Emergence

This is a thank you to Steve for “The Point Of It All” on Sunday March 29th. I would just like to share some of my musings about what was said and how it is helping me stay “on mission”.

I have been a follower of Christ for over 20 years now, but until very recently knew almost nothing about personal redemption. I had a cerebral understanding of redemption. As a result, I had great difficulty taking risks for God and allowing Him to “…will and do…” in me.

I was afraid.

I just didn’t understand what it meant when I read “…for God so loved the world..”. I mean, I knew what it meant cosmically and I knew what it was SUPPOSED to mean personally, but the truth is I just didn’t connect with that radically loving God. 

I knew what I was supposed to do as a Christian in thankful response to His work on the cross:

                Read my bible

                Pray

                Fellowship

                Go to church

                Worship

                Serve

                Love my wife like Christ loves the Church, etc.

Now I know, I will hear you saying, “Ah! you were doing everything in your own strength.” For the most part I would agree with you and I guess I kind of knew it, because the alternative was very scary or at least I was deceived into thinking the cost was too high.

Personal redemption from a double-life would mean I would have to be exposed as an idolater and that would destroy me.

There was a little ember in me that longed to give Him my life and be used by Him in whatever way He saw fit, but I was trapped by a lie.

Well, now I am convinced that Jesus’ love never fails and He is constantly pursuing His children so He can release and REDEEM them. He did just that and a couple of days later revealed to me where I fit into Romans 6, 7 and 8 (my personal crucifixion and resurrection in Christ). I was correct in thinking that being exposed with destroy me, but I BLESS GOD FOR THAT DESTRUCTION! I now read those chapters (and others) with tears in my eyes. “…you will know the truth and the truth will set you free…”

I am also convinced that I have more of me that needs redeeming, transforming…ok DESTROYING and I cannot rest only on what God has done even in my recent past, but without His continual work in me, I will cease to be free to serve him with all my heart.

Emergence’s vision is to love Jesus and from that exchange, love each other, and from that overflow, plow a counter-culture. I can not enter into that vision unless I …”rely on the love God has for us.” 1st John 4:16. When I participate with God in my personal redemption I see the Lord Jesus actively loving me, as a result, I  want to love Him back and let Him love His people through me. In addition I can now actually get giddy wondering what God has in mind for North Jersey and how He is going do His works through “The Redeemed” at Emergence in plowing a counter-culture of love!