One Minute Meditation | Sat, May 24

READ

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him (John 3:16-17).

What is the purpose of the Christian Church? The purpose of the Church is for those who are inside the Church to grow in faith and reach the people outside the Church. Sometimes we who are inside the Church find it easy to complain about those outside the Church. We point fingers at those whose morals are less than Biblical. We scoff at those who consider the Church to be irrelevant for today’s culture. We chaff at those who claim all faiths are equally true. In short, it is easy for us to condemn the world. While we do not agree with those who criticize the teachings of Jesus, we still love them enough to share the Gospel. We love them enough to pray that they would see the truth. We love them enough to invite them into our midst to discover the real life Jesus offers. Jesus’ purpose for coming into the world was to save it. This is also the purpose of the Lord’s Church.

REFLECT

Is there someone in your life that ridicules the Christian faith and the Christian Church who needs your love and prayers?

RESPOND

Prayer: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, I thank and praise You for the message of forgiveness, life, and salvation that comes through Your love for me and for all people. Bless me with such a faith that I would pray for those who are outside the Church, especially those who oppose You. I pray in Your powerful and pleasant name.  Amen.