JRMITCH85 advent, Faith

A Fulfilling Love

Embracing God’s love as the foundation for our relationships and mission is like anchoring our lives in an unshakable truth. The divine source empowers us to extend love to others, mirroring the boundless love God has shown us. In the intricate tapestry of faith, Mary’s acceptance of God’s plan becomes a profound example of surrendering to divine will, illustrating that we can align our lives with God’s purpose through faith and trust.

The angelic message to Mary echoes through time, resonating with the overarching theme of divine intervention and the miraculous unfolding of God’s plan. It symbolizes the transformative power of the Holy Spirit in bringing forth something extraordinary from the ordinary, highlighting that God’s love is not bound by the limitations of the natural world. Mary’s acceptance becomes a beacon, urging us to embrace the unexpected with faith and humility.

26 In the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, 27 to a virgin betrothed to a man named Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary. 28 He came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” 29 But she was greatly troubled at the saying and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. 30 And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. 31 And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. 32 He will be great and called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.” 34 And Mary said to the angel, “How will this be, since I am a virgin?” 35 And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God. 36 And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. 37 For nothing will be impossible with God.” 38 And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her. 

Luke 1:26-38 (ESV)

God’s call to manifest His love in the world is a grand invitation to participate in the redemption of humanity. The promise to mend the brokenness caused by sin underscores the magnitude of God’s love, which goes beyond forgiveness to restoring our relationship with Him. This divine mission is a testament to love’s profound impact on healing and reconciling a fractured world.

In our human journey, self-doubt often becomes a stumbling block, hindering us from fully realizing our purpose. Yet, the call to carry out God’s love is a powerful antidote to such doubts. It encourages us to transcend our insecurities, trusting that God’s love working through us is greater than any perceived inadequacy. This empowerment enables us to step boldly into our calling, knowing that God equips those He calls.

The timeless directive to love one another, even those with whom we may not see eye to eye, is a clarion call to transcend differences. This commandment invites us to extend God’s love unconditionally, recognizing that His love weaves us together in the tapestry of diversity. It’s a reminder that our ability to love is not contingent on our feelings but rooted in our response to God’s love.

The reassurance that all things are possible with God is an anchor when facing challenges in the journey of love. It prompts us to turn to God for guidance, acknowledging His love is a constant source of strength and wisdom. Living out His teachings becomes a tangible expression of this love, turning the abstract concept of divine love into a lived reality in our daily interactions.

The narrative of Joseph and Mary, intertwined with the proclamation of Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem, becomes a poignant symbol of God’s faithfulness and the fulfillment of His promises. Seeking God’s love and honoring His promises in our lives becomes a testament to the enduring nature of divine love, echoing through the ages as a source of hope and inspiration. The shepherds’ proclamation signifies the joyous announcement of God’s love breaking into the world, inviting us to share in celebrating this transformative love story.

In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. 2 This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. 3 And all went to be registered, each to his own town. 4 And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, 5 to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. 6 And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. 7 And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn. The Shepherds and the Angels 8 And in the same region there were shepherds out in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. 10 And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. 12 And this will be a sign for you: you will find a baby wrapped in swaddling cloths and lying in a manger.” 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, 14  “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” 15 When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” 16 And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger. 17 And when they saw it, they made known the saying that had been told them concerning this child. 18 And all who heard it wondered at what the shepherds told them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart. 20 And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen, as it had been told them. 21 And at the end of eight days, when he was circumcised, he was called Jesus, the name given by the angel before he was conceived in the womb. 

Luke 2:1-21 (ESV)
JRMITCH85 Decisions, Faith, Hope

Everything Begins With Joy

Music, laughter, and smiles surround us during the advance toward Christmas. The decorations and songs intend to bring joy to the people around us. Unfortunately, we are caught up in the same anxieties and troubles that entrap us through the year. Joy coming from the Spirit of God serves as a counterexample to the commercialized feeling of the Advent. As we prepare for Christ’s coming, we need to heed the example of Mary upon hearing of Christ’s coming and respond with joyful expectation. This is also the example that Paul asked of the Church in Thessalonica. 

16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not despise prophecies, 21 but test everything; hold fast what is good. 22 Abstain from every form of evil. 23 Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it. 

1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 (English Standard Version)

The Christian life is to be rooted in a spirit of continuous joy, prayer, and thanksgiving. Embracing the spirit of Christmas, let the joy within us illuminate the world. As we navigate life’s challenges, let’s cultivate a heart filled with gratitude, prayer, and celebrating the good in every circumstance. Starting the day with a prayer for more joy sets the tone for a positive and uplifting experience. In the face of adversity, rejoicing always becomes a beacon of hope, and constant prayer is a guiding light through the darkest moments.

In a world that may seem overwhelming and unsettling, the call to rejoice, pray without ceasing, and give thanks in all circumstances becomes a powerful testament to our faith. It is a reminder that joy is not contingent on external circumstances but is a gift from a loving and omnipotent God. As we approach the new year, let’s carry the light of joy into the unknown; despite the challenges that may lie ahead, trust in the power of God to bring joy in all circumstances. This joy becomes a source of strength and resilience, allowing us to face the future with hope and anticipation.

The essence of the gospel is not only to be received but also to be shared. Let the joy in our hearts be a beacon of love to others. By reaching out to those in need, spreading the message of hope, and being a source of joy, we fulfill the call to share the love of Christ with the world. Finding joy in God transforms our entire being, especially during the holiday season. As we reflect on the true meaning of Christmas, may the joy in our hearts be contagious, spreading warmth and love to those around us.

We are called to anchor our joy in God in an uncertain world. Regardless of the circumstances, we have countless reasons to give thanks. Cast aside anxiety, embrace the joy that comes from above, and approach each day with a spirit that cannot be quenched. May this Christmas season be filled with love, joy, and peace that surpasses all understanding.

JRMITCH85 Decisions, Faith, Hope

Preparing Our Communities

Take a walk down the street, and chaos swirls around you. Whether looking at the two mass shootings this week, the highly contentious political environment or the war spread throughout our planet, what the world needs right now are peacemakers. During Advent, Peace resonates in our hearts as we reflect on the coming Prince of Peace. In the same way, John prepared the world for Christ’s coming, so must we proclaim peace at every opportunity. Although our current state of affairs would guide us toward participation in the increasing rancor, Jesus’ coming invites us to cool tensions and open up doors of reconciliation and peace. Mark invites us to the Gospel message by starting with the story of how John the Baptist prepared the way of Peace and invites us to participate in the prophecy today.

The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As it is written in Isaiah the prophet, “Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way, the voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,’ ” John appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And all the country of Judea and all Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel’s hair and wore a leather belt around his waist and ate locusts and wild honey. And he preached, saying, “After me comes he who is mightier than I, the strap of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I have baptized you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Mk 1:1–8.

John the Baptist embraced his divine mission, comprehending the imperative to pave the way for the Lord. Similarly, each of us is responsible for ready our communities for the presence of Jesus. He focused on imparting the message of repentance and the Gospel of Jesus, emphasizing the importance of preparing communities for God’s purpose while steering clear of worldly distractions. He ardently preached repentance and the Gospel to guide communities toward aligning with God’s plan. His commitment ensures people recognize the significance of turning away worldly concerns and embracing the Gospel’s transformative power. He sought to unveil Jesus’ true identity and discouraged distractions that could divert attention from his essential message.

John, the Baptist’s singular dedication to the divine mission, underscores the importance of prioritizing the gospel over superficial displays and ostentatious preachers. Our communities, he believed, require the pure presence of the Gospel rather than being swayed by flashy presentations or charismatic leaders. The calling resonates with us today, urging us to share the transformative message of the gospel, guided and empowered by the Holy Spirit.

As custodians of the gospel, we are tasked with illuminating the path to Jesus, infusing our communities with the peace that comes from embracing the Gospel message. John the Baptist’s legacy encourages us to be peacemakers, spreading the news of the imminent arrival of the King and preparing our communities for the transformative power of God’s purpose.

JRMITCH85 Faith, Hope

A Never-ending Thanksgiving

The essence of being a faithful servant of God is encapsulated in the significance of Thanksgiving, recognizing it as the catalyst for various virtues such as ministry, grace, hope, peace, and love. This concept extends beyond a single day in November, advocating for a continual presence of gratitude within our hearts throughout the year. As a church community, we aspire to invite God to instill a perpetual spirit of Never-Ending Thanksgiving, fostering transformation within our community. The understanding that God’s love extends to us through the gifts of hope, joy, and peace compels us to share His gospel and grace with others, emphasizing the communal responsibility to spread these blessings beyond individual boundaries.

15 For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, 16 I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, 18 having the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might 20 that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. 22 And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Eph 1:15–23.

Uniting in faith and fellowship holds a profound transformative power bestowed by God, manifesting in expressions of gratitude and the anticipation of future blessings through faith in Christ Jesus. The gift of the Holy Spirit, graciously given by Jesus, serves as a continual source of power, hope, love, peace, and joy. This divine generosity underscores the ceaseless nature of God’s giving, reinforcing that the spiritual connection formed through faith in Jesus brings about a sustained and abundant flow of blessings.

Our calling as a community is characterized by unwavering prayer for God’s transformative presence in our midst, emphasizing reliance on Him for knowledge, revelation, wisdom, and light. The continuous plea for divine guidance underscores our commitment to seeking God’s intervention to bring about positive change in our community. Drawing inspiration from Paul’s wisdom, we are reminded to abandon self-reliance and pray for God to provide the essential elements of knowledge, revelation, wisdom, and light, acknowledging that our understanding finds completeness in His divine guidance.

The commencement of the church year is embraced with a spirit of gratitude as we embark on the journey of Thanksgiving. Rooted in the understanding that God provides us with hope and fulfills our needs, we are called to express our gratitude to Him continually. Thanksgiving is a foundational pillar, setting the tone for the entire church year. As we transition into Advent, a season that inaugurates the ecclesiastical calendar, the echoes of Thanksgiving linger, prompting us to reflect on the blessings bestowed upon us and cultivate a perpetual attitude of thankfulness. Starting our ministry endeavors with Thanksgiving at the forefront, we are encouraged to pray for a spirit of gratitude to permeate our community. The aspiration is to give thanks and extend the essence of Grace, Peace, Joy, Hope, and Love to the broader community, creating a tapestry of goodwill that defines the ethos of our spiritual journey.

JRMITCH85 Decisions, Faith

The Pillars of Our Actions and Words

A Call To The Reformation of The Church

In 1517, Martin Luther posted and promulgated the infamous Ninety-five Theses, setting the Protestant Reformation in motion. The various corruptions in the church troubled Luther greatly, and much of his energy was spent wrestling with the church’s rationale for placing itself between God and the people. As a result of these struggles, the European church began a period of splintering and reforming. The purpose of reformation is not breaking and dividing but instead refocusing on the core principles that God would have the church establish as its mission.

Throughout the Gospel, Jesus admonishes the people to establish a relationship with God by connecting with the Word of God directly. However, the Sadducees and the Pharisees sought to control that relationship and act as the intermediary for people’s connection with God. With that control over the Jewish faith, they could then shape the core principles to those that most suited them. However, in the passage below from Matthew 22, we see that Jesus wants nothing to do with this type of religious elitism and instead breaks down a relationship with God into simple pillars upon which everything else in our relationship with God would be built.

34 But when the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together. 35 And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question to test him. 36 “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” 37 And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. 38 This is the great and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. 40 On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.” 

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Mt 22:34–40.

The Pharisee lawyer gathered themself and sought to understand Jesus’ priorities by questioning what part of the law was most important. The answer could reveal a strategy for how to trap Jesus in rhetoric. The words of Jesus would reveal the heart of the mission for the world. We must look at our answer to the question posed because our response opens a window to our heart and what guides us in our words and actions. The way the Pharisees would have responded might have started similar to Jesus but would ultimately continue on past devotion to God, including all the ways that would ensure that you are not offending God. These additional walls built around the law and commandments were lifted so high that they ceased acting as barriers and became the pillars upon which they had built their faith. 

In response to the false pillars of rules, Jesus redirects the people to the heart of faith in the Shema Yisrael, as found in Deuteronomy 6:4-5. “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.” The first pillar of faith that dictates how we live starts by loving God with our whole being. Everyone who heard Jesus would instantly know what this referenced. Our faith is dictated not by the negative or avoiding offending God, but rather, it actively guides us to love God. Loving God is not about what we don’t do or stay away from but how we actively live in the world. 

Jesus bolsters the understanding that loving God is active by not skipping a beat and connecting love for each other in the same breath as loving God. The second pillar of faith demands that we love our neighbors, no matter who they are. This teaching would have seriously challenged the Pharisees since they had spent most of their time building walls to divide the Jews from those who were less than Jews, which meant that they practiced religion correctly and others did not. Through their regular practices, they created systemic othering, and Jesus warns us that the Gospel works antithetical to this practice. Rather than keeping people out of worship spaces, Jesus calls us to radically include and invite those on the fringes to the heart of worship. 

Martin Luther called the church to return to the heart of worship and discard the vessels that did not proclaim the Gospel to the people. In doing so, he mimicked Jesus’ call to remember that the Gospel is built upon the pillars of loving God and loving our neighbor. Similarly, the church today must remember that the Gospel and the mission of God’s church aren’t about looking just right or playing politics, but rather, it is about loving God AND loving our neighbor. The sharing of the Gospel is propped up by our remembering these two items. Next time we speak, ask whether it loves God and whether it loves our neighbor, and in the same way, when we do something, ask if I am loving God and my neighbor by engaging in this activity.

JRMITCH85 Character, Decisions, Faith, Hope

Making The Burden Light

The old adage that “everything comes at a price” appears truer in our complex and interconnected world. Nearly every aspect of our lives incurs some cost, and what’s disheartening is that the things we’ve grown accustomed to paying for are becoming increasingly expensive. The costs are on a relentless upward trajectory, from the necessities we purchase at the grocery store to the essential utilities that power our homes. Our communities are acutely aware of these rising prices, and the strain is palpable. Each trip to the grocery store and every increase in the power bill adds to the collective burden that our community carries. The daily grind becomes more challenging as the weight of these growing financial demands continues to press upon us, making it ever more essential to find ways to alleviate the burdens weighing on our communities.

Adding to the financial burdens, we see incessant news of violence and war. Constant worry and reflection on the bad news all around weigh down on the hearts and minds of our community, making the church’s role increasingly crucial. It must be a source of solace and liberation, providing a spiritual respite from the pressing concerns that weigh on people’s minds. The church’s mission is not to accumulate burdens or add to the anxieties of its congregation but to act as a haven of freedom, lifting the heavy burdens that life can impose. In the spirit of selflessness, the Apostle Paul is an exemplary model, illustrating the dedication required to ensure the church remains true to its purpose. In his ministry to the Thessalonians, he went above and beyond, never burdening them with financial or material demands and even making personal sacrifices to ensure the unimpeded expansion of the Gospel among them. This selfless dedication is a reminder that the church’s foremost duty is to be a source of spiritual liberation and bear its members’ burdens rather than adding to their loads.

9 For you remember, brothers, our labor and toil: we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. 10 You are witnesses, and God also, how holy and righteous and blameless was our conduct toward you believers. 11 For you know how, like a father with his children, 12 we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory. 13 And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), 1 Th 2:9–13.

Unloading the burdens of our neighbors begins with the understanding that the Gospel is free. This principle begins by emphasizing that the message of salvation and God’s love is accessible to all without any prerequisites. It underscores the idea that the church should never charge people for access to the Gospel, and admission should never be required. This principle highlights the unconditional nature of God’s grace, offering salvation to all, regardless of their circumstances or background. God’s call comes before any transformation, illustrating that we are invited into a relationship with Him as we are, without any prior conditions or changes required. This foundational aspect of Christianity reinforces the open and inclusive nature of God’s love and the freely offered gift of salvation.

The Gospel is the dynamic catalyst that propels the church forward in its unwavering commitment to fulfill God’s mission. It is not a static doctrine but a transformative force that encourages all believers to embrace change and personal growth. With the Gospel as our guide, we are inspired to share its message with others, spreading the hope and love it encapsulates. In doing so, we become the change we wish to see in the world, carrying the torch of Christ’s teachings and embodying the values and principles that can bring about positive and lasting transformation in our communities and beyond.

The Gospel is profoundly liberating, offering freedom from the shackles of sin and its detrimental consequences. The church’s sacred responsibility is to be a beacon of hope, guiding individuals toward God’s boundless hope. Our congregations must create spaces that inspire and direct people toward this divine hope. The ultimate freedom, however, lies in surrendering all our worries and burdens to God. Through trust and release, we experience the true essence of freedom – a freedom that transcends earthly constraints and grants us a profound sense of peace and spiritual liberation.

JRMITCH85 Character, Faith, Hope

Quit Playing Games

Most arguments come down to one person or group asserting that they are on the good or correct side while the other person or group is wrong or evil. The problem with vilification is that it is a naturally divisive tactic. Thus, people choose to quit listening to one another and block themselves from proper points of view if they come from an opponent. This mentality plays out on our screens as we hear rhetoric and talking points coming at us from every direction. A version of a game is playing out before us where we look at opposing points of view as different teams, and we want the other team to lose so that we can win. Winning and losing language is thrust into our faces, and we naturally want to be correct.

In the quest of always being right, there is a constant temptation to try and entangle our opponent in a knot. There are rhetorical devices that many debate professionals employ to force their opponents into a corner, of which they cannot logically get themselves out. Most of the time, these games don’t show which side has the most advantages or correctness, but rather, they reveal the person or group that is better at playing the game. It is influential; just look at how public opinion sways back and forth after any debate. The opponents of Jesus used these same devices to trap Him into incriminating himself, and they hoped it would ultimately rid themselves of their Jesus problem.

15 Then the Pharisees went and plotted how to entangle him in his words. 16 And they sent their disciples to him, along with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that you are true and teach the way of God truthfully, and you do not care about anyone’s opinion, for you are not swayed by appearances. 17 Tell us, then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?” 18 But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, “Why put me to the test, you hypocrites? 19 Show me the coin for the tax.” And they brought him a denarius. 20 And Jesus said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this?” 21 They said, “Caesar’s.” Then he said to them, “Therefore render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.” 22 When they heard it, they marveled. And they left him and went away.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Mt 22:15–22.

While examining this scene, we find the Pharisees coaxing Jesus into the game. They begin feigning flattery and ask Jesus a question that was a lose-lose situation. Either Jesus would upset the Roman Empire or frustrate the followers who thought He was bringing revolution. However, the answer walked around the game and instead pointed out to the Pharisees that they would not be able to trap Him in these word games. Rhetorical traps laid out for us by opponents could lead us into word games, which cause us to focus on the unimportant. Still, Jesus reminds us that even if those who oppose us force our hand, we don’t need to look at a response as a winning or losing response but rather to seek the wholeness of the community and clinging to the Gospel as of paramount importance.

Looking at the world around us, we often get angry at war and violence.  Inevitably, we look at war as winning and losing; unfortunately, there are no winners in war. As followers of Christ, we cannot get dragged into the mud when discussing the proper side in situations where violence pours out and affects the blameless. Civilians suffer the consequences of governments’ inability to maintain peace. However, as followers of Christ, our primary focus must be bringing peace to those hurting and proclaiming the hope of the Gospel to the helpless. If, instead, we waste our energies placating one side or the other and adding to the chaos by using God-imbued creativity to further play into the hands of the chaotic disrupters, we contribute to more games and find ourselves in the role of the Pharisees in this story hoping to trap others and win rather than acting as the peacemaker Jesus implores us to embody.

The games we play have no winners, but Jesus opens up a portal for everyone into hope and a future through the Gospel. Gospel is the antithesis of game playing because through sin, we all lose; we all are devoid of hope until we accept the sacrifice of Jesus. Therefore, as Christians read through the passage above, they can marvel as the Pharisees did, but they should understand that Jesus was not about trying to be correct, but He was showing us all that the systems of this world belong to this world, and that is where it has to remain. Stay above the fray, and look at those around us by granting them an abundant dose of Gospel because God has written His name upon our hearts. This sentiment means we belong to God, and we have all the victory we need. We don’t need to play games to signify our victory, but instead, Jesus calls us to share this victory with our world by giving God’s hope as found in the truth of the Gospel.

JRMITCH85 Character, Decisions, Faith, Hope

Humility: Following Christ’s Example

In ministry and our daily walk in the community, God calls us to emulate Jesus and His life lived while on the Earth. Jesus Christ’s teachings, parables, and actions have transcended time and culture, offering profound wisdom and guidance in all facets of life, and one of the most enduring and impactful lessons He imparted was the virtue of humility. As we embark on our journey in ministry, we are called to emulate Christ’s example of humility, for it is in the selfless act of serving others with a heart devoid of pride that we truly reflect the essence of His teachings and bring light to a world yearning for compassion and grace. Paul guides us to this teaching as we look at Philippians. 

So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, 2 complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. 3 Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. 4 Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Php 2:1–11.

Many Christians have taken upon the worldview that everything around us is evil and the people inside the church are good (mostly), which has caused many followers of Christ to stop emulating Christ and instead isolate their friend groups and create “Christian” echo chambers. However, should we find inspiration in the teachings of Philippians 2, where the Apostle Paul imparts a powerful message about emulating Christ’s humility, then we have to start dumping out the buckets that we put people in and start living differently. This passage calls us to adopt the same attitude Christ Jesus exemplified during His earthly ministry. This attitude is characterized by selflessness, humility, and a willingness to serve others above oneself. It is a guiding principle for every aspect of our lives, including how we approach our faith and ministry.

Emulating Christ’s humility begins with profoundly recognizing our limitations and shortcomings. Just wearing the name of Christ does not lift us higher than someone, but rather we are in need of salvation because sin plagues all of us. Just as Christ, who being in the very nature of God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to His own advantage, we must also recognize that our status or position should not be wielded for selfish gain. Instead, we are called to empty ourselves of pride and ambition, taking on the form of a servant. This mirrors Christ’s willingness to take on human form and serve humanity through His life, death, and resurrection.

In the realm of ministry, applying this humility is particularly significant. A reformed Christian understands that ministry is not about personal recognition or accolades but about selflessly serving God’s people and sharing Christ’s love and salvation. It means prioritizing the needs of others above our own, just as Christ gave Himself on the cross for our redemption. In this way, we honor Christ’s example of humility by embodying it in our ministry, leading with love, compassion, and a genuine desire to serve and uplift those we are called to shepherd. In essence, Christ gave us a timeless blueprint to follow as we strive to walk in the footsteps of our humble Savior in every facet of our lives, including our sacred calling to ministry, especially in the community we live.

JRMITCH85 Decisions, Faith, Hope

Don’t Cut Corners

When something works, we try and replicate it to varying success. In cooking, this trial and error in making something delicious with the perfect satisfaction is often recorded in a recipe. When we have developed enough recipes, we gather them in a cookbook, and future generations can look at what we have made and replicate it. However, in recipes that are filled with long and complicated steps, people are tempted to cut out some of the steps. Unfortunately, many times, when steps are skipped or altered, the meal does not come out looking the way it was intended.

In the following passage, God delivers a recipe of deliverance for the Hebrew people. Follow these directions, and deliverance will be yours, but if you cut corners and don’t obey this God-given message, things won’t turn out how they would hope. The instructions are specific, and God provides the only way that the Pharaoh will grant them freedom. This will be a day of remembrance for the Israelites, because no corners are cut or instructions skipped. 

The Lord said to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt, 2 “This month shall be for you the beginning of months. It shall be the first month of the year for you. 3 Tell all the congregation of Israel that on the tenth day of this month every man shall take a lamb according to their fathers’ houses, a lamb for a household. 4 And if the household is too small for a lamb, then he and his nearest neighbor shall take according to the number of persons; according to what each can eat you shall make your count for the lamb. 5 Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male a year old. You may take it from the sheep or from the goats, 6 and you shall keep it until the fourteenth day of this month, when the whole assembly of the congregation of Israel shall kill their lambs at twilight. 7 “Then they shall take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and the lintel of the houses in which they eat it. 8 They shall eat the flesh that night, roasted on the fire; with unleavened bread and bitter herbs they shall eat it. 9 Do not eat any of it raw or boiled in water, but roasted, its head with its legs and its inner parts. 10 And you shall let none of it remain until the morning; anything that remains until the morning you shall burn. 11 In this manner you shall eat it: with your belt fastened, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand. And you shall eat it in haste. It is the Lord’s Passover. 12 For I will pass through the land of Egypt that night, and I will strike all the firstborn in the land of Egypt, both man and beast; and on all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments: I am the Lord. 13 The blood shall be a sign for you, on the houses where you are. And when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and no plague will befall you to destroy you, when I strike the land of Egypt. 14 “This day shall be for you a memorial day, and you shall keep it as a feast to the Lord; throughout your generations, as a statute forever, you shall keep it as a feast.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Ex 12:1–14.

Just as God delivered Israel from bondage in Egypt, God delivers us from the slavery of sin that bonds us to the punishment of death. To bring freedom to the people of Israel meant that death was coming for many, and even when God sought to have the people freed by many other methods, nine plagues failed to convince Pharaoh to let God’s people go. Thus, death became necessary. Similarly, we failed to follow God’s previous instructions and guidance for salvation by continuously falling short of the standards in the law and perpetually cutting corners, looking for an easy way. However, Jesus followed the instructions exactly as they needed to be followed and thus provided remediation for sin. No corners were cut, even though Jesus knew the difficulty and what following the instructions meant for His life.

The result of not following the law or cutting corners is death. Nonetheless, it doesn’t stop us from looking for a shortcut. The instructions given to the Israelites in this passage were specific; the instructions from God called out the specific sacrifice, time, and method. Follow these instructions exactly, and death will pass over your homes; if not, the penalty is death. Our minds read this and wonder if maybe we would have cut a corner here and there to be able to get past some of the qualifications. Our society has careers built upon finding loopholes in laws and tax codes to cut as many corners as possible. However, there are no loopholes in God’s law; it requires us to follow it, or the penalty is death. Fortunately, Jesus paid that penalty for us but reminds us that even though we have sinned and subsequently redeemed, we are still commanded to follow God’s recipe to love God and love our neighbor.

According to God, there is no cutting the corner of the command to follow Jesus in loving God and our neighbor. There are no acceptable excuses to follow Jesus in love; it doesn’t matter how difficult we find it to carry out. We must share God’s love with everyone. It is cutting corners to omit anyone from our purview, even if we vehemently disagree with them. God has laid out the church’s mission is to bring the people to the source of salvation, Jesus. However, when the church dehumanizes and participates in the cycle of hatred and violence, it removes itself from love. The church doesn’t get to cut the corner of offering love to those who are hard to love, nor does it cut the corner of striving after unity with all. God has given the church a mission to bring people to an understanding of salvation through Christ Jesus. Through this mission, the church will change the world as long as it follows the recipe of God, not the world’s recipes.

God laid out a recipe for us to help build a beautiful, grace-filled world and even provided the necessary ingredients to make it. God gave us grace through Jesus, a perfect demonstration of what loving people look like, and a church to carry out the mission. The people of God lack nothing to construct a kingdom of love, grace, mercy, hope, and peace, but we must get out of our own way of corner-cutting to make things easier on us. Quit cutting corners and start following Jesus, and the church that will be built on that will look a lot more like Jesus and less like the organizations and governments of the world.

JRMITCH85 Character, Faith, Hope

The Christ Follower Test

Today, loyalty tests are intended to show if you are true to your convictions and beliefs. As a music fan, people will frequently determine your fandom if you listen to obscure demo tapes of your favorite bands or if you have a special edition album and saw them in concert before they were famous. The same type of test has taken root in politics, corporations, and even faith. As Christians, throughout history, we have subjected others and been subjected to many tests to determine if someone is a “true Christian.” However, each instance of implementing something like this has caused a split in the church. While Christians have varying beliefs on many issues, none of us stand in any position to declare absolute authority in doctrine; instead, to follow Christ, our oaths and words should be replaced with our love and care for one another and dedication to worship and prayer.

Following God is not about doing what others think; it requires us to set aside what everyone else might think and give it all to God in worship. Each step toward testing based on the proper doctrine needs to be measured against how Paul told us in Romans about how a Christian should treat others.

9 Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. 10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. 11 Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. 12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. 13 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. 17 Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 20 To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Ro 12:9–21.

To follow Christ requires us to set aside anything that is forced or imitating anything that doesn’t fulfill our true intention in coming to faith. How we live must glorify God, and we cannot act as people who just go through the motions to live such that we mimic what other Christians think we should do. The more we do this, the more we look like someone posing as a Christian rather than living in the way God requires. Paul opens this passage by telling us, “Let love be genuine.” True love cannot be faked; we cannot pose as someone who loves someone; instead, our hearts must be transformed to look more like Christ. Christ’s heart, when encountering evil, fought against it, not by destroying people, but by sacrificing His freedom to overcome evil. 

Typically, a test differentiates us from others, isolating the person who passes from those who fail. However, because of sin in our lives, we have all failed and fallen short of the level necessary to pass the test. Therefore, the Christ follower doesn’t strive to disqualify people from God’s Kingdom but instead necessitates all disciples to bring others into the love of God. Paul reminds us that even those who oppose us must be welcomed in, and we show God’s love more by acting as a contrast to how they treat us. Thus, any tests for following Christ aren’t for us to administer to others; instead, they measure us against the standard to which we hold ourselves. 

Ultimately, the test we must pass is treating one another so that we communicate the Gospel regardless of the person. Is someone hurting? Then, we must grant them comfort. Is there injustice in our world? Our mission is to bring justice and peace. No matter the circumstances where people find themselves, a follower of Christ always brings HOPE to the table and peace to the world, and in all things, they strive for unity and share the love of God. Are you a faithful follower of Christ? Good, then do as Christ instructs you, not for my sake or the sake of others, but for the spread and sharing of the Gospel with the world.