Christianity Is Back, and You Can Sense It…and So Can We
George Shamblin2022-01-20T14:55:58+00:00
– Friedrich Nietzsche
1st
We will offer no more disclaimers for what we believe. Statements such as “we’re sorry, but we happen to believe in the Bible.” Or, “we’re sorry, but we happen to believe in Jesus,” are a thing of the past. Christians tripping over themselves to apologize has always struck me as odd, to begin with, especially considering how faith is to experience Jesus in the most real of ways. Regardless, I feel that you, our culture, are more willing than ever to experience the same. “Come and see for yourself” is what our Faith’s Founder has to say. What’s required is to take a first step towards “a far more excellent way.” (1st Cor. 12:31)
2nd
We promise to be winsome in the sincerest of ways. True Christlikeness means being like Christ, actually. Jesus of Nazareth had the remarkable ability to pair hard truths with unbridled love. In one breath, He could admonish, “Whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, I will be ashamed of him.” And in the next breath, implore, “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy laden, and you will find rest for your souls.” Since the Spirit of Jesus abides within us, He has enabled us to do the same. I’m happy to say that winsomeness is back from its long absence. It’s what I believe makes our faith most contagious.
3rd
We’re breaking out of our “holy huddles” and getting back into the fray—shame on us for having retreated from the public sector in the first place. We learned a valuable lesson in the interim: just as a rising tide can lift all ships, Christians can elevate the public discourse. That will only occur by keeping directives like these before us: “Aim for perfect harmony, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.” (2nd Cor. 13:11) “Let no unwholesome word come out of your mouth, but if there is any good word for edification according to the need of the moment, say that, so that it will give grace to those who hear.” (Eph. 4:29)
4th
We’re changing our ways and finally getting this one right: by living a life of “Please do as we do, not only as we say.” It’s a simple challenge borrowed from Paul, who said, “imitate me as I imitate Christ.” Our past hypocrisy is inexcusable. We’ve left countless souls lost in our wake. We’re not going to keep handing out excuses for denying Christ due to our lack of Christlikeness. We’re walking to a new tune as of late. Character traits such as honesty, virtue, humility, and agreeableness now define us. From here out, our integrity will be king.
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