1.27.2010

Unnecessary - Joel's Necessity Network... Part 2

To understand this blog, you'll need to be familiar with Joel's Necessity Network Part 1. In brief, I posited that only three things were absolutely necessary in life:

  • A saving, love relationship with Jesus Christ
  • Bringing others into a saving, love relationship with Jesus
  • Wisely managing the resources God has given us to fulfill our commission in Necessary #2

Now for Part 2...


Notice what is lacking from the list. It is not necessary to have a good time. It is not necessary to be comfortable, or even safe. It is not necessary to have the approval of your family or friends. It is not necessary to save the environment, or to make the world a better place.


Let me be very clear. These things are not bad or sinful in themselves; they are simply not of primary importance. If you were in the military and your commanding officer commissioned you to carry a message to another unit, would that mean that you shouldn't grab your boots, or eat supper, or shine the buttons on your coat? No, it just means that these activities are not your top priority. Your job is to carry out your mission effectively and efficiently.


Do you understand my point? I'm not bashing environmentalism, or humanitarianism, or activism, or consensus, or safety, or fun. I'm simply pointing out that as Christians, our first, last, and overarching priority should be Christ and His Kingdom.


Don't try to excuse my point by bringing up Augustine and his idea about how the City of God is dependent on the City of Man. Yes, I appreciate our civic structures, yes, I believe we should vote, yes, the environment is important, yes, the situation in Darfur/Afghanistan/Somalia/Sri Lanka/Haiti is something we should be concerned about, BUT. . . Ultimately, primarily, we have something much more precious and important to offer -- Living Water, the Bread of Life, Overcoming Peace, Eternal Joy, Everlasting Life.


Love your neighbor as yourself, feed the hungry, defend the widows and orphans, help the poor, heal the sick, but do this with the knowledge of the End and a mission of leading others to Christ.


"Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness"


Excelsior

8 comments:

  1. Gospel of the Kingdom vs. Social Gospel?

    I say:
    a) Yes to priority
    b) No to the "versus" clause

    i.e., I think it's more like a "Parent and Child" , less like a "Parent vs. Child."

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  2. Thank you for that helpful analogy. You are correct; I am merely emphasizing one aspect of the full picture.

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  3. I'd never read your blog before, Joel... (I found it on the side of Christy's), but I really like this post. Okay, "like" isn't the right word. I appreciated it, I was enheartened by it... isn't that what our (Christians, humans) communication is for?

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  4. PTL -- I hope I can live up to the standard of Ephesians 4:29 more often.

    Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.

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  5. Thank you Joel, for a moment of refreshing repose in an otherwise, somewhat harried day. First time in 24 hours I've taken a full deep breath! Pam
    http://pamssointoit.blogspot.com/

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  6. You're welcome, Pam :)

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  7. I stumbled on your blog and I dont believe in accidents, just what I needed to hear....I like your words, my spirit says "right on" when I read them, stay groundend my brother :0)

    Lisa Lewis

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  8. Hey Lisa, glad it was a blessing. Thanks for the kind words :)

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Sorry - I was getting too many spam comments so I turned on moderation. As long as you're not a bot or a troll, I'll approve your comment :)