Who lives in your neighborhood?
In
1963 my father started his Christian ministry in one of New York City's
poorest neighborhoods where crime and violence were an epidemic. After a
few months, he realized that trying to create a traditional kind of
church in a corner building was almost impossible. Why? Didn't the
people need Christ? Yes, and they were responsive. However, when
the Gospel touched a household the first thing they did was look for an
opportunity to move out, to leave the old friends and temptations
behind so they could make a new start. Dad's focus shifted to one of
mission, going in to point people to Christ and to a whole new way of
life.
Recently I read of young families who are choosing to go and live in
those neighborhoods. A group of Christians, often young and educated,
go in together so that they can keep their lives intact, their faith
healthy. They are practicing the 'salt and light' principle that Jesus
taught, taking the Light to desperately dark corners; bringing the
preserving salt of the Gospel to places where sin festers.
In
the will of God some are called to get up and get out, to form new
relationships that allow them to overcome old ways; while others are
called to step down from privilege and go in. They go to create new
Christian communities among people who need hope! In both instances, we
see something powerful - that people influence people! The Proverb says: "He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm." (Proverbs 13:20, NIV)
So - who lives in your neighborhood?
What kind of influence are they bringing to you; are you taking to them?
What kind of influence are they bringing to you; are you taking to them?
A 'neighborhood' is not just the place in your town or city where your home is located.
Churches are a kind of neighborhood.
Places in which we work are a kind of neighborhood.
Even our extended families are a neighborhood.
Have you considered how God is calling YOU? Is He sending you as a missionary, or calling you out for your own good? This requires wisdom and responsiveness to the Spirit. In the 2nd letter to the Corinthians in the very same chapter, we read of some who were told to "come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.""I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty."Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God." (2 Corinthians 6:17-7:1, NIV) Others were urged to let the love of Christ compel them to become "Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us." (2 Corinthians 5:20, NIV) God does not contradict Himself! He knows us; our possibilities, our frailties; where we can be both His own and in service to His kingdom. The one thing He does not allow us to do is to go it alone!
Churches are a kind of neighborhood.
Places in which we work are a kind of neighborhood.
Even our extended families are a neighborhood.
Have you considered how God is calling YOU? Is He sending you as a missionary, or calling you out for your own good? This requires wisdom and responsiveness to the Spirit. In the 2nd letter to the Corinthians in the very same chapter, we read of some who were told to "come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.""I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty."Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God." (2 Corinthians 6:17-7:1, NIV) Others were urged to let the love of Christ compel them to become "Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us." (2 Corinthians 5:20, NIV) God does not contradict Himself! He knows us; our possibilities, our frailties; where we can be both His own and in service to His kingdom. The one thing He does not allow us to do is to go it alone!
All Christians are called to a common neighborhood called the Body of Christ. We are all called, by the Spirit and baptism, into His Church. The Word teaches us to "Always
keep yourselves united in the Holy Spirit, and bind yourselves together
with peace. We are all one body, we have the same Spirit, and we have
all been called to the same glorious future. There is only one Lord, one
faith, one baptism, and there is only one God and Father, who is over
us all and in us all and living through us all. However, he has given
each one of us a special gift according to the generosity of Christ." (Ephesians 4:3-8, NLT)
Yes,
we are called out of the old neighborhood of sin and selfishness, into
the new neighborhood of His wholeness, purity, and hope. So, in what
neighborhood are you living? Who are you influencing? Who is influencing
you? These are important questions, worthy of your reflection.
_______________
A Glorious Church
Do you hear them coming brother,
Thronging up the steeps of light?
Clad in glorious shining garments,
Blood washed garments pure and white.
Do you hear the stirring anthems,
Filling all the earth and sky?
'Tis a grand victorious army,
Lift its banner up on high!
'Tis a glorious church
Without spot or wrinkle,
Washed in the blood of the Lamb!
Ralph E. Hudson
Public Domain
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