Jonathots Daily Blog
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Pictured is a house I ran across in Janesville, Wisconsin, during my touring. It is owned by somebody, but unoccupied. There are no people on the premises because the residence is broken apart, the windows are shattered, and the general appearance is deteriorating.
A thought came to my mind. What does the owner think when he drives by the possession? Does he remember former times, when the edifice was beautiful and a source of joy to a family? Or does his mind race with ideas on how to renovate the surroundings, making them livable again and restoring the glory?
Or I suppose a third choice is that he turns their head away so as not to deal with the eye-sore.
I think this is the situation we face in the church.
We know that people are supposed to be changed. An encounter with Jesus historically, and certainly Biblically, always resulted in some sort of massive transformation.
But often, it seems the best we can offer to the congregant is the chance to give a testimony about how bad things were or how great things will be someday “when we all get to heaven.”
In the pursuit of showing compassion, we may have accidentally drained the actual passion out of the soul and faith of the believer.
For after all, we spend so much time talking about God’s grace and so little time reminding people that Jesus told folks it was their faith that made them whole.
Matter of fact, it doesn’t take a theologian’s understanding to comprehend that Jesus was in the business of making abundant life for people on earth, not just in heaven.
You can the teachings of Jesus balance beautifully on two axioms:
- He that endures to the end will be saved.
- Go the second mile.
After all, what got Jesus very excited was when people showed initiative, reached out and touched the hem of his garment, had faith for their servant to be healed, or lepers who tracked him down to gain cleansing.
He admired initiative. Dare say, he rewarded it.
Removing such initiative from our faith in an attempt to establish the supremacy of God is unfortunately the way we remove the glory from God, which He would receive from people praising our good works.
Jesus is to appreciate that he was a teacher who wanted to impart a lifestyle, not just a salvation plan.
I don’t know whether that house in Janesville will ever be restored, but for it to happen, someone will have to admit that it’s messed up, the glory days are not coming back and there’s no guarantee that the future holds promise for miraculous renovation.
It will need work.
We do need endurance. And we do require the energy and excitement to go the second mile.
So don’t rob people of the blessing of having Jesus speak to them admiringly: “Your faith has made you whole.”
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