Nice Isn't Everything

I hope you aren't getting bored or tired by the sermon references of late. It's simply hard to ignore when something stands out that relates to ministry or seems to inspire a thought process. However, the one I heard yesterday was absolutely incredible and I'm hoping I catch the second it part of it when it plays today. Either that, or I'll have to find it on his site.

In discussing a prominent issue that our society not only faces, but truly feels as though it is being touted in the face of Christianity, Voddie Bauchum took a few moments to offer some insight as to how and why it seems that we pick and choose what gets followed from Scripture. What I wasn't prepared for was this resounding insight.

"The 11th commandment says 'Thou shalt be nice'. Then we ignore the first ten."

On this #missionsFriday, how important it remains, that we remember that when we share to the unsaved that "all of sinned", that we are apart of the all. As ministry progresses and our maturity in Christ develops, are we not in a dichotomy of sorts? We are both father away from our past and closer to Christ, but does that affect our ability to relate to the lost when the opposite was true in our lives. When we were alive in our sin and dead in Christ?

Yet, as society seems to live further from the existence of God and increasingly seeks to use the flaws of humanity against even those who are saved, it means the conversations will become ever more difficult and all the more necessary.

Nice can be faked.
Truth can't help but be revealed.
But if one can be made to be perceived as being mean, then perhaps they don't have the truth. And then one won't have to hear about their own flaws, nor their own sin.

Christianity is nothing without Christ.
God forgive us for trying to live it without His power and for His purpose.

Well, let us pray. On this #missionsFriday, that God would you quicken the Christian; both in ministry and the marketplace. Pray God would go before us and prepare people to hear and receive the truth, without personal offense. May the love of God transcend people's experience. Pray the details and discrepancies of the state of humanity be set aside; that all that would stand is truth that all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. No matter which laws are followed or broken, pray God would help us communicate that we are all in need of Jesus Christ as Savior. The long-time Christian calls on the name of the Lord as much as they did when the truth of the Gospel was first shared with them... or at least they should. May many more, call on Christ, today and daily, forevermore.

Relationship with God.
Communion with Christ.
A firm foundation of faith.
Speaking the truth
For the advancement of the Gospel.

- PNC

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