Thursday, September 9, 2010

Job requirements?

One day about 18 years ago I was sitting in my living room reviewing a class I wanted to offer to our church. A Parenting Seminar for parents of young children, I have always wanted to share what I have learned about parenting with other parents to help them to be the best parents they can be.

I will never forget this one idea that was presented by child psychologist Dr Kevin Leman. He said “You are required to have a license to drive a car to sell insurance and practice law but not to be a parent, one of the most important jobs on the planet”
He quietly presents a serious question. Should there be a requirement to be a parent? A more direct question should be, how do you prepare someone who is about to become
a parent?

I have been asking myself the past few days, should there be a requirement to be able to call yourself a Christian. This is of course an impossible question, no answer is right or wrong and it is unenforceable on every possible level.

However think for just a moment how low is the bar set?

What should be the standard required to EARN the title ”Christian”?
What do you think?

Your family is Christian?
You believe in God?
You pray?
You read the Bible?
You are “Saved” ? (You have invited Jesus into your heart and have excepted the gift of salvation)
You attend church?
You tell others about your relationship with God?
You attend Bible College?

I hope you are thinking about your relationship with God, what does it look like.
You and I have been given an important job. It is both incredibly simple and very complex at the same time.

The simple - Deliver a message to the world.
The complex – Understand the message we are to deliver

Our message is this “God loves you and forgives you”. Jesus left no question of his intent in John 12: 47 "As for the person who hears my words but does not keep them, I do not judge him. For I did not come to judge the world, but to save it.
Also John 3: 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

No matter where you fall in the list above, this is your message to the world. Jesus loves you. It’s the perfect message, it fits everyone you meet. It is the foundation of the Gospel of Jesus our Christ.
Just keep saying that over and over, then start praying about that over and over.
Jesus loves you!

See you in Church!

Ps Steve

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