Ch. 10 – An Inseparable Partnership
As we further explore the “inseparable partnership” between evangelism and social action, we consider the incarnational way in which Jesus loved, served and taught during his earthly ministry in the first century in the Middle East:
Jesus did not throw words at sinners from afar. He lived among them and modeled how the Good News of the kingdom brings radical transformation of the status quo.
So how do we, as followers of Christ sent out into the world as witnesses of his Kingdom, become incarnational missionaries? What does it look like in our particular context? We can speculate or surmise what it might look like if we were in the Middle East, for example, but what about right here in Lancaster, with our current job, our current friends, our current lifestyle? What would have to change?
Sider discusses the ways in which Christians turning a blind eye to injustice undermines the saving message of Jesus. Likewise,
Social action that creates good jobs in the inner city and gets rid of drug operations will make it easier for new converts to be faithful disciples of Jesus.
Do you agree with this assertion? If so, what might you and I be able to do in our city and community to create a context in which it would be easier for new Christians to become mature disciples of Jesus? If you disagree with Sider’s premise, why?
Here’s another post from my good friend, boss, and pastor at GBC. He writes:
“It seems to me that the preaching of the gospel can’t be truly separated from its social implications. To do so is to preach a partial gospel that is merely “spiritual” or “supernatural”…So, what is the responsibility of the church?…In short, we need to be what Christ called us to be: salty, light-giving, neighbor-loving, disciple makers.”
To read the entire post, visit http://blog.9marks.org/
“Social Action and the Church”.