Christian Love

I was pondering "Christian Love" over the past few weeks. With controversial comments by other Evangelical leaders, I wondered what Christ would say.

What is love? "Love your God" and "Love your neighbor" is a directive, but what does that really mean?

I have defined Love your God as an individual relationship with Christ. Meditating, seeking His face, and putting forth effort to understand His call in your life today.

I have defined Love your Neighbor as your corporate journey. The relationships you have with both believers and non-believers. Christ demonstrated this journey with his disciples and the "sinners." Christ calls us to develop relationships to understand the needs around us and begin to fulfill them in His name. Not to increase our church numbers, but to increase our own personal love supply.

What do you think?

was

Evangelism Today

So many times evangelism is equated to conversions. The "best" evangelists are those who have the most "conversions." I was pondering lately the idea of modern evangelism. The idea of mass conversions failed to impress me.

Instead of "conversion," maybe we should be focused on "conversations." That is the evangelism today. Truly loving people for who they are and introducing Christ not in a formula but in a real life on-going conversation. Rather than "proving God," we should allow the Holy Spirit guide us in conversations.

Just a thought,

was

What do you offer non-believers?

I was sitting in a Sunday school yesterday and was blown away. Of course, the Sunday school teacher did not get my comment, but it was one that has had me thinking all day. "What do we offer non-believers?"

Think about the evangelism you have learned--the question is always, "if you died tonight where would you go--Heaven or Hell?" The youth ministry events you once went to--what was the final question of the night--"Believe in Christ, and you will not go to Hell."

When we approach non-believers, we offer Hell. We do not offer hope. We offer a negative approach--you're going to Hell, why not go to Heaven? I think we have missed the mark in evangelism.

Think about Paul! He never offered Hell. In his epistles, I cannot recall once him telling the non-believers they were going to Hell. Instead, he offered more of himself.

Read Romans 9:3--"For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my brothers, those of my own race..." Wow, what a statement. His prayer was that-- He wanted his Jewish brothers to known Christ so badly, he would sacrifice his own salvation. He knew it could never be done, but what a powerful statement.

The question I have for you is this--when you bring Jesus to others, do you offer Hell as the alternative, or do you offer the Hope in Christ? Do you honestly hurt for those around you who are condemned, or do you see yourself as a marketing manager for God?

Think about it,

was