CLARIFYING MY ACTIONS

Since I’ve been sharing with groups here in the US about what I’ll be doing in K-town, I’ve realized that there’s room for some clarification.  God’s children (and the Church today) have been commanded throughout history to worship God, be faithful, and to make him known.  We’ve been commanded to stand for justice (Ezekiel 16:49-50, Amos 2:6-8, 4:1-3, 5:12-15, 21-24, Micah 6:1-8) We’ve been called to serve those in need as if they’re Christ himself (Matthew 25:31-46).  Our lifestyle of serving others in need is what proves that the Spirit of God lives within us (James 2:14-26).

Matthew 5:13-16 explains that we are salt and light in this world, and that the purpose of all this salting and lighting is to bring people to a place of worship before God.  All this is not to create our own utopian society on our own accord as we merely follow Jesus' moral example.  Yes, we do follow his example as the standard.  However, it is the Holy Spirit who works through us by his grace, and all that he does through us, for others, is meant to point them toward the life, death, resurrection, forgiveness, new life, and hope in Jesus. 

As I move into a slum in K-town, I do not plan to create a utopia divorced of the gospel.  My prayer is that all that I do, and every way that I serve, will create an opportunity for the gospel to be heard and seen in it’s fullness.  I need to practice what I preach.  My lifestyle of action will form a credible foundation on which the gospel can be seen more clearly - a foundation which validates the gospel I preach.

In addition, I have a ton to learn as I move into the slum!  Language, culture, context, and survival to name a few biggies.  As I learn language, build relationships, hear people’s stories and religious beliefs, only then will I know HOW to clearly and sensitively share the gospel in a way that makes sense in a relevant way linguistically, culturally, and personally in their unique circumstance.  As I pray that God will open these doors for the clear sharing of the gospel, I will be looking for ways to demonstrate the gospel with my actions, attitudes, and way of life as I journey in solidarity with my neighbors.  Please pray that I’m sensitive to the Holy Spirit and responsive to how exactly I should communicate the gospel with my words, actions, attitude, and lifestyle.  By grace, God will use me, along with your much needed prayers.