embodying Christ right where we live
| February 22nd, 2007Another thought-provoking post from inward/outward:
The church founded by Jesus is intended to be the embodiment, the incarnation, of who he is so that he might be seen, discovered, known, experienced in the local corporate life of those who have been invaded by him. I emphasize the word local. What would a true expression of Christ?’s body look like today, in the neighborhoods where we live, if it really embodied the essence of Jesus lived out corporately?
I think the central question for those of us who are in Christ and are eager to obey his ?follow me? is how to be authentic church in the 21st century. How can we learn from our unfaithfulness to God?’s covenant in the past? How can we embody, incarnate, become the local expression of Christ?’s body now?
I think key incarnation characteristics of Jesus….that a world would find hard to ignore…is REAL love…unconditional. (when you ask someone how they are…and really care about the answer enough to do something for them). Also REAL compassion. That is marked by giving up your time and comfort to meet people where they are. Also REAL humility. Not giving to get or to be seen, but based in the knowledge that the ground is level at the cross and every person is precious to God. Also REAL servanthood. (goes with the rest). Also..REAL power. We can heal the sick, pray in faith and see results, etc. Who wants to follow a God who can’t really do what He says? Who wants to read a book and obey it if it isn’t “living?” Our own connection to God is key. As we spend time personally in His presence…we’ll look, sound, act, and reflect who we have been watching and listening to.