December 01, 2024
Greetings and blessings to all of you. When you look around at the Christian community today, you frequently see chaos. Marriages are falling apart; single men and women are struggling to be content. Debt rules. Addictions prevail. Some are faithfully still going to church. But since the Covid outbreak in 2019 the gathering of person to person has lessen. It is no wonder the average Christian feels like they are living a ho hum defeated Christian life. They conclude by saying, ‘this Christianity is not working.’ Since its inception, the Church has been known for its care for the poor, the sick, and those deemed socially “untouchable” and sharing Christ values with others. This was a way of following and mimicking Jesus Christ, whose life and example challenged the social norms of the ancient world. Christians across cultures and centuries followed suit, especially in times of plague, famine, natural disaster, and moral failures. Today, some Christians forget that they have influence; that God expects us to use the influence he has given to us; that our influence is for the benefit of others. Did you know that if we are not influencing the culture, they are influencing us…especially if our main associates and lifestyle are worldly? The purpose of influence is to speak up for those that have no influence for example; the unborn child, the young children in elementary grades and the mentally challenged. Did you know we will answer to God for how we have used the influence God has given us? Living as a Kingdom Builder or a disciple who is not afraid to be a true representative of Christ requires that we relinquish all claims on every aspect of your life. Our identity in Christ will dictate our actions. But our task first is to be the Church, the Bride of Christ, part of the Body of Christ. Do you see yourself as a partner with Christ? Or do you see yourself as “a once in a while Christian church attender” while at the same time seeing yourself as “that good moralistic Christian?” Today it has been difficult for the Christian to be a Kingdom Builder because most are busy building their own Kingdom. They have families, careers to advance, recreation has been a definite distraction. Going here and there not having time to focus on the matters of the Kingdom. Jesus will not take second place or a back seat in our lives. He is not only our Savior He is Lord of our lives. Dear brothers and sisters in Christ we cannot be a disciple and also a secret agent Christian.
With the Love of Christ
First Lady Vivian C. Currie
Pastor ALC