Here’s an interesting quote given my message yesterday @columbiaridge:
A preaching of the gospel that calls men and women to accept Jesus as Savior but does not make it clear that discipleship means commitment to a vision of society radically different from that which controls our public life today must be condemned as false. Newbigin in Foolishness to the Greeks: the Gospel and Western Culture
Yes, as our Master Teacher he certainly calls us to a vision of a different society. But not only are we called to trust him as Savior and as Teacher, we are called to follow him as our Lord. This will mean that we move differently in the world than would be typically observed. The chief difference, perhaps, is not our specific behaviors or even the vision of society we hold, but rather the impetus of those behaviors and that vision: a response to his leading given through scripture and by the Spirit in real time.
Being directed by Christ is the differentiator. Most of those who are not disciples of Jesus have honorable visions, and if not that then simple unstated desires, for society. Many of those who are not disciples of Jesus respect and apply his ethical teachings. But only a disciple seeks to be directed by Christ moment by moment.
This scales to our church as well. What differentiates us is not that we are serving in the community, not that we are involved in a capital project, and not that we have a partnership in Africa, etc. Many organizations are doing the similar things. What differentiates us – and must always differentiate us – is that we do what we do as a response to his lead, as we discern it.
This is our call as a church and as His disciples. Let’s move together as a disciples today by listening for his direction every moment we can on this day and beyond.
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