Waist Deep 2018 - October 30


Galatians 6: 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. (NIV)


When we evaluate ourselves against the New Testament example, we find much of what we call “community life” in the church today is still far from what Scripture calls us to do.*


Our mission as Christians is to seek and save the lost. We know that in order to do our job, we have to have contact with nonbelievers. We are criticized (and rightly so) if we just hunker down in our church buildings, taking refuge from the dangerous, cruel world, but I wouldn’t be surprised to learn that the New Testament speaks more about how to live a Christian life and how to get along with our brothers and sisters than it does about evangelism.

Orphans who dream of being adopted don’t fantasize about joining a family of squabblers and back-stabbers. Why would anyone be attracted to the Christian life if we don’t treat each other with love and respect? If we are treating our family like family should be treated, wouldn’t you expect that goodwill to spill over into our treatment of everyone? “Charity starts at home” could be used as an excuse for selfishness and isolation, but “starts” implies further movement. Start by doing good to your family of believers. Move on to doing good to all people.


Church buildings are where most Christians today learned about God, gave their lives to Christ, were nurtured by a faith community, and were ministered to in their darkest time of life.*


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