Ostrich Believers

Humans naturally gather in communities where we feel safe in in order to live relatively stress free lives. Yet, when the Lord allowed external forces of persecution to disperse the first century believers, the faithfulness and the truth and grace of our Lord Jesus was shared widely with new neighbours, business contacts, government officials and others of various cultures and beliefs. How then do we balance this rhythm of being in the world and yet not being of the world? Needing close Christian fellowship and yet being salt and light in a dark sea of humanity?


When a local church seems to be increasing in numbers, many flock to it, hoping to have some of God's blessings rubbed off on them as they mingle with the `right' group. It is not entirely wrong to do so. Some may have valid reasons for doing that. However, the more natural tendency, after a while, is to become ostrich believers.  We tend to close our eyes to those unable to fit into the `in' group. How sad it is when this happens, especially when the harvest is plenteous but the labourers are few...when there is much food but little salt to preserve it and give it taste because the salt refuses to be taken out of the pot.  Both society and the kingdom of God will be the poorer for this.


Meditation:


Luke 10:29 39


"But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked  Jesus, `And who is my neighbour?'


In reply, Jesus said: `A man was going down from  Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers  ....Which of these three do you think was a neighbour to the  man who fell into the hands of the robbers?'...`Go and do  likewise.'"



 

 

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