Life on Mission – Grow

Romans 12:1-13 (Transformed)

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. (Romans 12:2)

---Learn what God’s will is, and following through with it. You will change. You will grow.

Just as each of us has one body with many members, and those members do not have all the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body and each member belongs to all the others. (Romans 12:4-5)

---When all of us in Christ work toward the same goal of bringing others to the Lord, each using our own gifts according to the grace given us, we grow together.

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. (Romans 12:9-10)

---Be selfless in word and deed. Live genuinely, displaying love toward all others.

This “Life on Mission” journey we are on has thus far focused on connecting, serving, sharing, and now growing. It is important that we as Christ followers remain focused on growing our own understanding of the word, and deepening our relationship with the Father. As we mentor others through their own journey however, there are things we need to do to help them grow as well.

We would never leave the side of a child just as they were beginning to balance on a two wheeled bicycle. In the same way, we must not lead someone to our God and then leave them on their own. It is essential to help them learn how to continue to grow by feeding themselves with the fruit of the vine. Time, patience, materials, groups and prayer are all important to offer them on a regular basis, yet walking along side of them and being a model, a friend and an encourager is truly what they will need.

(Romans 12:12-13) Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

We all have needs of some sort, yet helping others to grow and fulfill their spiritual need has far greater impact than any other need ........indeed!

Romans 12:1-13

He pledges allegiance

“After he had said this, Jesus was troubled in spirit and testified, "I tell you the truth, one of you is going to betray me.”  John 13:21

Jesus was not a naive guy.  Not in the least.

On the contrary, he “knew all people. (John 2:24 ESV)”  So I find it fascinating, how troubled Jesus became at the notion one of his friends would betray him.

Let’s be completely honest with ourselves: betrayal is well within our capabilities, isn’t it?  We’re pretty good at pledging allegiance – we do it with great gusto – but in the heat of the moment, it can be elusive.  Jesus himself foretold that, amid end-times chaos, believers would be betrayed “even by parents, brothers, relatives and friends. (Luke 21:16)”  And when at the Last Supper he revealed to his disciples that one of them would hand him over to his enemies, each tacitly confessed his inner frailty as “one by one they said to him, ‘Surely not I?’ (Matthew 26:22)”  [Note the question mark of self-doubt.]

Sometime after Judas left that evening, Jesus said to his remaining disciples, “I no longer call you servants.... Instead, I call you friends.... (John 15:15)”  And to Jesus, the commitment of friendship is far more than a lofty ideal; his allegiance lasts infinitely longer than a pledge.  His best for his friends means restored oneness – our oneness with the Father through the Son and our oneness with each other through him, as well.

Anything short of restoration and unity is troubling.  Separation from God is troubling; relational brokenness is troubling.

And so unnecessary!  For Jesus has already finished his atoning work; restoration is complete.  Salvation and forgiveness and reunion await humble hearts.  It is his promise, his commitment.

So he sends us, his friends, into the world around us to share our stories ... to point to the peace we find in him ... to relieve troubled hearts.

To see the daily reading, John 13:18-30, click here.