Dave’s Monday Blast – September 5, 2016
Happy Labor Day!
I have been reading a book of late by the President of Biola University (my Alma Mater) entitled Love Kindness – Discover the Power of a Forgotten Christian Virtue. In this compelling read Barry Corey makes the case that what is missing in the Church of Jesus Christ today is KINDNESS.
We look around at the broken state of our world…with its cultural shifts, political disarray, refugee crises, racial strife and spiritual emptiness…it’s natural to want radical, sudden change. But much like a building doesn’t materialize overnight; God doesn’t bring transformation in dramatic, all-at-once moments, at least not usually. Instead, he uses the steady, faithful work of people seeking to be obedient with the callings and vocations He’s given them (Ephesians 2:10). He uses the Spirit-produced fruit of His Spirit-filled image-bearers. That be you, my brothers!
Corey says, “As Christians, we’re called to be faithful disciples who are being conformed daily to the character of Christ, trusting that He is at work in ways we don’t see. One of the ways we do that is by INTENTIONALLY pursuing Christ-like KINDNESS. Kindness isn’t the same as niceness. It’s a courageous, counter cultural and sometimes costly posture of the heart. A robust understanding of this ‘forgotten virtue’ can have a profound impact on how we as Christians share our faith, engage in politics and serve the marginalized (of which we have also become), bridge racial divides and go about our day-to-day work.”
The TRUTH of who Jesus Christ is TRANSFORMS our lives and it is to these realities that we are to TESTIFY to others. No matter what paradigm we select to testify to the transforming power of truth we must execute it with a spirit of KINDNESS to make it compelling.
That’s good isn’t it!
Next week I want to tie this idea in with a familiar passage from Micah 6. In the meantime:
1. Get a copy of this book…$8.66 from Kindle…it is a must read.
2. Practice KINDNESS in your conversations and actions…it makes our disciple making efforts most effective.
