We NOT Me

On Sunday Pastor Hood highlighted Ephesians 4:1-6 and talked about how the Christian faith should not be about "me" (ourselves) but about "we" (the body of Christ). A couple of things I wrote down from the message that stuck out to me (there were many more but I'm just highlighting a few):

We (Christians) are held to a higher standard because we are a part of something much bigger than us.

It's not just about how things affect us, but how they affect the glory & fame of God.

This passage goes on to give us a snapshot of what walking worth of our calling looks like. This includes humility (as opposed to pride), gentleness (defined as power under control), and patience.

What we sometimes forget, everything that happens is not about us. We are not the center of the world, Jesus is. It's not about ME, US.

During much of the message I was going over a quote that I had just read in my monthly Voice of the Martyrs newsletter which features the country of Colombia. This is a VERY dangerous country to be a Christian in and choosing to follow Christ can be a literal death sentence for you.

Here's what stuck out to me:

"'They (FARC guerilla's) said if they had read these books (Christian literature that was being passed out) before releasing me, they would have killed me.' Celso told us without hesitation. 'But Jesus told me to go. He never said I would come back. Isn't that the life of a Christian?"

Wow. The persecuted church worldwide is the perfect example of what it means to be focused on knowing Jesus and making Him famous. They are the perfect example of being WE focused.

For many in places like Colombia, Pakistan, North Korea, Chine, etc. choosing to follow Christ means that you choose a literal death or the very real possibility of it. It means a life of suffering and hardship and yet they choose to follow.

The could stop there, I guess. They could consider only themselves and the fact that they now have assurance of eternity with Jesus and choose to not share that with anyone else. They could choose to assure their "survival" by remaining quiet and going about their lives but they don't.

They have realized that it's not about them or about being comfortable. Many can do nothing but share the good news about Jesus with others despite the cost. They understand that it's not about THEM but about HIM.

The American church needs a little perspective. Much can be learned from those whose focus is on knowing Christ and making Him known regardless of the personal cost.