Quote:
Originally Posted by Igzy
Because of WN/WL influence, I used to believe that the mission was to build the church. I've since seen that the mission is, as most Christians believe, to disciple the nations. Churches should result and we should be involved in them. But the building of the church, by and large, is the Lord's work. Our work is to gain, disciple and build up believers. When we focus primarily on building the church, we become inwardly focused and neglect the world around us.
The same thing happens when we make being "transformed" or being spiritual our focus; we are constantly checking our spiritual temperature and have very little room or time to be concerned about others. But when we focus on others, and their need to be brought to the Lord and discipled, things start falling into place. Suddenly our spiritual condition is important for the sake of others, not for our "making the kingdom." Usually the result is we experience real growth.
So the real way to grow is to forget about yourself and start taking care of others. Lo and behold, that's the mission.
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Thank you, Igzy. You provide some remarkable insight.
I realized years ago that if we focus on truth and life, we only get deader. If we focus on the gospel for adding to the church ("our" church...), we become shallow. However, when we focus on Christ as our center and the saints as our companions, we are refreshed and the Lord begins to have a way with us.