'when I read the different musings on theRubicon and in other Salvation Army literature, I find myself wondering if we really know what our mission is. Do we now why we exist? Do we have a biblical understanding of what God desires of us?'Dion then goes on to answer his own question - Dion seems like an OK sort of guy but I think his answer is fundamentally flawed - what do you think?
For a balance compare Dion's view with that of Matt Kean - expressed in his excellent and refreshing article 'Our first love' found in the same journal.
Where do you stand?
Love and prayers
A
4 comments:
One question that I'd like to raise with you Andrew is what is our "first love"?
Is our first love supposed to be the preaching of the Gospel, or is it supposed to be He who's Gospel we are preaching?
My understanding has always been that Jesus is my first love, and everything that I do for His Kingdom comes out of that love. Both you and Matt seem to suggest that our first love as Salvationists is based in the doing of Jesus' work, rather than on the relationship we have with Him.
This is not meant as criticism, but rather seeking to clarify your stance. I suspect in the end that whilst we may place the emphasis on different things our striving is towards the same goal.
Graeme
First of all, let me say that I agree we are strivng towards the same goal!
Secondly, Jesus said 'if you love me you will obey my commandements'. You cannot love Christ without loving his commands.
Who is it it that pleases the Father?
Matthew 21:28 says -
"What do you think? There was a man who had two sons. He went to the first and said, 'Son, go and work today in the vineyard.' " 'I will not,' he answered, but later he changed his mind and went. "Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing. He answered, 'I will, sir,' but he did not go. "Which of the two did what his father wanted?" "The first," they answered."
Love and prayers
A
I don't know whether this is correct or not, but you seem to be saying that the only commands of Jesus were to preach the gospel through word, and that only those who do this are really being effective witnesses to His teaching.
Where are the compassionate non-verbal expressions of the Gospel in this? Where are the gentle corrections such as He made to the adulterous woman? Where are the practical expressions of post-Pentecost healing such as the lame man at the Beautiful Gate?
These were acts of love of the sort suggested by Dion and others. Is in your face evangelism of the type advocated by you truly the only way?
Oh and by the way, in answer to the question "Where do you stand?" I stand firmly on the belief that we are empowered by the Holy Spirit to act as God sees fit, and that we should not in anyway hinder the Spirit by insisting that the Lord only works in the ways that we see fit!
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