When I first became a Christian I was 29 years old. Having been brought up in a Christian home and seeing loads of young people really chasing after God I had this constant nagging feeling that I had wasted my life. At times this would get me really down - but thankfully God has sorted out this self-condemnation.
I've been thinking about it again though recently, in the context of how we bring new Christians into the church.
When the Prodigal Son came home, did the father send him straight out to work to make up for lost time and repay his debts? No - he had a huge celebration!
I wonder sometimes whether we're to quick to give new believers "ministries" or get them to serve in the church - instead of letting them celebrate being reconciled to God and their new identity as saints. Perhaps we should spend more time with young Christians showing them love and acceptance, teaching them about the Gospel and getting them acquainted with grace before sending them on training courses, asking them to join the worship band or even serve coffees?
I'm not against good works or allowing people to serve - good works are a natural outworking of the Gospel - but if we don't give baby Christians good foundations of grace, their new identity in Christ and the finished work of the cross, we run the risk of burning out new converts who may well get involved out of wrong motivations such as feeling they have to repay God for what he's done, make up for "lost time" or "balance out" their sins with good deeds.
0 comments:
Post a Comment