Hi guys.
I've been really challenged recently by this question:
'How far can I go for the Kingdom of God?
Let me unpack this a little bit. So as Christians we are called to go into the world and make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28v19). We see Jesus completely turning laws and rules on their heads and hang out with 'sinners', dine with prostitutes, reverse the religious laws of the day, break sabbath laws, do the completely unthinkable, all in the name of the Kingdom. Today we have been reading about Him healing the sick on the Sabbath, something completely forbidden by Jewish law and frowned down upon. Breaking some of these laws in that day and age could have resulted in death. (See Matthew 12v9-14 for example). Jesus goes beyond the law, breaks the rules and risks his own life, all in the name of His Father - God.
I loved Friday's verse - Matthew 9v9 in which Jesus calls Matthew, a tax collected, to follow Him. I love the fact that befriending this 'sinner' enabled Jesus to hang out with even more 'sinners' in Matthew's house (Matthew 9v10) and therefore have more opportunities to share the love of God. Challenging stuff for us to think about. Do we choose our friends because we like the nice, easy, comfortable Christian bubble? Do we choose them to mutually encourage eachother? Or do we choose them because we have an opportunity to share and be Christ to them? I think all are relevant, but need the right balance.
But, still, where does this leave us? Which 'rules' can we choose to follow, and which can we choose to overturn in the name of Jesus? How far can we go in the name of the Gospel? Let me share some personal examples to illustrate this further.
So this year I have explored some new territory and begun dating a lovely man who is not a Christian. It is hard work at times, particularly when our beliefs and values clash. I for one am constantly reminded of the verse in 2 Corinthians 6v14 about not being yoked together with non-believers. I am very aware of this and still unsure as to what I think or whether I am doing the right thing. It is the current journey I am on. Hopefully it will be a long journey, but who knows. Yet this amazing guy, thanks to God using me and working in the situation, has attended church many times and is hopefully exploring things further in an Alpha course. He has a deeper understanding of God, and has really had his eyes opened to God, Jesus, church, Christianity and so on; something which he probably would never have pursued had I not been with him. Now I'm not saying this to get into a debate about whether it's ok to be with a non-believer or not. I just want to illustrate this as an example of the extent to which we could go for the kingdom. Is this too far?
Another example is this. I have lived in a house for 3 years with non-believers and non-church goers. Contrary to some opinions and some Biblical principals, I have chosen to stay here and be a witness in the house, and in this community. Now with this, I realise that on many occasions my standards have slipped. I have become more worldly and have joined in with some of the things that go on in my house, not all of which are good. Perhaps I would be better off living with believers and thus be encouraged in my faith, built up, surrounded by 'holy-living' people and so on. I chose not to, partly for the great opportunity it has been to be a witness. Praise God, because so many good things have come from this decision. One good friend has now moved out but in her new house has Bible verses painted all over her living room. One new housemate is a Christian and wants to come to church with me, and through witnessing to two other housemates, they are planning on attending the next Alpha course.
Is it therefore ok to compromise a little bit if it means furthering the Kingdom? Is it ok to live as a witness 24/7 and see fruit, at the cost of a few slip ups and compromises along the way? I've heard of Christians in America going to porn conventions to preach the gospel. Excellent! However, at the same time are they not compromising their faith and putting stumbling blocks in the way? I heard of one woman preaching at Momentum this year who ran a Salvation Army stall at a Sex conference in the USA, all in the name of Jesus.
How far is too far? How far is acceptable? Jesus was quite extreme, I must say.
Finally Helen Roberts wonderfully preached this morning about being a witness in community but at the same time remaining in God. It was wonderful, and if you missed it you can catch up on the church website www.watfordcommunitychurch.org. One thing she mentioned was about being supernatural and not superficial. We need to be real. Well REALLY there are prostitutes, fraudsters, tax dodgers, liars, sex offenders, adulterers, scammers and so on in our communities and in our world. If we remain locked into our Christian bubbles, how are we ever going to reach these people? Yet if we hang out with them too much, we risk becoming like them, compromising our faith, being led astray. So how far is too far? Jesus hung out with these people and remained without sin. Shouldn't we do likewise?
Perhaps the answer is to remain in God first and foremost as Helen said. Then He can guide us and lead us to places. But surely some of our witness needs to be from us in that we are strong, bold, willing to go out and get dirty, and so on?
So, back to my original question.
How far can I go for the Kingdom?
Answers in the comment box below!
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