I have spent a lot of time trying to find my way on this journey. Coming to Christ and fully understanding His love for me was a process in itself. Learning about Grace has been another one. Taking spiritual baby steps was not what I had planned, but the fact is a great many things I have sought to learn, I've had to explore on my own. I would spend time at the library looking up books that pertained to the theological questions I had. I'm sure that my work schedule did not help and being allergic to reading the Bible did not help either.
I came to faith in Christ at an early age but I'm not sure that I was ready then to learn the big things about Christianity. Many times I felt ill-equipped to handle the things that life would throw at me. Temptation, Peer-pressure, and the Lie of the Pursuit of Happiness were things that I don't think they taught on in Sunday School growing up. My experience with youth group was not much to get excited about. When I finally became serious about trying to be a follower of Christ, I found myself not really knowing what to do, where to go or how to get the right answers.
"How can I, unless someone instructs me?”
With these words the Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8:26- 40) captures the dilemma facing churches today. I believe that our churches are full of people who want to follow Christ but just don't know how. There could be a lot of factors for that. Maybe they were taught to pray a prayer for salvation and never really followed up with. Many have never really been shown or taught what following Him looks like. Many have falsely believed that attendance is what God wants and maybe giving to the offering and missionaries.
For whatever reason, we have sat back for so long thinking we were OK and missed the point of this life completely. When Jesus gave the Great Commission, He did not say to make sure people got saved only. He said to make disciples of all nations. That sounds like a process, not a one-time act. As churches, this should be one of our goals. As individuals, this should be of utmost importance. Are we willing to invest in another's life? If we lead them to Him, should we not help them take the next steps?
To abandon a new believer, one who has just come Home, is contrary to His command. So let's become a people that care enough about others to not only bring them to Him but also to walk with them. Sure they will see us slip and fall. Sure they will take up your time. But it's an investment that is worthy of our time. As the body of Christ we should make a commitment to leave no one behind. That would at least be one less dilemma for our churches to deal with.
I came to faith in Christ at an early age but I'm not sure that I was ready then to learn the big things about Christianity. Many times I felt ill-equipped to handle the things that life would throw at me. Temptation, Peer-pressure, and the Lie of the Pursuit of Happiness were things that I don't think they taught on in Sunday School growing up. My experience with youth group was not much to get excited about. When I finally became serious about trying to be a follower of Christ, I found myself not really knowing what to do, where to go or how to get the right answers.
"How can I, unless someone instructs me?”
With these words the Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8:26- 40) captures the dilemma facing churches today. I believe that our churches are full of people who want to follow Christ but just don't know how. There could be a lot of factors for that. Maybe they were taught to pray a prayer for salvation and never really followed up with. Many have never really been shown or taught what following Him looks like. Many have falsely believed that attendance is what God wants and maybe giving to the offering and missionaries.
For whatever reason, we have sat back for so long thinking we were OK and missed the point of this life completely. When Jesus gave the Great Commission, He did not say to make sure people got saved only. He said to make disciples of all nations. That sounds like a process, not a one-time act. As churches, this should be one of our goals. As individuals, this should be of utmost importance. Are we willing to invest in another's life? If we lead them to Him, should we not help them take the next steps?
To abandon a new believer, one who has just come Home, is contrary to His command. So let's become a people that care enough about others to not only bring them to Him but also to walk with them. Sure they will see us slip and fall. Sure they will take up your time. But it's an investment that is worthy of our time. As the body of Christ we should make a commitment to leave no one behind. That would at least be one less dilemma for our churches to deal with.
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