Invitation Without Correction

Scripture: And he said to me, “Do not seal up the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is near. Let the evildoer still do evil, and the filthy still be filthy, and the righteous still do right, and the holy still be holy.” ... The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price. Revelation 22:10-11,17

Observation: The Holy Spirit works with the bride of Christ - the Church - to deliver one message: "Come to Jesus." It is the invitation of the Gospel. The Church is charged with that invitation, and anyone who has heard and believed that invitation must also give the invitation ... and anyone who even hopes the invitation is true can also give the invitation ... all are invited to drink the free, living water of Jesus Christ.

However, there will be those who hear and believe, and those who do not. Those who believe are to be holy and righteous. However, those who do not will do evil and be filthy, and we are to allow them ... to let them do as they wish.

Application: The Church has one mission ... to spread the Gospel message - to invite others to salvation through faith in Jesus the Messiah. The Church is NOT here to "fix" the world. We are not here to protest against sin, prevent others' actions, or legislate against evil.

This is how the Church has lost ground with non-believers in the U.S., AND why it is gaining ground in a place like China. In China, the message is simple - people are being told about Jesus, and are believing and being saved. In the U.S., many churches are not talking about Jesus - they are protesting Planned Parenthood, wailing about (or condoning) gay marriage, and actively protesting other (often 'good') causes ranging from racism to poverty to drug use to violence.

I need to be a leader in my local church that drives us to a singular purpose - taking the Gospel of Jesus to a lost and hurting world. And while we must actively discuss behavior standards within our community of faith, I must work with others to ensure our church does not engage in some "cause-based" external mission.

It isn't about whether or not such action is wrong ... it's that it's non-Biblical. The Bible says we baptize THEN teach - we reach THEN preach - we comfort THEN correct. The Holy Spirit is with the Church when we deliver the good news.

Prayer: Dear Lord, may your will be done on earth, every day. Please help me have a calm and patient heart, and may my message be always and only about the love of Jesus. Amen.