“Amazing grace! How sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.”
Thank you, John Newton, for the lyrics to the hymn Amazing Grace. I am amazed that God would choose to save a wretch like me. Questioning the meaning of life as a 19-year-old hippie and later looking for answers from a guru in India at age 26, I didn’t expect a response when I looked up at the stars and said, “God, I believe You exist, but I don’t know who You are. Would You please reveal Yourself to me?” I can report that the Creator of the heavens, earth, and all that exists will respond to this sincere inquiry. God will lead you, as He did me, to His Son, Jesus Christ.
During His last meal before going to the cross, Jesus told His disciples, “If you love me, keep my commands” (John 14:15). I love Jesus, and my deepest desire has been to live life in a way that serves and pleases Him. He revealed Himself to me as Savior and Lord 48 years ago. Jesus taught me to love God with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength and to love my neighbor as myself; there is no commandment greater than these (Mark 12:30-31).
Jesus, undeterred, went right ahead and gave his charge:
“God authorized and commanded me to commission you: Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I’ll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18-20 MSG).
When I meet with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit during morning devotions, I frequently contemplate the stewardship of the time, talents, and possessions the Lord has given me. The apostle Peter’s words convict me, “…they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do…” (1 Peter 4:2-3). Am I using the resources God has given me wisely and for His glory? Do my choices demonstrate my love for Jesus? Am I serving God in a way that pleases Him?
In Surprised by Hope, author N. T. Wright describes his joy in watching ordinary Christians engaging in the transforming work of God: Going straight from worshipping Jesus in church to making a radical difference in the material lives of people… by running playgroups for children of single working moms; by organizing credit unions to help people at the bottom of the financial ladder find their way to responsible solvency; by campaigning for better housing, against dangerous roads, for drug rehab centers, for wise laws relating to alcohol, for decent library and sporting facilities, for a thousand other things in which God’s sovereign rule extends to hard, concrete reality. [Wright believes] all this is not an extra to the mission of the church. It is central.¹
Jesus said, “Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). I believe this is loving one’s neighbor and doing what is good. Wright adds, “When the church is living out the kingdom of God, the word of God will spread powerfully and do its work.”² I would add that it will spread because we share the good news of God’s love with our neighbors near and far and invite them to follow Him.
It is easy to be overwhelmed by the needs of our community, nation, and world. Half the world’s population is waiting to hear that Jesus offers them God’s peace and eternal life. But God does not ask us to fix the world. I agree with Wright’s perspective that “no individual can attempt more than a fraction of this mission. That’s why missions is the work of the whole church, the whole time.”³
No matter our age, responsibilities, or position, if we follow Christ and have life and breath, we should pray to the Lord daily, “Lord, I love You. I want my life to please and glorify You. I want to demonstrate my love for You by obeying Your teachings. Teach me to love You with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength. Teach me to love my neighbor as myself. Not my will, but Your will be done through me today.” Trust the Lord to bring this prayer to pass. It is a prayer the Lord desires to make a reality in your life and mine.
by Pastor Emeritus Paul Fahnestock
