Community, 3rd Spaces
As a follower of Jesus, convinced God wants others to be with Him for eternity (starting here and now!) and as an evangelist you can be sure I'm convinced there are multiple ways to be an authentic, kind and loving witness of Him and the Good News.
At the same time I have for decades been convinced one-on-one relationships if pure, honest and offered without only considering "making the sale" of converting someone is perhaps the most grace-filled, patient and disarming way for folks to come to Him in saving faith granted by the Spirit. Encountering the scent of life and not only death is in part surely the "Living Water" of the Spirit moving in, through and out of us, also salt and light where "those with eyes to see and ears to hear" can come and "take of the water of life freely".
BUT community costs -us- in growing death to [our]self as we meet others, sharing, offering whatever we may have (from God, spiritual gifts but also natural talents) and the kind, willing attitude of giving -not- demanding someone repent and believe. While God indeed "commands all people everywhere" to do so, we aren't Him though He seeks to use us via the multiple fruits of the Spirit (see Galatians 5.23) and in sharing -not combat with other folks as prone to sin just as we often are!
Patience for what may be a quick, short encounter moving into "the long walk" with a person is something many of us struggle with -or outright reject. Community can bring us further down the road if we'll pay attention to the Lord who admittedly Himself said "How long must I put up with you" as His disciples continually seemed to not "get it"! Again, WE aren't HIM, so...
Having said all this, here's an interesting read w. some video clips I think worth your time in the local church. As my email tag has long said "Build bridges and not walls".
And as always, thanks for stopping by! -Glenn
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