You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.
John 15:16
You know it is amazing how much is done in Christ's name. Yet some of it is not in Christ's spirit. You may be wondering what I mean by that.
Let's say I gave you a bottle and said open it. You have different options to open it. First one, you could break it open, but then it get's everywhere and you have broken glass everywhere. Second one, you could give it to someone else to open, but then you really didn't open it did you? Third one, you could force the top off, but it could explode doing this. Finally, you can gently open it up, awe now we can enjoy the inside and even close it if need.
Doing things in God's name especially when dealing with others is like that bottle. First you can come in a threatening manner, the person you are approaching would then be turned off and become upset with the church. You could have someone else go and talk to them, but then are you really serving God or are you being passive? You could force the issue when they are not ready, sure you may wear them down, but still there will be anger and resentment. Lastly, if you come to a person in love and grace like Christ would, then you can be sure they will be open to you more welcoming.
We have to be careful what we do in God's name! We must ask ourselves four questions. One, are we doing this out of love? Two, are we doing this for the best of God's church? Three, are we doing it in God's timing or our own? And four, are we doing this in a Christ like manner? If any of those are no, then we need to rethink our actions and look for another option.
Let's say I gave you a bottle and said open it. You have different options to open it. First one, you could break it open, but then it get's everywhere and you have broken glass everywhere. Second one, you could give it to someone else to open, but then you really didn't open it did you? Third one, you could force the top off, but it could explode doing this. Finally, you can gently open it up, awe now we can enjoy the inside and even close it if need.
Doing things in God's name especially when dealing with others is like that bottle. First you can come in a threatening manner, the person you are approaching would then be turned off and become upset with the church. You could have someone else go and talk to them, but then are you really serving God or are you being passive? You could force the issue when they are not ready, sure you may wear them down, but still there will be anger and resentment. Lastly, if you come to a person in love and grace like Christ would, then you can be sure they will be open to you more welcoming.
We have to be careful what we do in God's name! We must ask ourselves four questions. One, are we doing this out of love? Two, are we doing this for the best of God's church? Three, are we doing it in God's timing or our own? And four, are we doing this in a Christ like manner? If any of those are no, then we need to rethink our actions and look for another option.
