Friday, August 13, 2010

The Word became flesh...

      As believers we have been "gifted" to add value to the lives of people. We've been called to love people--the best and the worst--with a love that looks past what they are and sees whose they are, and what they can be.

Whether or not they come to Christ, is not my responsibilty.  That is the work of the Holy Spirit.  He uses me to be sure.  But it's not a "head thing".  It's a heart thing.  When I selflessly serve people in a way that adds value to their lives;  I reflect Christ--no, I flesh out Christ--and they wonder, "Why, what's in this for you?"  When (if) we are given opportunity to answer that question, our witness is powerful becasue the reality of Christ in us has manifested itself in an "incarnational"--they have seen Christ in/through us--way that is compelling...and used by the Holy Spirit to transform hearts, minds and lives.

All this to say that any evangelistic effort that does not wholistically address--begin with-- the felt needs of people and work toward their spiritual needs is something less than the gospel.

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