Lately it has really begun to resonate with me how easy it is to lose focus. We have a mission. It is very simplistic. We are called to tell the world that Jesus is the risen son of the One, true God. We are called to show His love by the way we treat others.
I think it is so easy to lose sight of this. Satan giggles as we get caught up in "proving" ourselves or "defending" our faith. I am not saying that it is wrong to defend what you believe. I have very strong convictions about...well, most everything. However, when MY convictions cause me to neglect the gospel of Christ, I am wrong.
I listen to so many who are eloquently worded, and for the most part, very sound in what they teach. However, I have begun to wonder...if we put even half as much energy into sharing the gosel as we do defending why we "don't have to do....this, that or the other", how would it affect the Kingdom of God?
Does anyone who is lost really care why we do things or don't do things? What they need is a Savior. Are we neglecting the gospel to prove ourselves right? Are we spending so much time discussing our theology or debating our differences that we have become dulled to the biting pain the world feels without Jesus?
There are people out there who don't know Christ. They have NO hope. Their world is broken. The only thing that can fix it is the Spirit of God. And here we sit. Hoarding it up. We argue and we sharpen our swords so we can be ready to stab anyone who would dare to disagree with us. And because we are so BUSY with that, we leave a trail of spirits behind us, lost and neglected. And the Savior cries, I believe. He feels the pain and the hurt of those we pass by, and we are only blissfully aware of how right our theology is.
Does this grieve the Spirit inside us? I think it must. Ephesians 4 encourages us to build each other up, to be compassionate, kind and forgiving. Romans 14 makes it clear that we will all think differently and grow at different rates. BUT...it also makes clear "whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God". You don't have to share every conviction. And you definitely should not be spending the majority of your time and energy fighting "church wars".
Now...for those of you who are thinking, but the scripture also says, "Do not allow what you consider good to be spoken of as evil." (Romans 14) I agree. But sometimes the cost of a battle is more than we want to pay. And this evergoing, never ending battle over words is costing precious souls. So, my take...if someone asks my opinion, I will share it, maybe. But I will not spend huge portions of my time debating and setting up my arguments. I will not spend all my time reading the arguments of those caught in this trap. Instead, I will choose to pray for God to "open the eyes of my heart". I will spend my time searching for those who are searching. Looking for those who are hurting. And sharing my Savior with them; the only one who can fill their emptiness. The only one who can complete them and me. The God who loves them more than they can ever know or imagine. This is what God called us for, this is our mission in His Kingdom.
Listen to the Spirit inside you. It aches for the lost. Remember that true "wisdom" is pure, and full of gentleness. It is peaceloving and courteous. (James 3) His Spirit fills you up and He longs to share the salvation of God with a world that is hopeless.
Draw near to God. He will draw near to you.
