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 advent, Hope

Waiting, Hoping, and Wishing

The Advent season begins with great intentions, plans, and new music playing everywhere. Excitement grows as lights and inflatables begin popping up, creating an atmosphere designed to get us in the mood to celebrate. As a child, I recall the anticipation of waiting to see what was under the tree. As I grew older, that anticipation turned to an eager expectation to see the giant smiles of my children opening their gifts and a wish that they would be able to share that with loved ones and children of their own someday. All of this sets the tone that Advent sets for us to connect to the waiting for the coming of Jesus who established Hope for the world through coming to free us from the bondage of sin. My wish for the church is that we don’t fall asleep waiting but remain awake and active in sharing the Gospel, and bring God’s Hope to our communities.

The Gospel Writer Mark invites us to look at Jesus’ words about the Hope we have during Advent and how we are called to “Stay Awake.”

24 “But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, 25 and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. 26 And then they will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. 27 And then he will send out the angels and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven. 28 “From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near. 29 So also, when you see these things taking place, you know that he is near, at the very gates. 30 Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. 31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. 32 “But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. 33 Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come. 34 It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his servants in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to stay awake. 35 Therefore stay awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning— 36 lest he come suddenly and find you asleep. 37 And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake.” 

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Mk 13:24–37.

Advent celebrates the coming of Christ. As discussed by Jesus, we may see signs, but we do not know the day or the hour. Therefore, there is a lot of waiting that is required. However, waiting is not just a passive activity; remaining vigilant and attentive is stressed, which aligns with a fundamental call of Advent, urging us to be receptive and prepared to discern. Just like a partner wanting to get a “list” from their spouse or friend, you can passively wait or discern and actively engage in selecting a gift that will have significant meaning to them. Similarly, we can look at our communities and ask them what they want from their local church, or we can truly give them HOPE by looking at where there is a need and share the HOPE actively with our neighbors. Thus, waiting for Jesus to come becomes a dynamic and meaningful endeavor, interwoven with the active pursuit of God’s mission and the dissemination of hope to enrich the lives of those we encounter on our journey.

The HOPE offered by the church mustn’t look like the hope offered by the various systems of the world. The unparalleled nature of our hope in Christ Jesus underscores the inadequacy of relying on hope in others. A distinctive and unwavering hope sets Christ apart as human connections and self-reliance may falter. People are fallible, and trust in them can be misplaced, but our hope in Jesus remains steadfast and unshakable. God’s hope transcends the worldly understanding of hope, making it imperative to center our focus on fulfilling God’s calling. This involves carrying out the divine purpose designated for us and actively sharing with those around us the extraordinary hope that emanates from our faith in Christ. In recognizing the unique and enduring nature of God’s hope, our commitment to embodying His calling becomes vital to both personal fulfillment and the uplifting of others.

Each Advent has a magical aspect where we wait in hope and share our wish for God to come right now. Through God’s power, we can carry out God’s sanctifying mission in our community. The anticipation of Christ’s return instills in us the imperative to distinguish between our personal wishes and the profound hope anchored in our faith, urging us to engage in God’s work while waiting actively. Despite harboring long wish lists, particularly as devoted followers of God, we may not see all our desires materialize, be it a bustling church community or flourishing ministries. It is during this season of hope that we are prompted to express our wishes, yet we are reminded by the scriptures to discern between these wishes and the enduring hope vested in Christ’s imminent return. Our ultimate hope rests in anticipating Christ’s coming, prompting us, as we await, to actively participate in God’s work and disseminate His hope. Through prayer and the reassurance that Christ will return, we find solace and purpose in contributing to God’s mission, recognizing that our true hope lies in the promise of His return.

While parents and bosses, being human, are susceptible to shortcomings and may occasionally let us down, the reassuring truth lies in the unwavering nature of Jesus’ presence, which transcends the limitations of earthly relationships. By their very nature, human beings are fallible and subject to imperfections, and disappointments may inevitably arise in various facets of life, including familial and professional spheres. However, in stark contrast, the divine essence of Jesus encompasses the extraordinary and the unimaginable. His presence is not bound by the constraints of human frailty, and His reliability remains constant even when others may falter. This profound reality serves as a source of comfort and resilience, reminding us that amidst the inherent limitations of human connections, Jesus dwells in the realm of the extraordinary and the miraculous, offering a steadfast source of support and solace that extends beyond the shortcomings of earthly relationships.

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, Hope

Are You Ready For It?

Preparation is the key. Thanksgiving is happening in less than two weeks; are you ready for it? Walking through your local club store might fill someone with anxiety as they are full of people and long lines. Everyone wants to ensure they have all their shopping done so that their food will be purchased and ready for Thanksgiving. However, there is another type of shopper, one that will wait until the day before and gather up that which is leftover from the hordes. There is one thing about Thanksgiving: whether we are ready for it or not, it will come on November 23rd this year, but our meal can be dictated by how we prepare.

Jesus ultimately doesn’t care what preparations you make for a Thanksgiving feast. However, Christ does call us to be prepared by doing good. Our lives must reflect the change that comes upon us when we find God’s transforming power. We must ask ourselves if we are ready for Christ to come up to us and ask, “Are you ready for my return?”  As He reminds us in The Parable of the Virgins, we do not know when Christ will return; thus, we must always be ready for His return. 

“Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept.  But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps.  And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise answered, saying, ‘Since there will not be enough for us and for you, go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.’ And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut. Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ But he answered, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’ Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Mt 25:1–13.

The parable shows the differences between the prepared and the ill-prepared. One group has just enough, but the other doesn’t have enough. The ill-prepared seek out those who have enough to cover them, but the resources are insufficient to share. Unfortunately, this forced the group without enough oil to go out and do some last-minute shopping. While they were out, they missed their opportunity with the bridegroom. This parable could be ready so literally that it meant we should make sure we always have enough for an emergency. However, the preparation we must make is that our hearts must be ready to receive Christ at all times. When Jesus returns, there won’t be an opportunity to quickly do all the preparations, so we must get our hearts right with God now.

Each of us needs to prepare our hearts for God’s return. Being prepared for God’s second coming is a spiritual imperative that requires steadfast faith, sincere repentance, and a commitment to living a life aligned with divine principles. It involves cultivating a heart attuned to love, compassion, and righteousness and actively seeking a deep connection with the divine through prayer, reflection, and worship. 

Prepare your hearts to do the Gospel work now. We cannot think there will always be another opportunity to be kind or share hope because the bridegroom will come without warning.  Jesus calls on us to set aside any procrastination when doing good. The oil in the parable does not represent a tangible good, but rather, it represents the GOOD that God’s Church must bring to the world. God’s kingdom requires workers who are ready and willing to share the Gospel no matter what one’s life may look like.

The anticipation of God’s second coming motivates us to lead a life of moral integrity, embracing the teachings of compassion and forgiveness. Being prepared involves constant self-examination, acknowledging one’s shortcomings, and striving for continuous spiritual growth. It is a journey of humility and grace, recognizing the profound significance of this event and aligning one’s life with the divine will, ensuring that when the appointed time arrives, the soul is ready to stand before the Creator with a pure and earnest heart.

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 Character, Decisions, Hope

Forgiveness: Following God’s Example

As long as people have existed, we have held others to a standard we ourselves often struggle to meet. We find ourselves prescribing a set of expectations for the world around us while, paradoxically, we frequently falter in our attempts to embody those ideals. This fascinating juxtaposition between our lofty standards and human imperfections raises profound questions about the nature of empathy, self-awareness, and the complex interplay between the standards we set for others and those we set for ourselves. This brings us to the passage where Peter approaches Jesus about the need to forgive, and Jesus opens up to the disciples and all of us the standard for forgiveness.

21 Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” 22 Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times. 23 “Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. 24 When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. 25 And since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. 26 So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ 27 And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. 28 But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii, and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay what you owe.’ 29 So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ 30 He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt. 31 When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their master all that had taken place. 32 Then his master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. 33 And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’ 34 And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers, until he should pay all his debt. 35 So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.”

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Mt 18:21–35.

Peter comes to Jesus questioning how far we must go in forgiving each other. Surely, there must be a limit; we all hope there is a limit for those who perpetually cross the line and transgress. Our thoughts mimic Peter in saying the limit must be a generous seven times, but Jesus replies with a response that scoffs at the thought we could put a limit on the ability to forgive, as he doesn’t just give an alternative number, but instead makes that number so much higher that it equates to an infinite retort. Our ability to forgive should have no bounds because Jesus had no limit to His ability to forgive. Even as the people closed in on Him to bring destruction to His body, Jesus did not stop seeking to bring them back to God. We must go above and beyond for Jesus’ sake and follow His example.

Jesus doesn’t stop the lesson on forgiveness with a number but instead shares a parable for us to fully comprehend how far we must go in forgiving. We are placed in the position of the deeply forgiven. Our debt, created by sin, was colossal, and only the sacrifice of Jesus could fill the chasm created by our indebtedness. However, as Jesus walks among us and looks down on us, we don’t act like forgiven people. Instead, we throw those indebted to us in prison, cast them aside, and treat them as unimportant. Our priorities are making things look right in our eyes rather than offering the same compassion given to us, and we fall short of the example Jesus provides in forgiveness. Jesus issues a warning if we continue to live like that.

Ultimately, we must confront our biases and preconceived notions as we comprehend what it means to live a forgiven life. Jesus calls out to us to bring hope to the hopeless and peace to the world while embracing our mission through the love of God. This mission is challenging for us to fully comprehend if we view the world through our modern lifestyle. So many worldviews have emerged, and it may make our heads spin if we attempt to engage without consulting God. God did not send us to Earth to rule over it or dominate society, but rather, we were given the mission to bring the message of God’s never-ending love and a proclamation of forgiveness from sin. Therefore, we need to engage with the competing worldviews from a position of being a forgiven people and sharing that message of forgiveness and peace with the world.

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.