In response to Lyd
Regarding Lifestyle Evangelism: (for the beginning of the discussion click on "Lyd's Blog")
Why is it that when we think of lifestyle evangelism we think that joy is going to be the distinguishing characteristic that sets us apart? I'm not sure that Joy is the fruit of the Spirit that will do that. Not because it isn't important, but because in our society joy and hapiness have become the same thing - and lots of people find happiness, albeit temporarily, in things, possessions, etc.
Truthfully, I think there are two characteristics that are more "distinguishing" than Joy - love and faithfulness.
In my Sunday School class we have been talking about sanctification. One of the things we discussed recently is love. My pastor, who has been teaching this class to 30+ women (bless him), quoted something Dietrich Bonhoeffer said/wrote: "Spiritual love will speak to Christ about a brother rather than a brother about Christ." I like that quote, I like the idea that it isn't all about evangelism (although that is part of it). It's also about prayer. We live our lives loving our brother, not only by our public lifestyle, but also by the things they will never see as well.
Now about faithfulness. I think that if our non-believing friends and co-workers, and family see us trying to be faithful, to what we know to be true, it will be an indicator to them of what we have. Now, I don't think this means we don't have bad days and shortcomings, but it's like Mrs. H. said, "it's what we dow with them." As we fail, do we give in to failure, or do we strive to repent, seek God's help and work to be faithful.
It's all part of the whole sanctification thing. Because we are saved by grace through Christ's work on the cross we are set free by the Holy Spirit. We are free to resist sin, free to die again and again to sin, free to hope for the future glory of what is to come and free to be human. By the way, "Human is what Adam was before the fall; it is what God created us to be. What we are now are sinners, justified by Christ and continuously being sanctified through the indwelling work of the Holy Spirit." (D. McWilliams)
Why is it that when we think of lifestyle evangelism we think that joy is going to be the distinguishing characteristic that sets us apart? I'm not sure that Joy is the fruit of the Spirit that will do that. Not because it isn't important, but because in our society joy and hapiness have become the same thing - and lots of people find happiness, albeit temporarily, in things, possessions, etc.
Truthfully, I think there are two characteristics that are more "distinguishing" than Joy - love and faithfulness.
In my Sunday School class we have been talking about sanctification. One of the things we discussed recently is love. My pastor, who has been teaching this class to 30+ women (bless him), quoted something Dietrich Bonhoeffer said/wrote: "Spiritual love will speak to Christ about a brother rather than a brother about Christ." I like that quote, I like the idea that it isn't all about evangelism (although that is part of it). It's also about prayer. We live our lives loving our brother, not only by our public lifestyle, but also by the things they will never see as well.
Now about faithfulness. I think that if our non-believing friends and co-workers, and family see us trying to be faithful, to what we know to be true, it will be an indicator to them of what we have. Now, I don't think this means we don't have bad days and shortcomings, but it's like Mrs. H. said, "it's what we dow with them." As we fail, do we give in to failure, or do we strive to repent, seek God's help and work to be faithful.
It's all part of the whole sanctification thing. Because we are saved by grace through Christ's work on the cross we are set free by the Holy Spirit. We are free to resist sin, free to die again and again to sin, free to hope for the future glory of what is to come and free to be human. By the way, "Human is what Adam was before the fall; it is what God created us to be. What we are now are sinners, justified by Christ and continuously being sanctified through the indwelling work of the Holy Spirit." (D. McWilliams)
posted by Meg at 12/11/2005 10:39:00 PM
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