Ditching the cup of water for the reservoir

There is no doubt that the end game of Christianity is made up in small but outrageous acts of love, service and self-sacrifice. There are no rewards to attending meetings and worshipping - surely these are already rewards in themselves? Surely also there can be no rewards in setting up lives or churches to self-exist in a middle-classist kind of way? Likewise, are we going to get rewards by giving our money to get more? Or by using our gifts and talents to empower our futures?

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’” (Matt 25:34-36).

Our faith outworks in love, or it is hollow faith. Our fellowship with the Spirit outworks in increasing tenderness, care, meekness and esteeming of others...or it is self-indulgent fellowship.

Of course, as with biological processes so too we are on a growth-journey. It takes time to have the mind renewed; to have all the selfish rocks lifted out of the soil. That is why infants do not run governments.

We have been justified now and forever before the Father, in Christ Jesus. Our position is secure, for eternity. Nothing can snatch me from him, how blessedly true. But let us not confuse soteriology with sociology: I can lose connection with the Head, who gave his life for humanity; I can lose my bearings when I still live trying to serve my own ambitions; the wheat can be choked by the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth; I can spend my whole Christian life on earth without ever finding traction in the sufferings of others.

My middle-class brass bubble can remain somewhat intact, and transfer me to glory with....nothing.

And I can chase after "noble" goals with an ignoble mindset. I can seek to travel into many nations and yet hardly ever witness to Jesus Christ. I can seek to love my friends and still ignore my suffering community. I can be part of something "big" and yet lose sight of the little acts of service, kindness and generosity. I can "switch on" the glory-face, but show little of it to my wife and relatives at home, let alone my enemies. I can preach in big venues and still love money and status more than a love for the poor.

I can miss out on daily opportunities to give a cup of cold water to the thirsty, in my quest to find the Reservoir.

Vanity, vanity. a chasing after the wind. The Kingdom is coming, and it is a Kingdom of Love.

Nick