These are certainly not normal days. I would imagine that 2020 will go down in history as one of the most unusual and challenging years ever. In Australia, it began with some of the nation’s most devastating bushfires. Then a global pandemic struck the world, infected millions and has seen the loss of many lives. Add in the very real issues of racial inequality and the immense political and ideological tension around the world and it all adds up to a very intense year!
There is one very important reality we need to be reminded of though - God is unsurprised. Even though we are unable to see most of the curve-balls that life throws at us, the Lord sees it all and more importantly, sees it coming.
In addition, it’s important to know that he has prepared things in advance for us to have access to that will help us cope with and navigate our way through every challenge. He has given us faith to allow us to keep believing when things seem impossible. He has given us hope as an anchor for our soul, so that we don’t get overwhelmed by discouragement and despair. And he has given us love as a reminder of what life and people are all about anyway!
I love the fact that he has prepared in advance ‘good works’ for us to do, so that we have a clear path of purpose to follow that is uniquely designed for us. I believe our Unsurprised God though has prepared us with his greatest gift - the Gospel! The Gospel is all we need for a new life of connection with God, for Christ-centred relationships and for Kingdom purpose and fulfilment.
The Gospel, though it is personal, it is not an individual Gospel. Once we come to know Jesus personally it immediately and profoundly affects every relationship in our lives. Our personal transformation leads to a transformation of our relationship with others. One of the aspects of our lives that is being most challenged in this season is the way we relate to one another. The good news is there is the Good News! The Gospel holds the answers to all of life’s current relational challenges and opportunities.
If this season is anything, it is an opportunity to shift from busy lives to reconnected lives
5 principles from the Gospel to help us shape relationships with Kingdom purpose
1. Reconciled to Others
Ephesians 2:14-16
For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, 15 by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, 16 and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility.
The work of the cross starts with our reconnection to God through Christ. His righteousness now becomes ours. The second part of the work of the cross is the breaking down of the wall of hostility between us and others. Jesus, through the cross has created one new humanity!
No longer does there need to be hatred and conflict between previously opposing groups in society. The polarising of cultures, genders and classes now has a solution in Christ. As we see in Galatians 3:28, in Christ there is no longer Jew nor Gentile, slave nor free, male nor female. The cross dealt with division, hostility and unforgiveness. That is a wonderful reminder in this world where it seems the whole world is polarised.
2. Regarding Others
Matthew 22:37-40
Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbour, as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
There were 613 Old Testament laws, most of which were too difficult or complex to follow. Jesus simplifies it to two simple commands: essentially ‘love God and love others’. The Gospel doesn’t complicate life with untenable laws and regulations. Jesus came to fulfil the law so we can now live a life with others from the heart with two simple commands. It is through these commands that we regard others.
When we partake of the divine nature (2 Peter 1:5-7), we start with a life of faith and the end goal is a life of love. The whole purpose of faith is to become people of love…this is the Gospel.
3. Relating to Others
Philippians 2:3-5
Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus.
There is a core Kingdom culture that undergirds all relationships and sets us up for the best possible way to build healthy relational connections. The way to achieve this is through humility; valuing others above yourselves.
Of course, Jesus was the prime example of this, exercising servant-hearted leadership, humbling himself even to the point of death. He wasn’t grasping onto his divinity as a way of making himself superior to others (even though he is God and is far superior).
4. Releasing Others
One of the key aspects of the gospel is its empowerment of people. God saves to then call people. Once we ourselves are saved by grace, then released into our calling, our role with others is to see people and begin to disciple them into their own calling.
In Luke 3 Jesus has an encounter with the Father and the Holy Spirit.
Luke 3:21-22
When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened 22 and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove. And a voice came from heaven: “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”
In Luke 4:16-20 we see Jesus declares his mission and message and, in many ways, starts the work of public ministry. Then straight away in Luke 5 Jesus begins seeing and including others in the mission.
Luke 5:10-11
Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.” 11 So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.
It’s this seeing and including of others that is often a key element missing in our relating to others.
5. Reaching Others
The future ‘others’ that we reach are outside of our current experience and the walls that we build around our lives as Christians. Often, we build safety and security around our Christian practices and boundaries. Sometimes God helps is to break down these walls because he wants more ‘others’ to be reached
This current season has forced us to rediscover community outside of our physical gatherings It has re-opened our eyes to our community and God’s heart for people