For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. Romans 1:16
Okay, I think I’ve figured out my New Year’s resolution. Actually, ‘resolution’ isn’t the right word. It’s more like, my 2008 spiritual goal. My goal for the year 2008 is (cue drum roll and semi-angelic sounding choir in the background): hang out with Christians less!
I need to explain this one. I’ve noticed that I hang out almost exclusively with Christians. I go to church with Christians. After church I play basketball with fellow Christian jocks. I go out for lunch with Christians, watch movies with Christians, and write blog posts to help Christians. Rarely do I find myself in the company of non-Christians. In fact, I don’t even like hanging out with non-Christians that much. I would much rather hang out in my comfortable little Christian bubble, where everybody smiles and music by Steven Curtis Chapman is always on in the background. I’m a selfish Christian.
This really needs to change. I’ve been changed, radically changed, by the message of the gospel. God found me, saved me, changed me, cleansed me, freed me, and is sanctifying me by the power of the gospel. I must share this glorious, life-changing, soul-saving, God-glorifying message with others. I can’t be silent when millions of people around me are on the fast-track to a blistering eternity in hell. The gospel is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes. It’s a powerful, explosive, life-changing message. Oh how I want to share that power with others!
And so by God’s grace I’ll share the gospel with more people in 2008 than I did in 2007. By God’s grace I’ll spend less time hanging out with Christians and more time hanging out with those who don’t know Jesus.
I like Steven Curtis Chapman, but I’m ready for a different soundtrack this year. It’s time to bust my bubble.
What’s your spiritual goal for 2008?
I am back at blogging; visit my site at taota.blogspot.com. When i figure out how to add people to my site, you will be the first one.
Ben
Ben,
I’ll check out your blog. Thanks for adding us…
Good post and a very worthy assignment for the new year. My spiritual goal is get everything i want from God this year (see my first post of the new year).
Thanks for coming by and commenting on my Blog. I’m not even really sure how you discovered that I refrenced you in my post. I’m fairly new to all this blog and techy stuff.
I really enjoy your Blog. Keep Blazing for Christ!
hi stephen,
i am curious what brought you from a comfortable place in the company of other believers to wanting to share more with those that are probably not now in Christ? do you know how you were brought to that change?
nancy
Nancy,
I think that God just made more aware of my need to grow in evangelism. As I considered why I wasn’t growing in evangelism, I realized that part of it was because I simply wasn’t spending time with unbelievers. In light of that I want to grow in spending time with non-Christians. Good question.