Somewhere back in the 80's, someone came up with the idea of mission
statements. In these a business would put its core values on paper, usually
then framed and mounted so its patrons could see them. They would state for
instance, "to be the best service department, to always fix your vehicle right
the first time." And created a whole new set of rules-as I learned at Mercedes
Benz, we couldn't always fix the cars, so we had to fix the customers. And in
an age where the consumer started to rule, we weren't smart enough to recognize
the Honda sign meant Honda, or the Chevy sign meant Chevy-we had to make the
experience feel good. And even after the third or fourth try, the free details
or loaner cars kept them coming back, feeling good about the person they dealt
with, but not having the problem remedied. Somehow the old mantra taught by
parents of "if you drop it pick it up, open it, close it, and turn it on, then
turn it off" didn't apply. Unless you felt good about it. Then it was
OK....
To celebrate the 100th anniversary of the US of A, the French sent us the
Statue of Liberty. In pieces, to be assembled, by US hands. Which took over
three years, and cost as much to assemble as it did to build...not sure if that
is a gift, or not. With the hallowed words on it, "give me your tired, your
poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free..." thus establishing our
immigration policy via their gift. Which today many use to become legal US
citizens, but that many take advantage of, and then aided by a powerless
government, enter illegally. Usurping the meaning of the words "we the
people..." Where a nation was once conceived in liberty, where all men were
thought to be created equal, it has taken too many laws, too many dollars and
too much heartache, when all we need to do is go back to the Declaration of
Independence, and the Constitution. But a feel good mission statement from the
French has opened up the door for what was never meant to be. Maybe we need to
revisit our own Mission Statement, or send a gift to the French...with an
invoice!
I get many e-mails from different ministries and churches. And if I don't
know them, I check out their web site to find out about them. One that I read
recently caught my attention, as it went into great detail outlining what they
believed, and dealt with social as well as spiritual issues. And after reading
it, I felt like because I didn't agree with all of them, that I would not be
welcome. They took a pious approach, an I'm better than you, and you need to
match up to us approach, just the opposite of many old line religions, who are
inviting anyone in to boost their declining numbers, and inviting their sin
inside, instead of just the sinner. After reading this church's 18+ beliefs, I
was reminded of the law... and how it kills. And how the spirit gives life. I
had a postcard once that stated, "don't brag about what a great lover you are,
show me!" And I think about how Jesus took all the 600+ laws of Moses, and
condensed them into two-love God with all your heart, and love your neighbor as
yourself.
And an article by Ray Stedman put it into words I relate to-When religion
becomes complex, it is falling away from Christ. Ask yourself, are you bound up
within denominational rules, church regulations, and social mores that just add
to more religion and less Jesus? Are you trendy and contemporary? Can you
explain the gospel, in its simplicity, to a 5 year old? Are you seeking God,
and listening to His spirit rather than following trends? Do you have more
books about God lining your shelf, from studies, and know all about God-but do
you not know Him personally? Can you in 25 words or less, tell us about your
life in Jesus?
May I suggest John3:16, you know "for God so loved the world..." for your
essay. For when you have the spirit of God, you will bear Godly fruit, and we
won't need to know your opinion on each subject, we will know by your fruit that
you walk with Jesus. Love, joy, peace. patience, goodness, kindness, meekness,
longsuffering, and self control. Do these words describe your walk with Christ,
or do you need a church's belief's to outline your walk? Does your life match
up to the Mission Statement of John3:16? I know Christians who are Pro-Choice,
who drink and smoke, who are divorced, and live in sin-trying to live under
laws, only to fail. They have given their lives to Jesus-just never surrendered
their lives-He is their savior, just not Lord. And they miss the blessings of
God.
Which is where self control comes in-think of it as choice. The choices
we make show others the Jesus in us. I choose to not live in sin, just as I
choose to accept God's grace and His spirit. Remember God looks for unity in
the spirit, not unity within a church or set of laws-it is all about Jesus! We
change to be like Him-not the other way around.
So review your relationship with Jesus today, keep it fresh. Spend time at
the cross, and don't forget to still pick up your cross to follow Him. You had
to put something down to pick it up, make sure you are not still carrying the
extra baggage. Make your life a statement with a mission...not just a feel good
experience. For love in not an emotion, but a person-Jesus Christ.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com