By now Canada has made enough medals to be in the top 12 ranking countries, but just a week ago some were worried about lack of winning. Adam van Koeverden, Canada’s flag bearer sent a message for those at home: Get your kids off the couch! He blamed the flaw in our culture that breeds laziness. Many Canadian papers had an article last weekend that asked these questions: “…are your kids playing Xbox or are they playing sports? Are they going to amusement parks on the weekend or are they swimming? Do kids have phys-ed at school?”
Reading such comments got me thinking about….Evangelism. We are the church of many cultures, and while feeling proud about churches in countries where we came from, we don’t do much about soul winning in Canada. Somehow, integration in the lifestyle affects even our faith activities.
Last week I challenged readers to mentor others by whatever type of relationships you chose: coaching, teaching, counselling, modeling, guiding others. Christianity invites people to imitate one’s life. It is a faith taught by one to another. “Follow me!” said Jesus. Similar is expected for Jesus’ followers. Apostle Paul urged the church in Corinth “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ.” (1 Corinthians 4:16; & 11:1). He also commended the church in Thessalonica for becoming imitators of him and of Christ (1 Thessalonians 1:6-7). The Great Commission of Jesus calls every believer to be a disciple and to make disciples (Matthew 28:19-20). One cannot call him/herself a Christian and not disciple others.
This week children learned significant truths during the VBS program: Know the Truth, Speak the Truth, and Live the Truth. How’s your Discipling going? Are you winning others to Jesus, are you on fire to lead people by your life example? Or has the “couch-potato” attitude got to you too?
Remember that Evangelism is simply inviting people to observe intimacy of your relationship with God. Only such a real “incarnation” or “embodiment” of the gospel will produce the desire in others to know Jesus.
As you seek to imitate Jesus, as you faithfully follow Him, have you noticed others seeking your friendship, seeking to imitate you and to follow you? If you are making your way to Christ others would follow even if out of curiosity.
One current translation of 1st John 2:5-6 says “This is the only way to be sure we are in God. Anyone who claims to be intimate with God ought to live the same kind of life Jesus lived.” (The Message)
Run to win, run to win others, run with Christ.
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