Where I live, we've coined the phrase "stay in your bubble" because of Covid-19. While during
a global pandemic, staying in your bubble is most likely a really good idea...sometimes we
Christians need to step OUT of our bubbles. In fact, let's pop it completely!
But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you
may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. - 1 Peter 2:9-10
There is a bit of a pandemic going on within the church itself. I think many believers have forgotten the mission that God has called us on. We're way too comfortable!
Imagine if Jesus' disciples, after Christ died, decided to just kick back with their feet up,
hanging out together all the time, albeit praising God and living Christian lives (yay for that!)
but never actually going out and.... telling anyone? Would they be fulfilling God's calling for them? Not at all!
We, as Christ followers, are called for a much bigger purpose than to get comfortable in our
circles and stay there. We're literally called to go out into the danger zone - the world!
He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” - Mark 16:15
What purpose does it serve to be made righteous through Christ, renewed by His blood...only to never tell anyone about it? It would be a tragedy! We're to be living examples of Jesus' life and love for this world.
Yes, this world is scary. Satan is real and he's out there and there is all sorts of crazy going on and it's SO much easier to stay safe with our fellow Christian friends. Bible studies, workshops, prayer groups...all extremely important and fantastic in their own right. But it's not enough. It's not changing anything in the world. Doctors don't only see healthy patients, right?
Here's the part we forget... we are not called to live OF this world but we are living IN this world and while we are here, made new, standing confidently and boldly, different from the rest, wearing the armor of God, we definitely should be sharing our testimony and the Good News of the gospel!
For once we were lost and now we are found!
For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. - Romans 10:12-17
Stepping out and getting uncomfortable can be pretty scary, I know, but start this way - the next time you're at a bible study, prayer group or church meeting...challenge a friend and yourself by asking, "When was the last time you shared your testimony?"
Try to come up with ways to reach people outside of your circle.
Be fishers of men!
Glorify God by sharing the Good News of the gospel. Love the world, like God does.
