Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Big Story

The theme of the Bible is the Kingdom of God. The idea of kingdom suggests there is one ruler. In the Christian world view, we believe that God created the world. It was created for good. God took care of his creation, including the people he created. The people glorified and blessed God in return and cared for his creation.

After the people decided to contradict the way of God, this world was and is being destroyed by evil. Everyone can recognize that this world is a mess. Inherently, we all know that things were different in the past or can be different in the future. God loves his creation too much to leave the world and its people in this mess. So, God came to the earth as Jesus. He taught us the Kingdom of God (Way of God). He healed and helped people, undoing the works of Satan. Ultimately, Jesus laid down his life as a sacrifice for the sins of all people. Whoever believes and trusts Jesus become part of God's family (kingdom), receiving everlasting life.

God’s mission is to re-establish connection with his creation through willing acceptance of his ways and his authority. Our mission as Christ followers is committed participation to the reconciliation of God’s creation to the kingdom of God. In other words, after a person accepts salvation through Jesus Christ as Lord (ruler), he or she accepts an assignment to be sent out to heal and to bless others.

When God called Abraham on this journey of faith, he promised to bless him. Abraham was blessed by God to be a blessing to all of the families on earth. God's blessing in our life is to be shared with others. We receive Christ individually to become part of God's Big Story. God blesses us to be a blessing. Jesus said the greatest commandment is to love God with all of our heart, soul, mind and body. He continued saying the second command is to love our neighbor as ourselves.

Let's all get busy loving God and loving others.

Peace,

Stan