Tuesday, June 28, 2005

Change for good reason

Neighbors despised the people of Israel and Judah. For example, Ezekiel 25:6 says that the Ammonites “clapped [their] hands and stamped [their] feet, rejoicing with all the malice of [their] heart against the land of Israel” when that kingdom fell to the Assyrians and Judah went into Babylonian exile.

Similarly, neighbors today despise Christians, apparently with good cause. Do people today clap and rejoice at evangelical Christian failure? If so, we Christians can’t blame it on our ancestors; the Lord holds individuals responsible for personal sin (see last weeks study).

How should we respond knowing that our enemies will one day be judged by a righteous God? Change whatever is necessary in order to reach them for Christ? The emergent church is one missional approach. What do you think?

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