I was planning a part 2 for my last post but this has been on my heart this week so Ill be getting to the other later on.
I am part of a weekly Bible study where we go through the Word discussing and sharing with each other as we go. I just need to say that it has been a tremendous blessing to me and has helped me develop real friendships and grow in my faith.
Lately we have been going through the book of Hebrews and really trying to find out what the author was saying to the Hebrew Christians he addressed the letter to and how we can derive timeless principles that God has placed there for us to make application in our own life.
Last week as we were studying parts of chapter 11 and while discussing the faith of Noah we got on the subject of being a witness to the lost and what it means to maintain a good witness in and out of the Christian community. It has really got me thinking and I have some thoughts I would like to share on that subject.
I need to admit first of all that as a follower of Christ I have in the past placed some unrealistic self imposed rules and regulations on myself about how I am going to act around people in order to “protect” my witness instead of being myself. A mask if you will. Sooner or later I end up not living up to those self-imposed regulations and as a result confuse people about what following Christ is about. I send a message that following Christ is following rules and make myself out to be a hypocrite when I don’t live up to them. I’m not being real. I am placing a false burden on myself to reach people and not allowing Christ to reach people through me.
The last thing people in the world need or want is something that isn’t real. The lost grope their way through life living to find some fulfillment in things that will never fill. Disappointment after disappointment trusting and placing hope in the things of world that promise real life but never deliver. It leaves most people skeptical about the next thing while they search desperately for someone or something that is real.
Jesus told us that we are the salt and light of the Earth and to me that has nothing to do with being rule followers. It means Jesus followers. To me it has little to do with “protecting” our witness outside of being real with those around us and letting them see the reality of Christ in our lives.
There is a real peace in the life of a believer even during a crisis that speaks of a God who saves.
When people become aware of our real desire to forgive when the world tells us we should get even or bitter, we are salt.
When people become aware that we sometimes make bad choices but we trust in God to forgive us and restore us and then put us back on the right track, we are light.
When we recklessly love all people without concern for any compensation, we are salt.
When we let go of the guilt and shame from our past knowing we are forgiven and cleansed by Jesus, we are light.
When others see us living out a faith in knowing who we are and where we are going, we are salt.
When we display the true freedom that Christ has given us in Him, we are being “good” (and I use that term very lightly) witnesses by allowing Him to be seen in us and through us, we are light.
Being real is much better than trying to live up to a bunch of self-imposed rules huh?
WONDERWHAT 
To live by grace means to acknowledge my whole life’s story, the light side and the dark. In admitting my shadow side, I learn who I am and what God’s grace means. – Brennan Manning
A saint is not someone who is good, but rather someone who experiences the goodness of God. – Thomas Merton
I gotta say man, you have stolen the very thoughts from my heart. This is too cool. I’m reminded of just a few of my most favorite authors, Brennan Manning, Michael Yaconelli, and also of Donald Miller. Manning speaks of us who share this level of spirituality as Ragamuffins. Yaconelli calls our walk with Christ a messy spirituality. Miller writes a series of essays if you will in his book Blue like Jazz and calls them, “non religious thoughts on christian spirituality.” A spiritual advisor to Brennan Manning once told him, “Brennan, give up trying to look like a saint. It will be a lot better for everybody.”
When I get honest, I admit I am a bundle of paradoxes. I believe and I doubt, I hope and I get discouraged, I love and I hate, I feel bad about felling good, I feel guilty for not feeling guilty. I am trusting and suspicious. I am honest and still play games. Aristotle said I am a rational animal; I say I am an angel with an incredible capacity for beer.
I visited and worshipped with you guys last Sunday and began to wish that I lived in the PC area. Your fellowship is as close to real christian spirtuality as I have come in my 9 years of being in the fold. I love all of you, and pray God’s blessing on your ministry and fellowship. I will return.
Peace, Tony (Mobile Alabama)
A reply as well as a comment? Well I love to write. I write lyrics and poetry always, but I will just say I think I summed up my feelings on what Rob wrote in my comment. Absolutely awesome. Now if I could only get the email addresses of all the pharisees we could give em something to chew on. God bless em and I still love em though. My first 3 years as a Christian was spent in a legalistic church. It was my first experience of church at all. I learned a lot and un learned a lot too. It wasn’t too long after Jesus invaded my heart that I began to feel pounced on by my own spiritual siblings. What’s this about? I asked. Then I read a book entitled “Ragamuffin Gospel” and more recently
“Fakers, Posers and Wannabees”. Both by the same athor. Thanks Rob for writing this. You are an awesome brother, man. I hope to meet you and shake your hand, oh heck, I wanna hug you man. Much love.
Peace, Tony (Mobile Alabama)
Are you the Luke that used to go to Eastgate? If so we have been thinking about you a lot, wondering how you are. If you are the same, let me know, you can email us at shiralln@gmail.com