Light of the Gospel

This blog is designed to give people an inner look at a devotional life. Taking time each day to spend time with the Lord. The hope is if you travel on this journey with Rev. Jacob Shaw, you may be more inclined to spend time with the Lord as well. I encourage the use of a devotional, a scripture reading and prayer, then finally some form of artistic mark to tie it all together. 

Today's devotional is taken from: Zacharias, Ravi. The Logic of God: 52 Christian Essentials for the Heart and Mind. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2019. [E-Book] Chapter 32: The Light of the Gospel

Opening Thought: Zacharias revisit the idea of seeing the person behind their belief. In the opening of his book a few chapters were dedicated to driving home the point that behind ever worldview was a world-viewer. This week he revisits this idea by first noting that between different cultures there are subtle differences between what we would perceive as normal or benign. Little difference can be enough sometimes to cause people to dislike or disrespect one another. When you enter into a field of debate as many apologists do, there is extra care needed to assure that one does not approach our brothers and sisters in Christ and out-side of Christ with hostility. Zacharias speaks in his chapter about friendly conversations he would have with a Muslim man while he was touring in Asia. It seems from Zacharias’ story that since both he and his Muslim friend took time to have genuine interest in each other's belief and in each other, it made the relationship, and the conversations which resulted, beneficial.

I always boil down the best conversation and relationship to the premise that the Spirit is being lived out in the relationship and the image of God is being seen horizontally as well as vertically. When we take the time to seek truth in God, we will also seek it through His fingerprints in creation and the people who also seek God as well.

The devotional begins with: Matthew 5:14-16

“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

Second Thought: If you have ever been to a party, where a large number of people have been invited, you will likely know there are two stages to a party. The first stage is usually more superficial, filled with many introductions and pleasantries. Over time as the party winds down, there are usually a select group that anticipate the after party, where people of like minds and lifestyles share a more relatable experience. If you are into sports or movies, maybe the group unwinds with the shared experience of sport or film. If you are into a more physically active social experiences a small group may knowing leave the party to go find a place to dance. Even the more negative habits, like substance abuse, people of like habit will congregate and deviate into their addictions. As much as people like a large social experience, we are called to sit with people who are akin to us.

Now the best experience of after parties I have found are when the people gather for conversation about the big questions and the more difficult answers, theology, philosophy, politics and morality and ethics. This may seem more like a seminar than a party, but for me being able to exchange ideas is one of the best experiences in life. The cream of the crop of these experiences happens when the people engaging see each other as valuable members to the conversation, even if they thoroughly disagree with each other. When you recognize someone else as a truth seeker, your will feel akin to their cause. Even if you do not agree where their seeking has led them, you will respect their conclusions much more readily.

If there is any hope in sharing the Gospel's truth, one must be able to engage at that level of genuine connect. It is the best chance of relaying the message of hope to others. A part of this is because when you see the other as a barer of the image of God, valuable in their own rite, than why wouldn't you want to share with them the best ideas and beliefs from your own life. Genuine care and seeing God's image in other leads to sharing and testimonials.   

Continual Work: Think about some of the best experience you’ve had connecting with people, what was the setting of the exchange, what was discussed and what could you learn from that experience and relate it to your faith journey? 

What Rev. Jacob is Working On: Sometime I come along people who I feel have not had a chance to have a good conversation about the big questions. One of the harder steps about evangelism, and apologetics is inviting people to have the conversations in the first place. Going to spend some time today thinking about my approach ability and my

Prayer for your day: Lord help us to see other people as bearers of your image. Help us to seek truth seekers to exchange our thoughts and feelings with. Help us be patient in spirit to listen to others and hear their ideas and complexities. If we can learn to live for genuine connection, we better live out Your gospel. In Christ’s name, Amen.

Artistic Close: Would you ever travel to another country around the world and just sit in your hotel and watch your favorite television show and just scroll around on facebook. I hope not. You would get out and see what that country and culture was all about. You would want to get to know its people, and how their worldviews shaped their interactions with the world around them. Think of engaging with people like traveling, it helps your grow to go and visit, see the world from their perspectives.

 

Twentieth Century Transportation, a chromolithograph by E.S Yate. Original from Library of Congress. Digitally enhanced by rawpixel.