Selwyn writes: “If we trace the theme of caring to its source, we find it begins in the heart of the Father Himself. ‘God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son … ’ (John 3:16).

We can rejoice, that our God, is a God who does care. He has by an act of amazing condescension entered into our world, worn our flesh, measured its frailty, and knows exactly how we feel.”

God entering into our environment is a demonstration that He cares about how we feel; and, He gives us solid evidence of His love – death on a cross. He has perfect knowledge about His creation; so, He understands our nature and knows that we needed to have confidence, based on evidence, into the reality of His love. Jesus is the ‘face’ of God’s love.

Selwyn continues to discuss the caring nature of the church in Antioch, in regard to their assistance provided to fellow Christians affected by a severe famine.

He says: “Apparently without a fundraising banquet or a strong emotional appeal, without begging, without oratory, the Christians responded to the need simply because they were sensitised.”

Today’s prayer, is an excellent summary: “O Father, if life is sensitivity then I want to rise to the highest level – to be sensitive to everyone, even enemies. Help me become a more caring person, more outer-centred than self-centred. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”

It’s not in our nature to be sensitive to everyone, even our enemies; it’s only when we have the Spirit of Jesus within us, can we start to love in the same way that He does.

Your view?

In today’s study, Selwyn reiterates what he has been writing about for the last few days.

He says: “The New Testament … provides us with a pattern for the function and operation of the Church in its ministry to God, to those who belong to it, and to the world. … Decreasing emphasis on Jesus leads to decay and disillusionment. Rediscovery of Him leads to revival. Those churches which realise they need to begin again should make sure that they begin where the church at Antioch began – with the good news about the Lord Jesus.”

I totally agree with Selwyn – and, if I can draw out another important aspect of what he has been saying over the past few days is that a solid understanding of Scripture acquired by following the guidance of God’s Spirit is essential in discerning what is a correct biblical pattern.

The spiritual understanding of Scripture takes in the complete message and is not lead astray by erroneous interpretations of the odd verse. Jesus loves us and if we approach Him in prayer, His Spirit will work within us to lead us to a working knowledge of His Word, which is required for us to take the next step along the Way.

What do you think?

Religious organisation that don’t have Christ at their centre usually become inward focused, isolated and bound down by rules enforced by autocratic leader(s) - or, they fly off to the other extreme - jostling with the many social issues that they chance upon; and, as they lack any clear focus they can end up ‘dying of vagueness’.

What does it mean – to be a Christian community? Selwyn writes (slightly modified) in today’s study, “a Christian community that is founded on the good news becomes a true church with Jesus Christ inspiring all their actions and helping them apply His teaching to their life and relationships. He is the pattern and He is the goal. And He is the dynamic that helps them move towards their goal.”

A religious organisation without Christ is subject to the ebbs and flows of cultural tides and such an organisation is constantly thrown about, not knowing where it’s going. A true Christian community is a rock  – it will survive the worst of storms – it does not move away from Christ. The Christian Church will be here on the last day waiting for the return of the one, true God.

Today’s prayer is worth repeating: “O God, grant that the fellowship in which You have placed me may never die of vagueness. Help us to be vitally Christian so that we draw people not to ourselves but to You. In Jesus’ name I ask it. Amen”

I find today’s topic to be very difficult – it’s a topic which saddens me. The main reason is that I often find it hard to detect ‘a core of difference’ between my actions and those non-Christians in community groups, which have been established to help their communities, in one way or another.

To the external, objective observer is there anything in the way I live my life which would prompt someone to ask me the reason for it?  I guess we all struggle with this issue?

Selwyn’s introduction offers encouragement: “In the re-formed Church – the Church ready to meet the challenge of contemporary culture – the basis must ever be ‘the good news about the Lord Jesus’. When the scattered disciples proclaimed this at Antioch we read: ‘The Lord’s hand was with them, and a great number of people believed and turned to the Lord’ (Acts 11:21, NIV).”

The ‘core of difference’, I think, depends on the ‘hand of God being with us’; and, one way of ensuring that we are being guided by God’s Spirit is persistent prayer with a listening heart. What are your views?

I liked the following from today’s study: ‘Christianity has its creeds, but is not a creed. It has its doctrines but it is not a doctrine. It has its rites and ceremonies, but it is not a rite or a ceremony. It has its institutions, but it is not an institution. At its centre is a Person. Christianity is Christ.’

Selwyn’s conclusion is also good: “Every age needs to hear the good news about the Lord Jesus, not just good views about Him. The one is sunlight, the other moonlight.”

Any comments?