2 Peter 1:5-8
"Make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, LOVE. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ."
Well, we finally did it! we moved to Oregon to start a new church! This has been such an exciting and terrifying process. I have stepped out in faith like never before and am learning to trust God more then I ever have. We are excited to start this journey and believe with all our hearts that God is going to do something significant and amazing in Hillsboro Oregon.
So now what?
We moved our family, our amazing team, and our lives here to reach this city; so how do we do that?
I came across this scripture in 2 Peter and it gives the perfect formula for reaching those who are far from God. here is is......
Be full of
Faith
Goodness
Knowledge
Self-control
Perseverance
godliness
mutual affection
LOVE
If we want to be affective in reaching our city we must be a reflection of Jesus. The church is the only Jesus this world will ever see. What kind of Jesus are we reflecting?
Are we reflecting a Jesus who is good?
Are we reflecting a Jesus who is full of knowledge and self-control? A Jesus who does not grow weary but is able to persevere? And what about LOVE? are we portraying a Jesus who Loves?
Scripture tells us that "No man has seen God but when we love each other then they see God through us because God is love."
If we want to reach our city we must walk in these Christ-like attributes.
Now, I know this all sounds good and amazing because really, who doesn't want to be like Jesus? and I am the first one to admit that it is so much easier said then done!
But I have good news! Jesus sent his Holy Spirit to lead us. Scripture says that when we become Christ followers the Holy Spirit lives in us and empowers us to live lives that reflect who Jesus is.
Galatians 5:22 says that the fruit of the Spirit is Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness. Goodness, and Self-control.
Pray and ask the Holy Spirit to lead you and guide you. To give the strength to live a life that reflects Jesus and the grace to uphold us when we fall short.
Because, yes we have other strategies and plans to start this church and to reach our city but, if we lack the fruit of the Holy spirit in our lives we will be INEFFECTIVE and UNPRODUCTIVE just as Peter tells us in 2 Peter 1. But if we walk by the Spirit and live a life that reflects Jesus we will be effective and productive in reaching our city for Jesus!
