In days past when I was a software engineer, a workmate was stunned when an Australian Christian leader said that the church does not have good deeds as its primary aim.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Even people in my circles get this around the wrong way.
Yes, Christians are commanded (and try) to love God and love others. Frankly, that’s being truly human. But there is a particular act of love that is God’s mission to the world. You know it. You’ve seen it on t-shirts at American sports games. John 3.16: God loved the world this way – he sent Jesus – so that whoever trusts Jesus won’t perish but have life forever.
This is the truly offensive Christian claim: God sent Jesus as a rescuer. Without trusting Jesus, people will perish permanently.
This is why all other acts of love are secondary. It is all well and good for the firefighter to feed people stuck in a burning building – but if he doesn’t deal with their greatest need – well, he’s a pretty lousy rescuer.
Yes, we will continue to love you in all kinds of ways – but we won’t stop talking about this rescue from Jesus because we love you too much to be silent.
St Paul’s Anglican Church meets on Sundays at 9am with kids church. All welcome.
