Aaaah yes, this was the most recent message posted on a church sign I pass everyday. These signs are becoming the bane of my existence. I drive by and want to swerve my truck into the sign, feeling this would do a great service to the community. I obviously have anger issues, but seriously, what is up with these signs? I have vowed to never work at a church that has "marquee" messages. Do these messages really help the kingdom? I definitely have issues. Alright, enough about the church sign, but what about the message?
This particular message promotes an idea of "salvation" that is nothing more than fire insurance. I've got my "Jesus ticket" and now I'm in and don't have to go to the bad place. Is this really what Jesus was promoting? Read your Bible, believe in Him, and Hell will be scared out of you? I think what Jesus is offering is slightly bigger. Our world does not need to hear a message centered around the thought of not going to hell. Not that I'm espousing going to Hell--it really is a bad place, or so I've heard from the voices in my head. The world needs to hear a message of redemption and recreation not just rescue from the really hot place. To be saved from hell is great, but it is not a wholistic view of salvation. Salvation is so much bigger. What Jesus offers to us is so much bigger. He invites us into Kingdom living. To live in the way of Jesus (to steal the words of Rob Bell). To be saved daily by the Gospel. To know that my eternal life is now. To know that I have the opportunity to bring redemption to a hurting world through the message of Jesus is an amazing thing. People want to be made whole, they don't just want to be saved from hell. Jesus makes us whole. Amen.
If you want to read some really intriguing stuff about the "Hebrew mindset" check out this site http://followtherabbi.com
hey jamie- i really like what you had to say....if i had read that i dont think that i would have spent so much time thinking about it, but im glad that you did- i think that you have a very good thought process- keep thinking
ReplyDeleteHey Jordan, thanks for taking the time to read my blog. Appreciate your comments and hope you are having a good day. Keep the comments coming!
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