Dear Neighbor,

Did you know that we are all to be human letters to those around us?  So how are things with you?

Scripture:

2 Corinthians 3:3 New International Version (NIV) 

3 You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.

I'm an architect.  Well, for all intents and purposes, I'm an architect.  I'm not licensed, but I could be.  I have the education and experience to adequately meet your design needs. However, by the letter of the (SC) law, I can only design certain spaces up to 5,000 sf...well, here...just read what the law says:

SECTION 40-3-290. Exceptions from coverage of chapter 

(C) If the drawings and specifications are signed by the authors with the true title of their occupations, this chapter does not apply to the preparations of plans and specifications for: 
     (1) a building which is to be used for farm purposes only; 
     (2) a building less than three stories high and containing fewer than five thousand square feet of total floor area except buildings of assembly, institutional, educational, and hazardous occupancies as defined by the Standard Building Code (should read International Building Code - ka) , regardless of area...

Wake up!  Wake up!  It's not the best way to start a blog post you expect others to read, is it?


Now, imagine you and I are neighbors, and you send me an email (letter) which reads, 

"I've got good news and bad news.  We're moving, but we we want you to design our new house.  Can you do that without being a licensed architect?"

Now, I could reply by simply copying and pasting the section of the law above.  

Or...

With a spirit of wanting to serve my neighbor, I could enthusiastically say. "I hate to lose such a good neighbor, but sure, I can help you with that."

Notice which response ends the conversation and decreases the probability of future conversations, and which one doesn't.  Which response is more loving?

Question:

Paul says in his 2nd letter to the Corinthians that we are to be human letters for Christ to those around us. We are to show our neighbors the love of Christ by how we live and conduct ourselves when we are with them.

He explains how in The Old Testament that Moses, after talking directly to God and receiving The Ten Commandments, had to veil his face because it shone so brightly with the glory of God.

He goes on to reason that as New Testament Christians, we have had that veil removed, and in fact, as the face of Christ on earth today, we necessarily share the unveiled glory of God to those we come into contact with on a daily basis.

9 If the ministry that brought condemnation was glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry that brings righteousness!          

- 2 Corinthians 3:9

Does approaching a more abundant (more fulfilling) life in Christ, require that we share God's love with others without any rules or condemnation?  Will we become more like Christ (and shine brighter for Him) as we invite others to witness the unending glory that Christ has died to give all believers? 

   

Answer:

Yes!

17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. 18 And we, who with unveiled faces reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.

- 2 Corinthians 3:17-18 (NIV-84) 

Notice in the scripture that there is "freedom".  Freedom to approach those around us without any pre-conceived notions or prejudices.  Just approach folks and let the love of God shine (through you) onto them.

Remember, we are not responsible for the harvest...just the sowing.  Don't worry about the results, that's God's business.  We simply "reflect the Lord's glory".

Going Forward:

Let's remember that we are always on for Jesus...or more importantly He is always on within us.  My pastor shared a fitting story recently.

He mentioned that stepping out into (potentially uncomfortable) situations that we know The Spirit is leading us into, is something our fleshly selves will always argue against.  "What if I get embarrassed?  What if something I say embarrasses them?  What if they get upset with me?  Do I have the time or energy?"  These are questions we always ask ourselves.

"However," the pastor continued, "I've learned the secret to overcoming that inner turmoil.  I simply respond with a two word statement of Faith...and it works every time. I tell Jesus, 'You're On!' ".

 Let's learn to interact with those around us, as if we are delivering a letter addressed to them from Our Creator.  What a privilege to be chosen to deliver the mail for God!

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Thanks to Taylor Burnett for the use of the image...it's perfect.