A friend of mine sent me a link to a round-table discussion between 4 people with different religious viewpoints. One of speakers was a woman who was an ex-prostitute and who's ministry was to prostitutes. Jesus saved her out of the deception and darkness of prostitution and into the light of his truth. She now spends her time trying to share that truth with prostitutes. That is what she knows.
CS Lewis was an atheist. Jesus saved him out of the deception and darkness of atheism. Much of his ministry and writing was directed at explaining Jesus to atheists. That is what he knew.
Tommy Nelson used to be a college athlete. He was chasing fulfillment in the things of this world - money, fame, entertainment, etc. Often in his ministry, he speaks to this and how Jesus saved him out of it. He spends his time trying to lead people out of a shallow worldly existence and into the fullness that comes with a relationship with Jesus Christ. That is what he knows.
There are leaders of Celebrate Recovery and other similar programs all over the nation who were deceived by the darkness of drugs and alcohol. Jesus saved them from that life. They now spend their time sharing the truth and saving power of Jesus with people who are involved in drugs and alcohol. That is what they know.
A lot of my posts on this blog relate to Mormonism. Mormon's like to say that "You can leave the church, but you can't leave it alone." They intend to imply that because ex-Mormon Christians tend to direct their ministry towards Mormon's, that this somehow validates the LDS beliefs and claim to be the only "true" church.
Just as with the prostitute, the atheist, the suburban world seeker, and the alcoholic; when Jesus saves people from darkness, he often puts it in their heart to love and minister to people who are in the same darkness. It is what we know. This desire comes from the love that Jesus has put in us.
Yes, part of this ministry involves tearing some things down. Not people, but ideas. The idea that prostitution is the only possible life must be torn down. The idea that there is no God must be torn down. The false promises of worldliness must be torn down. The lie that substances are needed for happiness must be torn down. Not out of hate, but out of love for the people.
Just like the woman's ministry comes from a love for prostitutes and a desire to see them saved, CS Lewis's ministry comes from a love for atheists and a desire to see them saved, Recovery leaders ministry comes from a love for the drug addict and a desire to see them saved - my purpose comes from a love for the Mormon people and a desire to see them saved.
Saved from a life of trying to earn what has already been purchased. Saved from the burden of unattainable, un-biblical expectations. Saved to the freedom that is in Jesus Christ. Saved to an assurance of our place with God. Saved from an obedience of fear of damnation to an obedience of faith and gratitude because Jesus paid it all. Saved to unmerited joy and peace.
What kind of crappy Christian would I be, if I didn't speak to the people who I know and love about the truth that God has shown me?
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