|
Our Message |
|
Christian Friends who wait on the Lord for inspiration as well as guidance realize that before they expostulate vocal ministry of any sort, it is vital that we hear God inwardly proclaim Truth. Then and only then will we be prepared to evangelize in the love and power of Christ. First we need to empty ourselves from our own ideas and notions while waiting on God. If we obey in that manner, the Lord will quiet our emotions and then we will be prepared to listen to that small voice, Jesus in the midst of His people. In waiting in the Lord's power, we will hear Jesus in our souls enunciating His Father's vision for us humans with finite minds. We might not always agree with His commands but if we are in Truth we will be constrained to hear and obey him completely. In our waiting, Jesus appears as our Shepherd who affords us the love that enables us to feel God's presence. And when we do receive this all embracing love from the Shepherd we overcome our natural hostility and become loving in the presence of the Lord. But if we wish to speak of God's Kingdom, we must be in unity with Jesus's everlasting Kingdom. Jesus will not disappoint us when we seek His Kingdom in reverent worship. Rather in our waiting, Christ will appear as our King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He will outline the qualities He expects from us in our attempts to abide in His rules. Most important as Jesus elaborates in the Gospel of John, we must love each other in the Gospel He proclaimed to His disciples and sending us, when we submit to His Kingdom in worship. In worship Jesus prepares us to bring people to His peace, not the world's misguided definition. Small wonder that in our faithfulness, we will be prepared to do the work of the Lord relating to those who seek God's help to abrogate their lack of power to cope with hopelessness. Yes, we need to bring people to Jesus's light and in Fox's words "leave them there for Christ to minister to them. . ." We can never doubt that it is essential for us to minister to those who have resisted the power of the Gospel. But for us to minister in Jesus's holy name, we must first receive and accept Jesus' everlasting power. Then we can witness not only with our outward words but as examples of Jesus' love. In that love, we can speak to individuals as well as groups about experiencing Jesus. As a result of our patience and listening, we will become God's ministers prepared to proclaim the good news. That is our message.
Arthur Berk |