When I Was Younger, So Much Younger Than Today

I was asked the other week to be prepared on Sunday to read a passage of scripture to the congregation in our noon service. It was followed up with something like this; "you can also share some things about the passage, too". Hmm, that sounds like preaching to me. They went and made me a preacher! Just kidding, I know exactly what was meant, and I was honored. I also understood for the first time the heavy responsibility of standing in front of God's people and opening your mouth. Truth better come out. I had these flashbacks of the Old Testament practice of taking false prophets out in the street and stoning them if they led God's people astray. But thats another topic for another time.

A True Disciple?

Certainty and proof.  How to know something for certain and to be able to prove it is of absolute importance when you are talking about salvation.  Right?  So why is it that if you ask a roomful of Christians how they know that they are true followers of Christ you get answers across the spectrum?  You know the standards; “When I was 4 I prayed this prayer....”, “I was raised in a Christian home....”, “I’m really a good person....”.  I’m guilty of those same statements in my life (well, 2 out of the 3).  This is why John 13:34-35 is so profound (and convicting) to me.

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.  By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”

The Dangerous Christian

I can still see the look on his face.  ”Why would you go all the way to Africa to bring them something they don’t want or need?  Are you on some sort of crusade or something?”  I heard in his voice and saw on his face….contempt.

I had been talking to a non-Christian about my upcoming trip to Guinea Bissau. I was not going to Western Africa to dig a well or bring shoes to children. I was going to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ to a village that had never heard it.