One God, One People

The young Christian was eating lunch in the cafeteria when he noticed a classmate off to one side of the room, apparently upset. As he considered what to do, the young Christian prayed. “God, he looks like he needs a friend. I’m going over there to talk with him, and if you want to come along, that would be OK, too.”

The young Christian was eating lunch in the cafeteria when he noticed a classmate off to one side of the room, apparently upset. As he considered what to do, the young Christian prayed. “God, he looks like he needs a friend. If you want me to talk with him, pick me up and set me down over there beside him.”

It’s funny how these two comical extremes illustrate our awkwardness in befriending others, particularly when it might lead to talking with someone about Jesus. However, are they really that unusual? One of my Christian friends shares the Gospel freely and easily with a wide range of people. Yet this friend is “so tired of hearing about doctrine;” so tired of reminders about what Christians believe and why. They have God’s love to share, and if God wants to tag along, well, that’s up to Him. Another friend speaks and teaches God’s word with scrupulous attention to doctrine and truth. Yet this friend sees no point in sharing what God’s word has to do with a personal, day to day life. If God wants to make the discussion personal, well, that’s up to Him.

1 Peter 2:9-10 says that we are “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.” God’s words and deeds are still as profoundly alive and active today as they were at the birth of Jesus more than two millennia ago. Some say we need to be more missional while others say we need to be more confessional. Some call for more outreach; others call for more theology. Regardless, God unites His children in Christ. God transforms us into His people, redeemed by the blood of the Lamb, and united at the foot of the cross. We have His good news to share, His truth to tell, and His praises to sing! Happy new year, and happy new life!