I grew up in the church and have spent a lot of time listening to a lot of sermons. I then went to a Christian university and sat in a bunch of Bible classes and learned a lot. In the quick spread of information in the 21st-century, I’ve listened to pod casts, read blogs and books about God. All of this in an attempt to grow in my relationship with the Lord through glorifying Him with a proper theology; the study of God. All of this is well and good and I have indeed learned things about God and wouldn’t be ashamed to share my knowledge of the Bible and the ways of the Lord. I delight in this growing knowledge of Him.
At the same time, I have come to the realization that we learn a lot more about God through acting out our faith. The first service that I did as I began this gauntlet of speaking was at the Garden and as Darren was asking me questions on stage, I stated something that I hadn’t previously said before, but then realized that it was entirely true. I have learned more about the gospel in the last year through my relationship with 26 Tanzanian orphans than I have ever learned through all the sermons that I’ve ever heard combined.
We always seem to have many words and can pay lip service to the Kingdom. As someone who enjoys writing and speaking, I probably am worst than most. And yet how many sermons have we heard, or even books have we read have truly changed our lives? We sometimes use that tag “changed my life” too flippantly, because the sincerity of such a change has to be played out for a much longer duration than the moment in which it happened. I will stress and strain over things I write or sermons I write and my intent is to inspire, encourage, challenge, bless, you know all those positive things that would change a person’s life. Yet in all truth, chances are I haven’t produced any words that have seriously altered someone’s life.
Love. Isn’t that what we’re after? Jesus’ words in John 13:34-35: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” “Let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.” (1 John 3:18). That is powerful stuff. I love the way the Bible builds on the same themes and love in the Kingdom of God is one of the most prominent. The implication in these verses is that we are not only defined by love, but that love is to be love in action.
One of the verses that ought to scare American Christians is the verse right before that last one. 1 John 3:18 is a pretty popular verse, but if you read it in context you’ll see a challenge in the form of an example of love in action. 1 John 3:17 (emphasis added): “But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?” If you are an American and you are reading this, I hope you realize that we consume an inordinate amount of the world’s goods. We have them and others are in need.
Conversation. That is the furthest extent of reading the Bible of so many Christians; the writers would be shocked. Conversation is good, small groups are great, sermons are biblical and necessary, but its foolish for us to not let the truth of the Bible extend to powerful action. “For the Kingdom of God is not in word but in power” (1 Corinthians 4:20).
I don’t like labels, because they write people off. For example, “activist” in Christian circles is awful. It makes individual people look like action is just their “thing” and that its okay for others to be non-engaging. The only way that I would appreciate the term “activist” would be if it were synonymous with “Christian.” In light of just the few verses that I’ve shared, I would say that such an estimation is entirely biblical. Yet “activist” and “Christian” are not synonymous in the American context and I’d say that’s a problem.
His love and life in His Kingdom ought to compel us to action and all theology is useless if we can’t exhibit our love for one another. The truth is His truth, love and power is compelling and for this we give praise.
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The Rundown: We had a great week visiting with brothers, sisters and supporters at FBC Paso. I’m grateful for those there and others on the central coast. We’re especially blessed by the kindness of the Varners, Garmans and Donny and Melissa. Total blessings from all of them. I’m in Camarillo at the moment and we will be heading back down to Orange County tomorrow for an event in Santa Ana. We leave for Wisconsin in a week. All is well and God is good… all the time.
At the same time, I have come to the realization that we learn a lot more about God through acting out our faith. The first service that I did as I began this gauntlet of speaking was at the Garden and as Darren was asking me questions on stage, I stated something that I hadn’t previously said before, but then realized that it was entirely true. I have learned more about the gospel in the last year through my relationship with 26 Tanzanian orphans than I have ever learned through all the sermons that I’ve ever heard combined.
We always seem to have many words and can pay lip service to the Kingdom. As someone who enjoys writing and speaking, I probably am worst than most. And yet how many sermons have we heard, or even books have we read have truly changed our lives? We sometimes use that tag “changed my life” too flippantly, because the sincerity of such a change has to be played out for a much longer duration than the moment in which it happened. I will stress and strain over things I write or sermons I write and my intent is to inspire, encourage, challenge, bless, you know all those positive things that would change a person’s life. Yet in all truth, chances are I haven’t produced any words that have seriously altered someone’s life.
Love. Isn’t that what we’re after? Jesus’ words in John 13:34-35: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” “Let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.” (1 John 3:18). That is powerful stuff. I love the way the Bible builds on the same themes and love in the Kingdom of God is one of the most prominent. The implication in these verses is that we are not only defined by love, but that love is to be love in action.
One of the verses that ought to scare American Christians is the verse right before that last one. 1 John 3:18 is a pretty popular verse, but if you read it in context you’ll see a challenge in the form of an example of love in action. 1 John 3:17 (emphasis added): “But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?” If you are an American and you are reading this, I hope you realize that we consume an inordinate amount of the world’s goods. We have them and others are in need.
Conversation. That is the furthest extent of reading the Bible of so many Christians; the writers would be shocked. Conversation is good, small groups are great, sermons are biblical and necessary, but its foolish for us to not let the truth of the Bible extend to powerful action. “For the Kingdom of God is not in word but in power” (1 Corinthians 4:20).
I don’t like labels, because they write people off. For example, “activist” in Christian circles is awful. It makes individual people look like action is just their “thing” and that its okay for others to be non-engaging. The only way that I would appreciate the term “activist” would be if it were synonymous with “Christian.” In light of just the few verses that I’ve shared, I would say that such an estimation is entirely biblical. Yet “activist” and “Christian” are not synonymous in the American context and I’d say that’s a problem.
His love and life in His Kingdom ought to compel us to action and all theology is useless if we can’t exhibit our love for one another. The truth is His truth, love and power is compelling and for this we give praise.
------------------------
The Rundown: We had a great week visiting with brothers, sisters and supporters at FBC Paso. I’m grateful for those there and others on the central coast. We’re especially blessed by the kindness of the Varners, Garmans and Donny and Melissa. Total blessings from all of them. I’m in Camarillo at the moment and we will be heading back down to Orange County tomorrow for an event in Santa Ana. We leave for Wisconsin in a week. All is well and God is good… all the time.
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