It seems that in recent years there has been an attempt on the part of Christian leaders and writers to define what the goal of being a Christian should be. Hence books with titles like The Purpose Driven Life, for example. I believe many of these writers do mean well, and they at least are insightful enough to see that American Christians are spiritually ill, very ill. However, I always get a little bit anxious when someone comes along with a new plan or method designed to revitalize the Church, and I get even more uncomfortable when the word relevance begins to pop up. So, why are we here ? Well, some believers say that we are here to take dominion over this world and bring it into submission to Christ. This idea is popular with the more militant because it gives an opportunity for believers to join the CAUSE. It also, unfortunately, leads to attempts to politicise the Church, i.e., Christians need to allign themselves with a particular political party, etc. But I always have this nagging feeling that such an outlook becomes a dangerous distraction; and I seem to recall someone important say that His Kingdom is not of this world, I believe it was Jesus who said so, remember Him?
Then there are those that believe that our main goal must be the evangelism of the lost. I respect these believers much more because they can at least show me scripture like the great commission, for example. But my question is - is that why we are here? Ultimately, while evangelism is important (and we are commanded to do it) it ought to flow out of something greater; namely the contemplation and worship of the Lord Jesus. Why are we here - simply to bring glory to, and to worship The Lord. A.P. Gibbs called it the Christian's highest occupation. It seems that we have a tendency to want to rush out and do a bunch of things for God; when God wants our hearts, our affections, our love, our worship. Show me someone who is in love with the Lord and who can't get enough of spending time with Him, and I'll show you someone who in all likelihood will be living a godly life and sharing the gospel with others. Its really not that complicated.
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"Ultimately, while evangelism is important (and we are commanded to do it) it ought to flow out of something greater; namely the contemplation and worship of the Lord Jesus. Why are we here - simply to bring glory to, and to worship The Lord."
There's a lot this statement infers about our life here. No doubt the obvious inferences (say those about the church) are true and valid. But there are others worth exploring too: is our presence here at least in part because God desires that even in a wicked world, there should be worship to the Son? Does this have implications about apostasy (or "ruin")?
Lots to think about.
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