It's that time of week, when I look back to Sunday's church service and think about what God wants me to do with what I've heard. Follow this link to hear the message.
Soteriology-Part 2. So great a salvation. Isaac addressed a common confusion in the church (especially the church in the West): he reminded us that conversion was never meant to be the end goal. Jesus came to and commanded us to make disciples, followers, learners...not just converts. While our salvation is secure and unchanging, we are also instructed to work out our salvation with fear and trembling (which Isaac described with humility and reverence).
How? How can we do this? Isaac suggested it was through obedience. God has invited us into His work--into His plan for the redemption of the world. Early in the message, Isaac referred to Victor Frankl and his reflections on life in a concentration camp. While the torture and brutality of the guards was horrific, what he found unbearable was the forced mundane work of digging holes and moving rocks back and forth across camp. The idea: we were created for a purpose. Our lives are empty until we engage with the purpose of our lives. We work out our salvation by pursuing God's purpose for our lives.
Application time. At this point, I fear many Christians in the marketplace hear this and think, "But, I don't want to quit my job and be a missionary." Or, "I guess one day maybe I'll go into full-time ministry so I can join God's work." First, IF that is what God is saying to do. Do it. However, I believe most will continue right where they are at.
As the former President of a missions organization, I've seen many make the "missionary commitment." I know I made mine in 1982 listening to Dr. Bill Bright. That day, I told God I wanted to join Him in His redemptive work around the world as the single focus of my life. Little did I know that many years later he would send me as a missionary back to the marketplace right here in good 'ole USA. Truth is God wants most of us to work out our salvation in our neighborhoods, in our places of work, in our communities. That is our mission field today. If I could wave a wand and change one thing about the church...this is what I would change: that every Christian would make the priority of their life joining God in His redemptive work around the world--starting right where they are.
great words jeff!
Posted by: billy Williams | September 30, 2008 at 05:33 PM