Cleaning fish before we catch them?
Jesus said, "Come and follow me and I'll make you fishers of men." I have a lot to say on this subject, but at this point I want to simply ask the question: are we trying to clean the fish before we even catch them.
How many of us try to tell a nonChristian how they need to "Stop doing this..." and "Stop doing that..." and "Clean up this area of your life..." and "Clean up that area of your life..."
We're telling them to clean up before they come to Jesus and it's like telling them to go take a shower before they come and get a bath. Only Jesus can cleanse them. Only Jesus can set them free. Only Jesus change them.
Jesus shows us that he wants people to come to them as they are and then together with Jesus and the Christian family we will travel on the journey of transformation into this new life and new person that Jesus wants for us.
Most nonChristians know the "do's and don't's" Why try to tell these people all the wrong and to clean up when we know better than anyone that just living a good life isn't good enough. No matter how great and clean and moral a life they would live they'll never reach the state of perfection in the eyes of God and acceptance based on performance. None of us can.
No, our acceptance is found in that we stand naked, fully exposed, transparent, and vulerable before God for who we are and all we've done in word, deed, and thought, and we're still loved, still accepted and valued. Why? Not because of us, but because of him! This is the Grace, mercy and love of God.
No, God doesn't like the sin, in fact he hates it and condemns it, but he doesn't hate and condemn us, nor does he anyone else, yet. Right now he offers to all people his love, grace, and mercy. The day will come when they'll face the consequence/payment for they're decision. The're will be a day where condemnation will be dealt out to those who rejected the love, grace, and mercy of God found in Jesus Christ.
Why do feel the need to try to force nonChristians to act like Christians before they are one? This has been a major turn off to them.
It's like this... Go fishing, throw your bait into the water on your hook, when you see fish coming near reach in and try to skin and gut it before it's on the hook. You'll find that you are not only unsuccessful at the skinning and gutting, but also at the catching. Why? Cause you're doing it backward!
How many of us try to tell a nonChristian how they need to "Stop doing this..." and "Stop doing that..." and "Clean up this area of your life..." and "Clean up that area of your life..."
We're telling them to clean up before they come to Jesus and it's like telling them to go take a shower before they come and get a bath. Only Jesus can cleanse them. Only Jesus can set them free. Only Jesus change them.
Jesus shows us that he wants people to come to them as they are and then together with Jesus and the Christian family we will travel on the journey of transformation into this new life and new person that Jesus wants for us.
Most nonChristians know the "do's and don't's" Why try to tell these people all the wrong and to clean up when we know better than anyone that just living a good life isn't good enough. No matter how great and clean and moral a life they would live they'll never reach the state of perfection in the eyes of God and acceptance based on performance. None of us can.
No, our acceptance is found in that we stand naked, fully exposed, transparent, and vulerable before God for who we are and all we've done in word, deed, and thought, and we're still loved, still accepted and valued. Why? Not because of us, but because of him! This is the Grace, mercy and love of God.
No, God doesn't like the sin, in fact he hates it and condemns it, but he doesn't hate and condemn us, nor does he anyone else, yet. Right now he offers to all people his love, grace, and mercy. The day will come when they'll face the consequence/payment for they're decision. The're will be a day where condemnation will be dealt out to those who rejected the love, grace, and mercy of God found in Jesus Christ.
Why do feel the need to try to force nonChristians to act like Christians before they are one? This has been a major turn off to them.
It's like this... Go fishing, throw your bait into the water on your hook, when you see fish coming near reach in and try to skin and gut it before it's on the hook. You'll find that you are not only unsuccessful at the skinning and gutting, but also at the catching. Why? Cause you're doing it backward!
posted by Pastor Mike @ 12:30 AM
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