It is vital that we understand and believe whole-heartily that God's first love is all of humanity in relationship with one another through the grace of Christ. God so loves the individual, but even more than that, he deeply desires unity between individuals through a trans formative love for God, our perfect and holy creator who knows unconditional love deeper than we may ever understand. This principle of our faith changes how we respond to others different than ourselves. Remembering that every person, even our worst enemy, is a beloved child of God in whom the Spirit of Christ dwells (whether they realize it or not) changes how we might treat them. I believe it is this understanding that allows us to love and pray for our enemies, turn the other cheek, and love our neighbor as ourselves, as Christ teaches.
Christ, our leader, our teacher, and our Lord, is the opposite of the perceptions these young adults have regarding Christianity and this research does not stand alone in its statistics. In fact, you may have read in an earlier blog that since 2007 when the research discussed on Wednesday evening done by David Kinnamin and Dave Lyons, the understanding of Christianity has only become worse. Today, some compelling research done by Thom and Jess Rainer for their book Millenials, shows that there are only about 13% of young adults left in American culture who find any value in the practicing any kind of spiritual faith. As a person who deeply loves Jesus and truly believes that He is the way, the truth, and the life who saves, redeems, and loves all people, this news breaks my heart. Even more so, it is a clear message of the enormous potential for building God's Kingdom right here, right now and THAT gives me great inspiration and motivation to be in action for the sake of making a change. It only takes one person to make a difference, but when a community of people begin to make a difference together, it can change the world. Take for example the group of twelve in Christ's inner circle who are responsible for jump-starting Christ's ministry throughout the world. By being devoted to the teachings of Christ and practicing what He taught, the church experienced a renewal like none other the world has ever seen.
Rev. Quentin Scholtz pointed out in worship at Danville UMC yesterday morning that presently there are too many churches filled with people devoted to the institution but not truly engaged in their personal faith and spiritual growth. Before we can ever hope to lead another to the living water, we must consistently be experiencing the living water for ourselves. Regardless of how valid or invalid others perceptions of Christianity are, a great start for any individual to breaking the mold of the current understanding of the Christian life is to work on our inner spiritual health and balance.
Hypocrisy was our main topic of conversation on Wednesday. Some of us shared experiences supporting how others would justly perceive Christians to be hypocritical.
What would happen in your family, your workplace, your school, your community is we placed judgements aside, and majored in love above all things? If we allowed the Holy Spirit to do the convicting through the love and good news of the gospel? If we dedicated ourselves to cleaning the inside of our cups, and leaving the outside to worry about itself?
Where is God calling you to be more self-aware? How is He is calling you to be a minister to those around you? And how is he offering to equip you to be an authentic follower of Jesus, so that others will see that when Christianity is tried, it is never left wanting - rather it is fulfillment beyond our greatest dreams.
