. What I see him saying though is that at one point the Holy Spirit does some kind of spiritual hand-off, tagging you and I to finish the work. Not so I say.

How so? In our fallen nature, we are spiritually dead , and unable to discern spiritual things . That being the case, how can any person explain it well enough to make a dead person alive? Can't happen. Only the power of the Holy Spirit can bring you to faith and enable you to live a godly life.

Thankfully, the author puts plenty of emphasis on prayer. The Holy Spirit has to be the one working. He's melting my heart right now, and melting the hearts of those who He is seeking to save. So I'll faithfully respond to that calling... pray for me.

By Offering Hospitality

Hospitality does seem to be a lost art these days. I am possibly one of the least hospitable people I know. That is one of the many reasons why I thank God for my wife. She is easily the most hospitable person I know. I'd love to blame it on my Y-Chromosomes and all, but the straight fact is that she is gifted and blessed by the Holy Spirit.

Tara and I both recognize that our home is a gift from God, intended for ministry. We often consider how the fast pace of life robs us of the opportunity to become closer to our next-door neighbors. We dream of easier days - the days our parents and grandparents can remember, where you knew everyone in your town, and they knew you.

In some ways, I can't help but think that hospitality in 2006 may not be as closely connected to sharing your home with other people, but instead sharing your life wherever you are. As the author indicates, hospitality doesn't maintain false pretenses. One could argue that opening up your home is opening up a can or pretension. You could be the most transparent, humble person and have a clean, beautiful home, including the "pleasantries of life", but be seen as false by someone who doesn't know you.

I agree that we should ultimately be open about sharing our homes. It is a great way to start developing relationships that can lead to discussion on spiritual things. A relationship that can be built on openness and genuine feelings is more important than redeeming society. But I also feel we should focus more on becoming transparent in all situations. Be more hospitable in our verbal conversations, and for that matter, be more hospitable in our electronic conversations. Hospitality should equate to being open with your life in every way you are blessed, to share that blessing with others.

By Showing Acceptance

Showing acceptance of others is a noble goal. It has become pretty clear to me in the course of my life that God's mercy and love toward me through Jesus is simply astounding. As many other Christians would confess, we owe Him our lives for saving us.

The struggle I'm having isn't with being judgmental and not accepting of others (though I have been know to frown heavily on many a person for their visible lack of redeemable qualities - it is something I'm working on). My struggle is dealing with non-believers that don't share our insight on what it means to be accepting the way Jesus was accepting. To a non-believer, acceptance could mean anything... mostly, I'd expect it to mean "you accept everything about me or nothing about me". The unbeliever enslaved by sinful desires will not always be broken hearted or contrite, necessary components to honest repentance. How will the Holy Spirit work through us to reach out to someone completely unlike Zacchaeus?

Definitely something to pray about.

By Building Friendships

Before talking about building friendships I just have to say one thing... I really can't stand paraphrased scripture. It wouldn't be so bad if there was any grammatical and logical method of converting Ancient Greek into "acting cozy with crooks and riffraff". Beyond that, it just isn't necessary to add such overtones and emotion to the text by saying that Jesus "shot back" at the Pharisees. Open up Matthew 9:10-13 in a real translation, and read it critically. Trust the Holy Spirit to help you interpret. When you see a difference in translation, you should always question whether or not the meaning is changed in light of the whole of scripture.

Okay, I'm down off the soapbox.

For me, this lesson has pointed out something that I would imagine many believers haven't considered. He presents the notion that the longer you are a Christian, the more likely it is that you're only aligning (meaningful) friendships with other believers. The author is intending for us to examine ourselves, so that we can identify whether or not we are completely isolating ourselves from opportunities to have meaningful conversations with unbelievers. I think it is a good point. We shouldn't be isolating ourselves from the world to the point we feel uncomfortable talking to unbelievers.

Now, 2 Corinthians 6:14-15 provides a warning to us. Just wait, I'm not off my rocker. I realize this verse is the token passage used for setting rules and guidelines as it relates to dating and marriage. You have to know though that it really much deeper then that.

The word translated as "do not be yoked" is more accurately translated as "do not be mismatched", and in the context of entire letter is really a calling to not be mismatched in our behavior, that is, calling ourselves Christian while doing things that are distinctly non-Christian. In developing any relationship, be cautious not to be pulled into hypocritical actions that would cause your words to be meaningless. I'm thinking specifically of all my work colleagues. If I am mismatched in word and deed, and then try to have meaningful conversation about the things of God, what merit can be placed on my words?

I'm sorry if I lost anyone here. The point is this. Don't isolate yourselves from unbelievers, because they need to be reached. Work on finding common ground by having meaningful conversation. And when you are being a witness in your actions, don't present a mismatched view of the Christian life.

By Giving Practical Help

I really took two things away from Day 13. First, as Christians we have a responsibility to do everything we can to meet the needs of our brothers and sisters in Christ. Second, as Christians we need to be aware of our subtle but persistent desire to be a specific body part within the greater body of believers - the mouth.

As it relates to reaching out to unbelievers, practical help is certainly a wonderful way to show that the faith you talk about is the faith you live out. The book of James is a difficult one to process, as it generally causes confusion regarding the eternal importance of doing good deeds. Alone, the book might give the impression that having faith is impossible without good works to accompany it. The truth of the matter, based on all of scripture, is that good works of eternal value are not possible without faith. That said, I can confess that as a Christian, I struggle to live up to James 2:14-17. I often feel like the guy that tells his hungry, poor brother, "well, I'd love to stay an help you out, but I really have to run."

Why am I like that? I think it is related to my second take-away point. I'd just rather tell everyone how great God is, rather than show them. I'd rather be the mouth of God then the hands and feet of God. This is a point of confusion for me also though. I'm convinced that we have a built-in desire to verbalize our faith to people, but then don't want to carry the burden of proving what we say is true through our actions.

It boils down to this... wake up to the Lord's calling. You'll be going about your daily life, which by the way is the Christian life, and a calling to serve will come. It will be a simple thing, some practical help that you can give. When it comes, just stop everything and help. It'll be spontaneous, out of nowhere, there and gone in an instant. Let the Christ-nature in you do what it does by default.

By Representing Jesus

Day 14 is all about the calling of Christians to be ambassadors of Christ Jesus. The author put a little too much emphasis on the ways that we can fulfill this obligation. I'd rather put more emphasis on how Jesus accomplishes that through us. Let's refocus on the ways that Jesus extends influence through us to reach out and seek and save the lost.

By Smiling - What is the source of the joy that produces a smile on our faces that in turn warms the hearts of those that are watching? (See Romans 5:10-11)

By Sympathizing - What is the source of the sympathy needed to console and encourage those who are hurting emotionally? (See Romans 12:5-8)

By Serving - What is the source of the servant attitude that desires to reach out to those in need? (See Romans 12:9-13)

By Speaking-up - What is the source of the unashamed courage to stand for what is right, or to speak on matters of faith? (See Romans 1:16-17)

By Sacrificing - What is the source of the desire to sacrifice everything, just so that God's Word concerning Jesus will spread? (See Romans 11:33-12:1)

All this is just more proof that Jesus' life is our life. The power we have to reach out comes from him, and not from ourselves. So our task is to put all our trust in him. I guess this post can also be called "The Romans Post"... so as a last thought, I'll leave you with Romans 8:1-4.