God's Reputation

Being a huge lover of music, I often having songs playing in my head, especially since, I almost have music on. Something happened yesterday though, as an unexpected song made a spiritual connection.

Of all the songs, I had Bon Jovi's You Gave Love a Bad Name stuck in my head

It wasn't long until I had a moment that many Christians experience... assigning human characteristics to God. As we look to God as our Heavenly Father, we often consider how His words would come across as an actual Father. As children of God and joint-heirs with Christ, how would Jesus sound as a brother?

So God is Love. And consider Bon Jovi's song from His perspective. Having accepted God's forgiveness and love for our own lives, we are to share and convey that to those around us. And all to often, we fall short.

I read this morning of a new pastor who walked into the church on his first Sunday, dressed as a homeless man. Nobody greeted him, invited to buy him a coffee, etc. Then when he was introduced to the church, the congregation stopped clapping as they realized who was walking towards the pulpit.

He proceed to quote the passage about "sharing a cup of cold water, clothing the naked, inviting in those without shelter and visiting those in jail" He then dismissed the service, leaving them to ponder his open words... that he had walked into a gathering of people rather than the church of Jesus.

Like the Bon Jovi lyrics read, I played my part and you played your game.

God so loved the world, that He sent His only Son to take our place for the consequence of sin.

He has done His part.
Sadly, many Christians are playing their game.

On this #communitySaturday, pray the church leaves the game and engages the community as the actual body of Christ. May we share the love of God and the message of Christ in real and tangible ways, reaching out to those in obvious need and getting to know those whose needs may not be so obvious. As all have sinned and come short of the glory of God, every person has one need that is obvious, even if they don't recognize it as the need of salvation. May the power of the Holy Spirit quicken and empower the church today, to live, experience and communicate who God is, in ways the bring honor and glory worthy of what He has done in the lives of those who have accepted His Son as Lord and Savior.

Only God is good. And He is all we have need of... for this and every day we have breath.

- PNC

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